tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79524506817862010732024-03-05T19:44:38.424-08:00Letters From The Governing Body Of Jehovah's WitnessesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger449125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952450681786201073.post-2686981300056898902015-06-20T14:29:00.003-07:002015-06-20T14:29:41.043-07:00IIs this an example of cult control, or what?<img data-height="569" data-id="c50ea2cee3e7c1b15182c417b4a654ad" data-lazy-img="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/2195BOFlfGdXDdcFM0dkJLein_N7EHMHL1dDXn-Da32Altxl4SUX0RUuVUOV_FcYlQRL4bQodg4lUNx4LPaD7y3VHg" data-size="264.2 KB" data-width="612" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/2195BOFlfGdXDdcFM0dkJLein_N7EHMHL1dDXn-Da32Altxl4SUX0RUuVUOV_FcYlQRL4bQodg4lUNx4LPaD7y3VHg=s612" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952450681786201073.post-78183564470677593272015-06-01T03:47:00.001-07:002015-06-01T03:47:30.284-07:00Is the Watchtower STILL preaching that the end will come any day now?<div class="post-body">
They just posted the Simplified August 2015 Study Watchtower on <a href="http://jw.org/" rel="nofollow" style="background: transparent url("http://www.google.com/s2/favicons?domain=jw.org") no-repeat scroll left center; padding-left: 20px;">JW.org</a>.<br />
Paragraph 11 of the "Expectation!" Article says this:<br />
"<span>So even if we feel that we have been waiting a long time, this does not </span><span> </span><span>mean that the end is far away or that it is not coming in our lifetime."</span><span><br /></span>
<span>Whose lifetime? An 80-year-old Witness' lifetime or a 40-year-old's? 10-year-old's?</span><br />
<span>How do they know?</span><br />
<span>Seems like I heard this before?</span><br />
<span>"Millions now living will never die!" (circa 1925)</span><br />
<br />
<span>Sheesh! They just never stop. </span><br />
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952450681786201073.post-75950700569388461682015-02-16T01:08:00.001-08:002015-02-16T01:08:37.814-08:00A new explanation for the identity of GOG OF MAGODCan these people get anything right the first time. It has long been a wonder to me how anyone in their right mind could put trust in an organization that just cannot get its story right. About anything. No, it's not just that the "light is getting brighter." They are scraping old explanations left and right and giving us new ones which, undoubtedly, they will also scrap and come up with even newer ones.<br />
<br />
<div class="bodyTxt">
<div class="section" id="section1">
<h2 class="p2" data-pid="2" id="p2">
Who is Gog of Magog mentioned in the book of Ezekiel?</h2>
<div class="pGroup">
<div class="p3" data-pid="3" id="p3">
For a number of years, our
publications have explained that Gog of Magog is the name given to Satan
the Devil after his ouster from heaven. This explanation was based on
the fact that the book of Revelation identifies Satan the Devil as the
leader of the worldwide attack on God’s people. (<a class="jsBibleLink jsNoScroll" data-bible="nwt" data-targetverses="66012001-66012017" href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/nwt/books/revelation/12/#v66012001-v66012017" target="_blank">Rev. 12:1-17</a>) So it was thought that Gog must be another prophetic name for Satan.</div>
<div class="p4" data-pid="4" id="p4">
However, that explanation raised some
important questions. Why so? Consider this: When referring to the time
that Gog is defeated, Jehovah says regarding Gog: “I will give you as
food to all kinds of birds of prey and the wild beasts of the field.” (<a class="jsBibleLink jsNoScroll" data-bible="nwt" data-targetverses="26039004" href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/nwt/books/ezekiel/39/#v26039004" target="_blank">Ezek. 39:4</a>)
Then Jehovah adds: “On that day I will give Gog a burial place there in
Israel . . . That is where they will bury Gog and all his hordes.” (<a class="jsBibleLink jsNoScroll" data-bible="nwt" data-targetverses="26039011" href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/nwt/books/ezekiel/39/#v26039011" target="_blank">Ezek. 39:11</a>)
But how could a spirit creature be eaten by “birds of prey and the wild
beasts of the field”? How could Satan be given “a burial place” on
earth? The Bible clearly shows that Satan will be abyssed for 1,000
years, not eaten or buried.<wbr></wbr>—<a class="jsBibleLink jsNoScroll" data-bible="nwt" data-targetverses="66020001-66020002" href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/nwt/books/revelation/20/#v66020001-v66020002" target="_blank">Rev. 20:1, 2</a>.</div>
<div class="p5" data-pid="5" id="p5">
We are told that at the end of the
1,000 years, Satan will be released from the abyss, and “he will go out
to mislead those nations in the four corners of the earth, Gog and
Magog, to gather them together for the war.” (<a class="jsBibleLink jsNoScroll" data-bible="nwt" data-targetverses="66020008" href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/nwt/books/revelation/20/#v66020008" target="_blank">Rev. 20:8</a>)
But how can Satan mislead Gog if he himself is Gog? Therefore, “Gog”
does not refer to Satan in either Ezekiel’s prophecy or the book of
Revelation.</div>
<div class="p6" data-pid="6" id="p6">
Who, then, is Gog of Magog? To answer
that question, we need to search the Scriptures to find out who attacks
God’s people. The Bible speaks not only of the attack by ‘Gog of Magog’
but also of the attack by “the king of the north” and of the attack by
“the kings of the earth.” (<a class="jsBibleLink jsNoScroll" data-bible="nwt" data-targetverses="26038002" href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/nwt/books/ezekiel/38/#v26038002" target="_blank">Ezek. 38:2,</a><a class="jsBibleLink jsNoScroll" data-bible="nwt" data-targetverses="26038010-26038013" href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/nwt/books/ezekiel/38/#v26038010-v26038013" target="_blank"> 10-13;</a><a class="jsBibleLink jsNoScroll" data-bible="nwt" data-targetverses="27011040" href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/nwt/books/daniel/11/#v27011040" target="_blank"> Dan. 11:40,</a><a class="jsBibleLink jsNoScroll" data-bible="nwt" data-targetverses="27011044-27011045" href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/nwt/books/daniel/11/#v27011044-v27011045" target="_blank"> 44, 45;</a><a class="jsBibleLink jsNoScroll" data-bible="nwt" data-targetverses="66017014" href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/nwt/books/revelation/17/#v66017014" target="_blank"> Rev. 17:14;</a><a class="jsBibleLink jsNoScroll" data-bible="nwt" data-targetverses="66019019" href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/nwt/books/revelation/19/#v66019019" target="_blank"> 19:19</a>)
Do these represent separate attacks? Not likely. The Bible is no doubt
referring to the same attack under different names. Why can we draw that
conclusion? Because the Scriptures tell us that all the nations of the
earth will be involved in this final attack that prompts the war of
Armageddon.<wbr></wbr>—<a class="jsBibleLink jsNoScroll" data-bible="nwt" data-targetverses="66016014" href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/nwt/books/revelation/16/#v66016014" target="_blank">Rev. 16:14,</a><a class="jsBibleLink jsNoScroll" data-bible="nwt" data-targetverses="66016016" href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/nwt/books/revelation/16/#v66016016" target="_blank"> 16</a>.</div>
<div class="south_center zoom" id="f1">
<figure>
<a class="zoom" href="http://assets.jw.org/assets/m/w15/20150515/w15_20150515_E.art/2015364_E_cnt_1_xl.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="A time line of the attack of Gog of Magog, starting at the beginning of the great tribulation" class="south_center zoom" src="http://assets.jw.org/assets/m/w15/20150515/w15_20150515_E.art/2015364_E_cnt_1_lg.jpg" /></a>
</figure>
</div>
<div class="p7" data-pid="7" id="p7">
<span class="pageNum refID" data-before-text="30" data-no="30" id="page30"> </span>When
we compare all these Scriptural references about the final attack on
God’s people, it becomes evident that the name Gog of Magog refers, not
to Satan, but to a coalition of nations. Will this coalition be led by
the figurative “king of the north”? We cannot say with any certainty.
But this thought does seem to be in harmony with what Jehovah says about
Gog: “You will come from your place, from the remotest parts of the <em>north, </em>you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great assembly, a vast army.”<wbr></wbr>—<a class="jsBibleLink jsNoScroll" data-bible="nwt" data-targetverses="26038006" href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/nwt/books/ezekiel/38/#v26038006" target="_blank">Ezek. 38:6,</a><a class="jsBibleLink jsNoScroll" data-bible="nwt" data-targetverses="26038015" href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/nwt/books/ezekiel/38/#v26038015" target="_blank"> 15</a>.</div>
<div class="p8" data-pid="8" id="p8">
Similarly, the prophet Daniel, who
was a contemporary of Ezekiel, says of the king of the north: “Reports
out of the east and out of the north will disturb him, and he will go
out in a great rage to annihilate and to devote many to destruction. And
he will plant his royal tents between the grand sea and the holy
mountain of Decoration; and he will come all the way to his end, and
there will be no helper for him.” (<a class="jsBibleLink jsNoScroll" data-bible="nwt" data-targetverses="27011044-27011045" href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/nwt/books/daniel/11/#v27011044-v27011045" target="_blank">Dan. 11:44, 45</a>) This clearly parallels what the book of Ezekiel says about Gog’s activities.<wbr></wbr>—<a class="jsBibleLink jsNoScroll" data-bible="nwt" data-targetverses="26038008-26038012" href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/nwt/books/ezekiel/38/#v26038008-v26038012" target="_blank">Ezek. 38:8-12,</a><a class="jsBibleLink jsNoScroll" data-bible="nwt" data-targetverses="26038016" href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/nwt/books/ezekiel/38/#v26038016" target="_blank"> 16</a>.</div>
<div class="p9" data-pid="9" id="p9">
What occurs next as a result of this
final attack? Daniel tells us: “During that time Michael [Jesus Christ]
will stand up [at Armageddon], the great prince who is standing [since
1914] in behalf of your people. And there will occur a time of distress
[the great tribulation] such as has not occurred since there came to be a
nation until that time. And during that time your people will escape,
everyone who is found written down in the book.” (<a class="jsBibleLink jsNoScroll" data-bible="nwt" data-targetverses="27012001" href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/nwt/books/daniel/12/#v27012001" target="_blank">Dan. 12:1</a>) This action on the part of God’s representative Jesus is also described at <a class="jsBibleLink jsNoScroll" data-bible="nwt" data-targetverses="66019011-66019021" href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/nwt/books/revelation/19/#v66019011-v66019021" target="_blank">Revelation 19:11-21</a>.</div>
<div class="p10" data-pid="10" id="p10">
But who is referred to as “Gog and Magog” at <a class="jsBibleLink jsNoScroll" data-bible="nwt" data-targetverses="66020008" href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/nwt/books/revelation/20/#v66020008" target="_blank">Revelation 20:8</a>?
During the final test at the end of the 1,000 years, those who rebel
against Jehovah will manifest the same murderous attitude as ‘Gog of
Magog,’ those nations that attack God’s people at the end of the great
tribulation. And the outcome for both groups will be exactly the same<wbr></wbr>—everlasting death! (<a class="jsBibleLink jsNoScroll" data-bible="nwt" data-targetverses="66019020-66019021" href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/nwt/books/revelation/19/#v66019020-v66019021" target="_blank">Rev. 19:20, 21;</a><a class="jsBibleLink jsNoScroll" data-bible="nwt" data-targetverses="66020009" href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/nwt/books/revelation/20/#v66020009" target="_blank"> 20:9</a>) It seems fitting, then, that all those rebels at the end of the Millennium be called “Gog and Magog.”</div>
<div class="south_center zoom" id="f2">
<figure>
<a class="zoom" href="http://assets.jw.org/assets/m/w15/20150515/w15_20150515_E.art/2015364_E_cnt_2_xl.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="A time line of the attack of Gog and Magog at the end of the 1,000 years" class="south_center zoom" src="http://assets.jw.org/assets/m/w15/20150515/w15_20150515_E.art/2015364_E_cnt_2_lg.jpg" /></a>
</figure>
</div>
<div class="p11" data-pid="11" id="p11">
As keen students of God’s Word, we
wait with eager anticipation to see who in the near future will assume
the role of “the king of the north.” But no matter who may take the lead
in this coalition of nations, we are certain of two things: (1) Gog of
Magog and his armies will be defeated and destroyed; and (2) our
reigning King, Jesus Christ, will save God’s people and usher them into a
new world of peace and true security.<wbr></wbr>—<a class="jsBibleLink jsNoScroll" data-bible="nwt" data-targetverses="66007014-66007017" href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/nwt/books/revelation/7/#v66007014-v66007017" target="_blank">Rev. 7:14-17</a>.</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<nav>
<div class="articleNavLinks clearfix">
<div class="navLinkNext">
<a href="http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/w20150515/convention-cafeteria-love/" title="He Saw That Love Ran the Cafeteria">
<span class="spritePrev"></span> <span class="linkTxt "></span><span class="spriteNext"></span>
</a>
</div>
</div>
</nav>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952450681786201073.post-31487215237782016262015-01-06T00:15:00.003-08:002015-01-06T00:15:51.679-08:00BOE Letter November 6, 2014: Procedures when legal issues are involved<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: medium;">Here's the link: <a class="c_nobdr t_prs" href="http://imgur.com/a/z4K2t" target="_blank">http://imgur.com/a/z4K2t</a></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: medium;">Incredible! </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952450681786201073.post-9048707284761883902014-11-23T18:14:00.003-08:002014-11-23T18:14:34.289-08:00Are the Teachings of the Governing Body a Scam?Looking at all the doctrinal teachings over the last five years, it's
almost impossible for any person of conscience who originated such
doctrine to do a complete u-turn and change it <em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">and still believe</span></em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> it</span> when the passage of time has proved beyond doubt that doctrine is no longer credible.<br />
I say this with reference to the Generation of 1914. They were <em>so sure. </em>It was part of the <em>Awake!</em> masthead for decades that those who saw the events of 1914 would also see the Great Tribulation.<br />
Now, imagine the old GB 1.0. For decades they believed and
taught that the 1914 generation would not pass before the GT began. In
the 1993 conventions there were rumors that there would be a change and
in 1994 there was little mention of the generation of 1914 that year,
which was by now already <em>eighty years old</em>.<br />
Until 1995 - the <em>Awake!</em> masthead removes reference to 1914 and leaves the beginning of the tribulation open-ended.<br />
So what were the then Governing Body members actually thinking? Could
they still believe with all their heart that their 1914 Generation was
really true? Surely some doubts must have set in?<br />
So when the changes begin in 1995 this continues on for the next
decade until more changes are announced. The generation of 1914 are
first the anointed, then the wicked people living in the mid 1990s, then
back to the anointed.<br />
Until 2012 or so when the generation becomes two overlapping generations.<br />
Can anyone see how utterly ridiculous this is? We laugh at this and
wonder how could the GB believe this crap? Seriously? Two overlapping
generations?<br />
Then this new revised teaching starts to get printed in the new releases at this year's district convention.<br />
And I'm beginning to wonder about the sincerity of the Governing Body.<br />
Either they are fooling themselves OR they are perpetuating a SCAM on the body of believers.<br />
I am now inclined to think, that this is not a group of seven
misguided elderly anointed who sincerely believe they have the truth,
because no sane person could possibly u-turn so many times on one single
teaching and yet still believe they had the truth...so...<br />
I am of the strong opinion that they have been caught with
their pants down - chronology has backed them in a corner, and they have
no way out except to change the teaching, but in doing so they have
lost credibility among themselves and the flock who wait in perpetuity
for the Great Tribulation.<br />
They are deliberately and wilfully perpetuating a scam to fool the
masses because they have to keep the Great Watchtower engine well oiled
or the whole thing comes to an end.<br />
Hence all the distractions, like the grey Bible, the JW.org web site etc.<br />
We're not dealing with sincere elderly anointed who genuinely believe what they teach but scam artists.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952450681786201073.post-54607307533333964912014-11-02T01:15:00.002-07:002014-11-02T01:15:22.909-07:00Why is the organization always begging for money......<br />
<ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-4963413421914369" data-ad-slot="4518615242" data-adsbygoogle-status="done" style="float: right; height: 600px; margin: 5px 5px 5px 15px; width: 300px;"><ins id="aswift_1_expand" style="background-color: transparent; border: none; display: inline-table; height: 600px; margin: 0; padding: 0; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 300px;"><ins id="aswift_1_anchor" style="background-color: transparent; border: none; display: block; height: 600px; margin: 0; padding: 0; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 300px;"></ins></ins></ins>
<br />
<a href="http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/135M-Awarded-to-Bible-Teacher-Gonzalo-Campos-Alleged-Abuse-Victim-Jose-Lopez-281031832.html#" rel="nofollow">http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/135M-Awarded-to-Bible-Teacher-Gonzalo-Campos-Alleged-Abuse-Victim-Jose-Lopez-281031832.html#</a><br />
The National Organization for Jehovah's Witnesses was ordered to pay
$13.5 million to a San Diego man who says he was abused as a child by
his Bible teacher. NBC 7's Rory Devine reports on Oct. 30, 2014.
(Published Thursday, Oct 30, 2014)
Thursday, Oct 30, 2014 • Updated at 9:46 PM PDT<br />
A $13.5 million
judgment was awarded Wednesday to a San Diego man who says he was the
childhood victim of “very aggressive abuse” at the hands of his Bible
study teacher.<br />
Jose Lopez, now 35 years old, came forward as one of eight children
who accuse Gonzalo Campos of sexually abusing them between 1982 and
1995, according to his lawsuit<br />
Campos served in the leadership of the Linda Vista Spanish
Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses and Playa Pacifica Spanish
Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Pacific Beach, Lopez’s attorney
Irwin Zalkin told NBC 7.<br />
In about 1986, when Lopez was 7 years old, Campos was first
introduced and portrayed to him as a fatherly figure who could teach him
about the Bible<br />
Instead, the accused perpetrator used his position and time alone with Lopez to groom him, according to Zalkin.<br />
"After a period of grooming him, which Campos was very adept at, one
day he took him and he seriously molested him in a private residence,"
he said<br />
The attorney believes Campos would take his victims to a home his mother cleaned in La Jolla.<br />
Although the alleged molestation happened on one occasion, the high
amount awarded by a judge reflects the severe consequences Lopez has
faced as a result, including post-traumatic stress disorder, addiction
and trust issues, Zalkin explained.<br />
But the lawsuit does not seek damages from Campos himself, or even the Linda Vista congregation.<br />
Instead, it names the defendant as the Watchtower Bible and Tract
Society of New York, the entity that oversees Jehovah’s Witness
churches.<br />
Zalkin said $10.5 million of the amount was for punitive damages as a result of the Watchtower’s response to the Campos scandal.<br />
"Damages that reflect the reprehensible conduct of the Watchtower in
how they covered this up for years and allowed multiple children to be
injured,” said Zalkin. “They protected and harbored a criminal."<br />
The Watchtower told NBC 7 it plans to appeal the judgment, saying the
award given after a hearing at which it was barred from participating.<br />
“Jehovah’s Witnesses abhor child abuse and strive to protect children
from such acts,” the organization said in a statement. “The trial
judge’s decision is a drastic action for any judge to take given the
circumstances of the case. We will seek a full review of this case on
appeal.”<br />
As for Campos, Zalkin said he is in Mexico, where he moved as soon as they started investigating this case.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952450681786201073.post-3094812176893606792014-10-18T19:39:00.001-07:002014-10-18T19:39:52.447-07:00Watchtower/IBSA Buys Waterfront Mansion for $1.46M- jw.org<img alt="http://www.watchtower.exposed/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/mansion0001.jpg" class="shrinkToFit decoded" height="566" src="http://www.watchtower.exposed/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/mansion0001.jpg" width="726" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952450681786201073.post-15857436441047038582014-09-30T23:57:00.002-07:002014-09-30T23:57:27.098-07:00Jehovah’s Witness sex abuse victims call for organisation to be held accountablehttp://www.itv.com/news/wales/2014-09-29/jehovahs-witness-sex-abuse-victims-call-for-organisation-to-be-held-accountable/<br />
<br />
The Jehovah’s Witness organisation has often been described as the
“greatest preaching campaign the world has ever known”. They are a
close-knit community of evangelical Christians well known for going door
to door, handing out literature about their faith. They do not have
blood transfusions, serve in the military, celebrate Christmas or
birthdays. But now, claims are emerging from some past and present
members of the church that there may be a pattern of sex abuse that the
organisation has not only failed to report but has actually helped to
keep from the authorities.<br />
<br />
In June, 53-year-old Mark Sewell from Barry was jailed for 14 years
after being found guilty of eight historic sex offences. The judge at
Merthyr Crown Court said Sewell had used his position of power as an
elder in the Jehovah’s Witnesses to exploit and abuse women and
children. There have been 25 similar convictions in Jehovah’s Witness
congregations across the UK in the last four years. Two of Mark Sewell’s
victims have waived their rights to anonimity and have spoken to talk
to Wales This Week after claiming the organisation has kept allegations
of abuse hidden. <strong>Wales This Week - Witness to The Truth, Tonight at 8pm on ITV Cymru Wales.</strong><br />
<br />
<div class="item__content-block item__content-block--markdown">
Karen Morgan was 12 when Mark Sewell started abusing her. Karen and
her family were members of the Kingdom Hall in Barry. As another
member of the congregation, Mark Sewell was not only a brother to them
in church terms, he also became a real member of the family after he
married Karen’s aunt. <br />
</div>
<div class="item__content-block item__content-block--quote newsapp-icon newsapp-icon-ui_icon-15">
<div class="quote">
<div class="quote__content">
<blockquote>
He would sort of lay next to me and pull me up on top of him and he
would get into bed with me in the night wearing just his underpants. He
came into the bathroom when I was in the shower.<br />
</blockquote>
</div>
<div class="quote__cite">
<cite class="quote__cite-text">– Karen Morgan, Victim</cite>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="item__content-block item__content-block--markdown">
She reported it to her parents but she was told she had misunderstood her uncle’s affections. <br />
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the bible is the literal translation
of God’s word. It says when a brother has sinned, you should first
confront him before going elsewhere. <br />
</div>
<div class="item__content-block item__content-block--quote newsapp-icon newsapp-icon-ui_icon-15">
<div class="quote">
<div class="quote__content">
<blockquote>
If your brother commits a sin, go lay bare his fault between you and
him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained a brother. But if he
does not listen, take along one or two more, in order that at the mouth
of two or three witnesses every matter be established. <br />
</blockquote>
</div>
<div class="quote__cite">
<cite class="quote__cite-text">– Matthew: Chapter 18 verses 15-16</cite>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="item__content-block item__content-block--markdown">
Karen was now in a particularly awkward situation, as she had to face Sewell in a series of meetings, at HIS home.<br />
Mark Sewell was an elder in the organisation. Which placed him in a
position of considerable trust. It was Karen’s word against his and so
Karen spent the next two years feeling ignored and disbelieved.<br />
<br />
Marc and Cora are two former Jehovah’s Witnesses who campaign to give a
voice to victims like Karen. Based in Cheltenham, the couple helped
launch Advocates for the Awareness of Watchtower Abuses, or AAWA. <br />
<br />
<div class="item__content-block item__content-block--markdown">
The Watchtower is the Jehovah’s headquarters in New York. Marc and
Cora feel the church is instilling a culture of undue influence which
violates the basic human rights of its members, especially in the
protection of children. They say a series of letters and a secret
handbook purely for the eyes of elders looks at protecting the
organisation first and foremost over and above that of the victim. <br />
</div>
<div class="item__content-block item__content-block--quote newsapp-icon newsapp-icon-ui_icon-15">
<div class="quote">
<div class="quote__content">
<blockquote>
We are trying to change the whole policy of the the way that they
look at the individual that is being accused because this is somebody
that can continue to carry on abusing people. They don’t see it as a
crime, they see it as a sin, they see it as a weakness of that person. <br />
They also say that:<br />
The secrecy surrounding any allegations of abuse around molestation
or rape were, are so tightly controlled by the organisation that most
Jehovah’s Witness, your average witness does not know anything about it.
<br />
</blockquote>
</div>
<div class="quote__cite">
<cite class="quote__cite-text">– Marc and Cora, Advocates for the Awareness of Watchtower Abuses</cite>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="item__content-block item__content-block--markdown">
Marc and Cora say the fundamental reasons there is such an issue
revolve around the misguided application of the two witness rule and the
instruction that elders must handle accusations internally rather than
go straight to the police. <br />
</div>
<div class="item__content-block item__content-block--quote newsapp-icon newsapp-icon-ui_icon-15">
<div class="quote">
<div class="quote__content">
<blockquote>
They have this two witness rule which covers everything so it could
be someone smoked, they would have to be seen by two separate people. Or
it could be a child has been abused and that abuse would have to be
seen by two separate people and when does anybody ever see a child get
abused.<br />
</blockquote>
</div>
<div class="quote__cite">
<cite class="quote__cite-text">– Karen Morgan, Victim</cite></div>
<div class="quote__cite">
<cite class="quote__cite-text"> </cite></div>
<div class="quote__cite">
<figure class="item__content-block item__content-block--with-caption
item__content-block--image"><figcaption class="item__content-block__media-info">Shepherd The Flock of God is a manual handed to all elders. <cite></cite></figcaption>
</figure>
<div class="item__content-block item__content-block--markdown">
The book tells elders they should never suggest that a victim
should not go to the police. It says they should inform victims that
it’s their personal decision. However, it clearly states this
information should only be given if directly asked and only after
guidance has been sought from the branch office, or Bethel. <br />
Karen spent 20 years fighting to be believed as she did not have
another witness. It was only 17 years later after 3 other women came
forward that she was successful in getting Mark Sewell before a jury. <br />
The Jehovah’s Witness Organisation say that they have “an absolute
and unequivocal abhorrence of child abuse”, they “work in harmony with
the law” and “do not condone” child abuse under any circumstance. They
also do not “shield from the authorities anyone committing offences of
this nature.”<br />
They went on to say that they “support any victim or parent who
reports this horrible crime to the authorities”. And that “such
authorities have the absolute right to investigate, try and punish
criminals.”<br />
In relation to the Mark Sewell case specifically, the church claims
that “he has not been a member of the Barry Congregation of Jehovah’s
Witnesses, nor has he been in any position of responsibility, for twenty
years.” They say “It is a matter of public record that when allegations
of child abuse involving his family members first surfaced, the police
were informed and investigated the case.” They were also “not aware of
any congregation or one of its members obstructing police inquiries.
Such would be contrary to their beliefs, practices and child
safeguarding policy.”<br />
The Home Office has ordered a major inquiry into why historic cases
of child abuse have been hidden for so long. Now Karen and AAWA have
called for the Jehovah’s Witness organisation to be scrutinised as part
of that investigation.<br />
The Home Office told us it was still early days and that:<br />
</div>
<div class="item__content-block item__content-block--quote newsapp-icon newsapp-icon-ui_icon-15">
<div class="quote">
<div class="quote__content">
<blockquote>
Details of what will and will not be included in the scope of the inquiry will be clearer after the terms of reference are set<br />
</blockquote>
</div>
<div class="quote__cite">
<cite class="quote__cite-text">– Home Office Spokesperson</cite>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="item__content-block item__content-block--markdown">
With Sewell now firmly behind bars, Karen and his victims are
looking to hold the governing body of the Jehovah’s Witnesses
responsible for what has happened. <br />
</div>
<cite class="quote__cite-text"> </cite>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<figure class="item__content-block item__content-block--with-caption
item__content-block--image"><figcaption class="item__content-block__media-info">Candace Conti was abused by a fellow Jehovah's Witness at the age of 9. <cite></cite></figcaption>
</figure>
<div class="item__content-block item__content-block--markdown">
They have employed a firm which is part of a network that recently
helped 28 year old Candace Conti from California win a landmark ruling
against the organisation. She won 28 million dollars in damages, after
she was abused by another Jehovah’s Witness at the age of 9 years old. <br />
To hear more of this story catch <strong>Wales This Week - Witness to The Truth</strong>, <strong>Tonight at 8pm</strong> on <strong>ITV Cymru Wales</strong>. <br />
For further information: <br />
<a href="http://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/activities/help-community/safeguarding-children-sexual-abuse/" target="_blank">JW.org</a>
<a href="http://aawa.co/" target="_blank">AAWA</a><br />
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952450681786201073.post-25403412706763500072014-07-06T03:20:00.003-07:002014-07-06T03:23:30.664-07:00The Complete Scammer's Guide - by "Pastor" RussellMost of us are reasonably familiar with reports of scandalous goings-on of that old jellyfish lecher, the founder of the Watchtower Cult, the one and only Charles Taze Russell.<br />
But, are these stories true?<br />
This thread is going to be devoted to his allegedly scurrilous activities. So, bookmark it, please, Bro' Focus is in possession of Noo Light, and we're going to explore Russell like you've never seen him explored before.<br />
We're approaching his 100th Death Anniversary, and for all I know this virtual exhumation may lead to a real one. We know where the body <em>lies</em>.<br />
Why bother, it is so long ago, do I hear?<br />
<strong>Since Russell's the only reason God allegedly picked the Watchtower Society in the first place, rather than any of other Millenarian (and Millerismic - the link via Storrs is obvious) charismatic cults of the time, he merits close examination. Very close examination indeed!</strong><br />
<br />
During our exploration of the morals and ethics of the good "Pastor", you are going to become familiar with "his" local paper, the <strong>BROOKLYN DAILY EAGLE</strong>.<br />
This newspaper had more than a warm relationship with Russell - it was a positively hot one!<br />
We move to a hitherto unreported (online) and apparently unnoticed account from 1911 of a scam Russell pulled - it took years to come out:<br />
<br />
BROOKLYN DAILY EAGLE<br />
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 5, 1911.<br />
<strong>PASTOR RUSSELL A CLEVER FINANCIER</strong><br />
<strong>Duped Prominent Pittsburg Clergymen Into Supporting Cemetery Scheme.</strong><br />
<strong>HIS "DUMMY" TRANSACTIONS.</strong><br />
<strong>Ministers Didn't Know They Were "Boosting" Deal of Man They Opposed.</strong><br />
(Special to The Eagle)<br />
Pittsburg, November 4 - That "Pastor" Russell succeeded in getting the four leading clergymen of Pittsburg, including , the Episcopal bishop of this diocese and the Rev. S. Edward Young, now pastor of the Bedford Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn, to lend their names and influence to further the financial prosperity of a cemetery which he controls, is shown by some hitherto unpublished records on file in this city.<br />
The story of this cemetery deal involves a variety of dummy transactions that would do credit to a Wall Street banking expert.<br />
So cleverly did Russell manipulate the deal that the Rev. Cortland Whitehead the venerable Episcopal bishop of this diocese; the late Rev. Dr. B. F. Woodburn, for forty years a lender of the Baptist clergy here; the Rev. S. Edward Young, the leading clergyman of the Presbyterian Church, and the Rev. J. W. Witherspoon, the leading minister of the United Presbyterian Church, which is probably the most powerful church organizatlon of this city. All of whom were bitterly opposed to Russell's teaching and methods, accepted the position of trustees on the Russell cemetery board before they found out that they had been duped.<br />
<strong>The "Pastor" Sees a Good Chance for a Cemetery.</strong><br />
"Pastor" Russell, who has always been counted as a good judge of Pittsburg real estate, a few years ago discovered a plot of ground lying along the old Ruysville road, which is a continuation of Federal street just beyond the city limits, that appealed to him as admirably adapted for cemetery purposes. He figured that there was a good opening for a cemetery in Pittsburg and was looking for a suitable plot of ground to get one started.<br />
The property was purchased for $27,000 by Brother W. E. Van Ambergh, who was a railroad man in the South before he became a Russell Pilgrim and assumed the important duties of treasurer of the Peoples Pulpit Association, which is one of the big Russell corporations. Van Ambergh is now one of the big financial men in the Brooklyn headquarters.<br />
Van Ambergh was pretty well known In Pittsburg as a Russell satellite, so it was not deemed advisable for him to hold title to the property. Morever, Van Ambergh is one of those who are supposed to be serving the "Cause" for $10 a month and expenses, and it might have occasioned surprise to find him the possessor of a $27,000 piece of property. At any rate Van Ambergh, very shortly after acquiring the property, sold it for $30,000 to the United States Investment Company.<br />
<strong>Courts Declared Transfers of Russell to Be Frauds.</strong><br />
This Investment company is a dummy corporation to which "Pastor" Russell transferred a lot of oil stocks, mining stocks and other property at about the time his wife was trying to collect the alimony awarded to her by the courts Some of transfers which "Pastor" Russell made at this time, were made, the courts declared "in fraud upon his wife." Although it at one time held property worth more than $50,000. this company is capitalized for only $1,000. Of this total "Pastor" Russell holds $990. Brother Bohnet, of Miracle Wheat fame, holds $5 and Brother Ernest C. Henninges (who married Rose Ball and departed with her for Australia shortly before Mrs. Russell's suit for separation came to trial, owns the remaining $5.<br />
It is from the United States Investment Company that the Rosemount. Mount Hope end Evergreen United Cemeteries bought the land, which thus lost all direct association with "Pastor" Russell's name. Through some of his friends and followers "Pastor" Russell had persuaded the four eminent Pittsburg divines to lend their names to the cemetery project. In some way not clearly explained this cemetery was supposed to benefit poor people. On April 18, 1905, the Rosemount, Mount Hope and Evergreen United Cemeteries was incorporated under the laws of Pennsylvania by the following: John G. F. Kuehn, John G. Messner, J. H. Giesey, C J. Woodworth and J. Adam Bohnet, all Russellites. The original board of trustees included John G. F. Kuehn, John G. Messner, J. H Giesey, C. J. Woodworth. C. T. Russell, W. W. Giffen, H. A. Guepner, William M. Wright, Francis Winton and the four Pittsburg clergymen to whom reference has been made - Bishop Cortland Whitehead, the Rev. S. Edward Young, Dr. B. F. Woodburn and the Rev. J. W. Witherspoon.<br />
So far as can be learned, the four reverend men did not attend any of the meetings of the board of trustees, which were held at the Russell headquarters, in the Bible House, on Arch street, Alleghany. If they had, they might have learned that, by virtue of a secret agreement, duly filed in the proper recording office in Pittsburg, although its text is known only to the real insiders, the United States Investment Company retains an important measure of control over the property it sold to the Cemeteries Corporation. The agreement carefully prescribes what the Cemeteries Corporation may do with the property, and forbids its sale without the consent or the United States Investment Company.<br />
<strong>''Treasurer and President" Was Only a Figurehead.</strong><br />
J. G. Messner, an insurance agent, with an office at 324 Fourth avenue, who was president of the board of trustees, says that he himself knew precious little about the business.<br />
"Russell told me to act as treasurer and president of the board of trustees," he said to an Eagle representative who questioned him about his connection with the cemetery deal.<br />
The business was all done somewhere else. Then one day Russell telephoned to me: 'Messner,' he said. 'I know you're a busy man. I've got a girl in the office here who can handle the money for the Cemeteries. Just send me a check for what money you have on hand, and I'll take care of the business from now on.' I sent him a check for several hundred dollars, which, for some reason, he kept on hand and didn't cash. I only learned of this later, when I got notice that the bank in which the money was deposited had failed."<br />
Messner was asked what had become of the property.<br />
"I believe it is being run by some of Russell's local representatives." he answered. "I understand they are selling a good many lots and doing quite a business. It has a beautiful location and probably was a good investment."<br />
It was this cemetery deal which helped to open Messner s eyes to Russell's operations, and he severed his connection with the Russellites soon after it was put through.<br />
<strong>Pastor Had No Idea Russell Was Connected With Scheme.</strong><br />
The Rev. S. Edward Young, pastor of the Bedford Presbyterian Church of this city, when shown the above dispatch at his home at 1035 Prospect place, wrote out the following statement:<br />
"I recall that several years ago - probably seven or eight years - I was asked to serve as trustee of a new cemetery which had some such name as the Rosemount, Mount Hope and Evergreen United Cemeteries; that Bishop Whitehead of the Protestant Episcopal Church diocese of Pittsburgh, Dr Woodburn, pastor of the First Baptist Church, Alleghany, and other ministers and laymen well-known to me, were to be fellow trustees.<br />
"Upon being persuaded in my own mind that the enterprise was hardly the sort of one I had been assured it would be, I served notice that my name should be dropped from the list of trustees. I never attended a meeting of the trustees or any meeting with anybody in connection with the matter, and really do not know what became of the enterprise, whether it took actual form and became operative or not. I put no money in it, had no stock in it, no promise of stock or other interest. The Eagle's dispatch is the first intimation I have had of Pastor Russell's relation to the properties."<br />
<br />
<em>A true old time scammer and swindler, who knew how to sell and promote money making schemes.</em><br />
<em>His biggest fraud was what the WTS. produced, exploiting the established public belief in the bible</em><br />
<em>to promote the WTS's publications..</em><br />
<em>Jesus didn't return back then but a swindler/charlatan operating his own publishing house did appear and</em><br />
<em>founded a pseudo religion based from his deceiving commercial aspirations.</em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952450681786201073.post-48447945644498760652014-06-23T08:10:00.000-07:002014-06-23T08:10:05.099-07:00TLC Network Looking for Ex-Jehovah's Witnesses for New Show My name is Shauna Woods and I work for Hot Snakes Media, an acclaimed television production company based in New York City. We have developed and produced hit content for TLC, Discovery, and Travel Channel among many others. <br /><br />I saw you were an administrator for the New England Ex-Jehovah's Witness Group and wanted to tell you about a new real-life series we're developing surrounding people who are in the process of leaving their faith — this includes individuals who recently left, in addition to those who plan to leave in the near future. <br /><br />Essentially, anyone one looking to create a new path for themselves outside of their religion is of interest to us. I was hoping you could share our casting notice with your network or a specific person you may have in mind who would be interested in this project. <br /><br />We’re open to any thoughts, insight, referrals or suggestions you may have to point me in the right direction. If you need any further details, please do not hesitate to contact me at <a href="mailto:shauna@hotsnakesmedia.com" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: steelblue;">shauna@hotsnakesmedia.com</span></a>, or 212.204.2557 . <br />
<br />
Have you lived your entire life devoted to your spiritual beliefs? Do you constantly find yourself following along with your religious order even if you don’t necessarily agree? Whether you simply don’t believe in the customs and traditions, or are looking to branch away from your ”extreme” religious lifestyle in a quest for self-empowerment, we want to hear from you. <br /><br />An acclaimed television production company is searching for individuals who want to leave their religious communities. We are especially seeking people with unique personalities and compelling back-stories, who have the courage to stand up for what they truly believe in. <br /><br />To be considered, or to nominate someone, please write to us at <a href="mailto:shaunawcasting@gmail.com" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: steelblue;">shaunawcasting@gmail.com</span></a> with the following information [**if you are nominating someone else, please be sure to include their contact info, as well**]: <br /><br />•First & last name •Your city & state of residence •Brief cover note discussing your story and religious background <br /><br />•A few current photographs <br /><br />•The best phone number(s) at which to reach you Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952450681786201073.post-13773886609515169932014-06-09T00:00:00.001-07:002014-06-09T00:00:18.131-07:00Secret Watchtower Pedophile Letter Made PublicThe current Jehovah's Witnesses official child abuse handling procedure letter to all bodies of elders (October 1, 2012) has been placed into public domain by the Australian (Victoria) government "Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious Oganisations".<br />
Official government web site link to letter:<br />
<a href="http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/images/stories/committees/fcdc/inquiries/57th/Child_Abuse_Inquiry/Submissions/Steven_Unthank_Supp_A_Appendix_1.pdf" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: steelblue;">http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/images/stories/committees/fcdc/inquiries/57th/Child_Abuse_Inquiry/Submissions/Steven_Unthank_Supp_A_Appendix_1.pdf</span></a><br />
Short link:<br />
<a href="http://goo.gl/rH8Ivc" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: steelblue;">http://goo.gl/rH8Ivc</span></a><br />
This means that anyone, anywhere around the world is free to republish and distribute the letter as long as they quote the source.<br />
<br />
JW Leaks<br />
<strong><a href="http://jwleaks.org/" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: steelblue;">www.jwleaks.org</span></a></strong><br />
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
"There is nothing carefully concealed that will not be revealed, and secret that will not become known." - Jesus<br />
<strong>Soon ... since 1879</strong>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952450681786201073.post-69518689707294328362014-06-07T23:46:00.005-07:002014-06-07T23:51:16.640-07:00Brothers who are 80 years of age or older will no longer serve as a coordinator of the body of elders.<table><tbody>
<tr class="odd" valign="top"><td><br /></td><td><div class="post-container">
<!--google_ad_section_start--><a href="http://api.viglink.com/api/click?format=go&jsonp=vglnk_jsonp_140221017840713&key=f38428291ed8e213546f1c4b510d2954&libId=5c8ecc6d-caab-4f49-a66e-d8540434e3c0&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jehovahs-witness.net%2Fwatchtower%2Fbeliefs%2F280474%2F2%2FCOBE-cannot-be-80-or-more%23.U5QHdZW2JwE&v=1&out=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sendspace.com%2Ffile%2Fvql475&title=COBE%20cannot%20be%2080%20or%20more%20(2)&txt=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sendspace.com%2Ffile%2Fvql475" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: steelblue;">http://www.sendspace.com/file/vql475</span></a></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
TO ALL BODIES OF ELDERS<br />
Re: Coordinator of the body of elders<br />
Dear Brothers:<br />
The Governing Body appreciates the fine brothers who serve as congregation elders and the work they do in advancing Kingdom interests. Many elders have served in this capacity for decades, and we benefit from their wisdom and fine example of faith and loyalty in caring for Jehovah’s sheep.—Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2, 3.<br />
As the organization continues to expand, there is a need for more brothers to reach out and a need for those who now serve as elders to take on more responsibility. To assist in this effort, the Governing Body has decided that, effective September 1, 2014, brothers who are 80 years of age or older will no longer serve as a coordinator of the body of elders. Of course, a coordinator of the body of elders who is not yet 80 years of age might also modestly decide that it would now be best to have another brother take on this role.—Mic. 6:8.<br />
If, in view of the foregoing, it will be necessary to recommend a change in the brother serving as the coordinator of the body of elders, this matter should be given due consideration at an upcoming elders’ meeting. If the next visit of the circuit overseer to your congregation will not be until after September 1, the recommendation could be held until his visit.— <em>ks10 </em> chap. 2 par. 13.<br />
In the <em>Shepherding </em> textbook, chapter 2, paragraph 11, after the first sentence, each elder should insert “He must be less than 80 years of age.”<br />
We thank you for your loyal support of these theocratic refinements. (Isa. 60:17; Rev. 1:20) Please accept an expression of our warm Christian love.<br />
Your brothers,Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952450681786201073.post-77166234073383806352014-05-13T01:12:00.003-07:002014-05-13T01:12:53.178-07:00Jehovah's Witnesses Being Investigated<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v6NpUldrGw">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v6NpUldrGw</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952450681786201073.post-82919129921739011482014-04-27T06:59:00.001-07:002014-04-27T06:59:32.658-07:00CONFIDENTIAL 2014-04-22 Adjustment in process for appointing elders and Ministerial ServantsApril 22, 2014<br />
TO ALL CONGREGATIONS<br /> Re: Adjustment in process for appointing elders and ministerial servants<br />
Dear Brothers:<br />
With regard to Paul and Barnabas’ visit to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, Acts 14:23 states: “They appointed elders for them in each congregation, offering prayer with fasting, and they entrusted them to Jehovah, in whom they had become believers.” Titus and Timothy evidently are also recorded as taking part in appointing elders in the congregations. (1 Tim. 5:22; Titus 1:5) In accord with this Scriptural precedent, the Governing Body has decided that effective September 1, 2014, circuit overseers will be responsible for the appointment and deletion of elders and ministerial servants. Additional information will appear in the November 15, 2014, issue of The Watchtower.<br />
We request your continued prayers on our behalf as the preaching work is speeding up and more and more people are beginning to worship God by going to “the mountain of the house of Jehovah.” (Isa. 2:2) Please accept an expression of our warm Christian love.<br />
Your brothers,<br />
c: Traveling overseers PS to body of elders:<br />
Please arrange for this letter to be read to the congregation at the first Service Meeting after its receipt or after the next Watchtower Study, whichever comes first. This postscript should not be read to the congregation, and the letter should not be posted on the information board. If the circuit overseer is visiting your congregation, he will read this letter at the conclusion of the next congregation meeting. At circuit assemblies and special assembly days, the letter will be read by the last speaker on the program at the conclusion of his talk. We would appreciate your keeping this matter confidential until the letter is read to the congregation or circuit.<br />
In due course, further direction regarding the aforementioned adjustments will be provided to all bodies of elders.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952450681786201073.post-4577897295082316512014-02-12T10:51:00.002-08:002014-02-12T10:51:32.588-08:00Fraud Alert<div class="western">
This alert involves a particular form of fraud known
as affinity fraud that has been perpetrated upon multiple congregations
of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Northern California (USA), specifically
Circuit 13*, by persons professing to be servants of Jehovah God.</div>
<div class="western">
<a href="http://www.sec.gov/investor/pubs/affinity.htm" target="_blank">Affinity fraud</a>
is defined as a scam that preys upon the trust and friendship that
exist in associations, such as religious groups. Those who utilize
affinity scams typically are - or pretend to be - members of the group
and often use respected religious leaders within the group to promote
the scheme by convincing the members that a fraudulent investment is
legitimate and worthwhile (See <a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102002368" target="_blank">g02 5/22 p. 29</a> under the heading <em>Theft in the Name of God</em>; also g97 9/22 pp. 9-10).</div>
<div class="western">
Sadly, an affinity fraud scam manifested during my congregation’s engagement with <a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200274822" target="_blank">Regional Building Committee</a> #7 (2009 – 2011).</div>
<div class="western">
Having observed this firsthand as a participant in
the RBC engagement and as an officer for the congregation’s non-profit
religious corporation, I am shedding light on this situation since the
wrongdoers, including overseers within the <a href="http://www.corporationwiki.com/California/Menlo-Park/english-congregation-of-jehovahs-witnesses-menlo-park-califo/40529997.aspx" target="_blank">English - Menlo Park Congregation</a>,
Regional Building Committee and Circuit 13*, continue to cover up their
misconduct. They have done so to avoid scrutiny from persons in the
organization with greater responsibility, unsuspecting congregation
members as well as the secular authorities.</div>
<div class="western">
Understandably, the following information may be
difficult for some to believe. As a lifelong servant of Jehovah, I find
this situation hard to believe myself. Nevertheless, it has occurred.</div>
<div class="western">
In Matthew <a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/b/r1/lp-e/nwt/E/2013/40/13" target="_blank">Chapter 13</a>, Jesus warned of false Christians when providing the illustration of the Wheat and the Weeds. At <a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/b/r1/lp-e/nwt/E/2013/55/2#dcv_2_20" target="_blank">2 Timothy 2:20, 21</a>, Paul speaks of vessels “for an honorable purpose” and other vessels “for a purpose lacking honor” within the same house. At <a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/dx/r1/lp-e/1001061148/27747" target="_blank">Acts 20:29</a> Paul spoke of “oppressive wolves” entering in among true Christians that would not treat the flock with tenderness. </div>
<div class="western">
This alert is intended to provide a general overview of the problem. Further details will be provided in subsequent postings.</div>
<div class="western">
In the spirit of <a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/b/r1/lp-e/nwt/E/2013/3/5" target="_blank">Leviticus 5:1</a>,
the goal is to overcome the current cover-up of this situation so that
upright brothers in positions of organizational oversight can become
aware of this problem and take the appropriate action.</div>
<div class="western">
The scam involves theft by false pretense (<a href="http://www.shouselaw.com/theft-false-pretenses.html" target="_blank">1</a>, <a href="http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/false_pretenses" target="_blank">2</a>), <a href="http://www.nonprofitlawreport.com/guide/private-benefit/" target="_blank">private benefit</a>, <a href="http://www.answers.com/topic/excess-benefit-transaction" target="_blank">excess benefit transactions</a> and <a href="http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/self-dealing" target="_blank">self-dealing</a> - in short: white collar crime (<a href="http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/white_collar" target="_blank">1</a>, <a href="http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/white-collar_crime" target="_blank">2</a>).</div>
<div class="western">
It appears that participants in this scam occupy
strategic positions of responsibility at varying levels of the
organization, which may explain why all requests to the <em>Service Department</em> for a special committee to be formed to investigate and resolve this situation have gone unanswered.</div>
<div class="western">
<strong>Jehovah’s organization itself is </strong><em><strong>not </strong></em><strong>perpetrating this scam</strong>,
rather a group of deviant, self-willed individuals therein are doing
so. Such persons insidiously exploit the arrangements, procedures and
infrastructure of the organization to execute their schemes - to their
own benefit.</div>
<div class="western">
<strong>The Scam: Phase 1</strong></div>
<div class="western">
The scam often targets Kingdom Hall properties that
are fully paid for. A “trigger man” is required to set the plan in
motion. This may be the circuit overseer, an RBC representative and/or
members of a local body of elders. The <em>trigger man</em> may be
complicit in the scam or may simply be directed by complicit persons
above him to unknowingly set the stage for the scheme.</div>
<div class="western">
The trigger man then initiates a discussion of
maintenance needs invariably steering the flow of the conversation
toward completely remodeling the Kingdom Hall and/or selling it to
purchase new land and build a new one.</div>
<div class="western">
If the existing body of elders agree, all is well. If
they do not then the non-conformists are arbitrarily deleted as elders
and/or diluted by new elders predisposed to proceed with the desired
building project that are directed to move into the congregation. This
dilution can also occur under the guise of merging congregations.</div>
<div class="western">
The newer elders typically become the officers in the
congregation’s non-profit religious corporation. In doing so, they
amend the articles of incorporation changing the name of the corporation
and the by-laws ensuring that the local branch office is named as the
recipient of all assets, including the Kingdom Hall property and
proceeds from the sale of such, upon dissolution of the corporation.
This enables the schemers to acquire operational control of the
corporation and thereby assume effective ownership of the Kingdom Hall
property.</div>
<div class="western">
<strong>The Scam: Phase 2a</strong></div>
<div class="western">
Next, complicit RBC representatives provide a
proposal for a complete remodel of the Hall when, in reality, a more
modest project would suffice in-line with organizational directives
(Policy Letters dated <a href="http://sdrv.ms/19F5LbV" target="_blank">4/6/2009</a> & <a href="http://sdrv.ms/19F5PIt" target="_blank">12/11/2009</a>).
This proposal is approved by the body of elders as a matter of course,
per the scheme, regardless of the undue financial burden that is placed
on congregation members.</div>
<div class="western">
The costs of the building project are inflated with
specific intent to exceed the congregation’s available funds thus
manufacturing the need for the congregation to obtain an interest free
loan from the Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Inc.</div>
<div class="western">
For example, the actual costs of a modest remodeling
project for Kingdom Hall “A” is $35,000. However, complicit RBC members
unnecessarily recommend a complete remodel that, in actuality, should
cost no more than $100,000. Yet, the RBC representatives specify a
project cost of $250,000. This amount exceeds the congregation’s
available funds and so they are then directed to obtain an interest free
loan from the local branch.</div>
<div class="western">
The project proceeds and the work is done for the
actual cost of $100,000 – or less. However, the congregation is now
responsible for a loan of $250,000 due to the misrepresented project
costs.</div>
<div class="western">
By inflating construction costs for a project that
the congregation doesn’t actually need and then finalizing a loan that
will be paid monthly for the next 10 – 25 years, the scam fraudulently
creates a <a href="http://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/business-english/revenue-stream" target="_blank">revenue stream</a> that constitutes a <a href="http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/surreptitious" target="_blank">surreptitious</a> form of <a href="http://www.thefreedictionary.com/tithe" target="_blank">tithing</a>, something that Jehovah God and his organization do not approve of.</div>
<div class="western">
Based on what occurred during the <a href="http://www.corporationwiki.com/California/Menlo-Park/english-congregation-of-jehovahs-witnesses-menlo-park-califo/40529997.aspx" target="_blank">English - Menlo Park Congregation</a>'s RBC engagement, sham building projects have also been used as a means to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Money_laundering" target="_blank">reposition liquid assets</a>
specifically to obscure their source and/or final destination. Such
transactions can enable tax evasion especially when performed under the
guise of religious non-profit activity, something else that Jehovah God
and his organization do not approve of. (See <a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2011649" target="_blank">w11 9/1 pp. 21-23</a>)</div>
<div class="western">
<strong>The Scam: Phase 2b</strong></div>
<div class="western">
Alternatively, once the perpetrators of the scam
acquire operational control of a congregation’s corporation, thus
assuming effective ownership of the Kingdom Hall property, they direct
the congregation to finance upgrades to the Kingdom Hall and then sell
the property for a substantial profit, anywhere from 200 – 300%. With
the original congregation and corporation dissolved at the direction of
complicit branch personnel, the publishers are then merged with a
neighboring congregation and the perpetrators move on to the next
“building” project.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="_GoBack" name="_GoBack"></a></div>
<div class="western">
<strong>Conclusion</strong></div>
<div class="western">
My efforts to expose this problem have been met with
stiff opposition. My family has been insidiously undermined and attacked
by the perpetrators of this scam. These attacks have included false
accusations intended to destroy my reputation and credibility (See
g90 5/22 p. 12 - Fallacy Number 1). Nevertheless, the importance of <a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/b/r1/lp-e/nwt/E/2013/59/1" target="_blank">James 1: 2, 3</a> remains.</div>
<div class="western">
While others in Circuit 13 have the basis to do so,
at present, a total of seven persons can and will bear witness to the
authenticity of this problem. (<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/b/r1/lp-e/nwt/E/2013/43/8#h=57:662-57:834" target="_blank">John 8:17</a>)
All that is required now is someone in a position of responsibility
within Jehovah’s organization, whose fear of God exceeds his fear of
men, who will listen and take the appropriate action to investigate
matters. (<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/b/r1/lp-e/nwt/E/2013/40/10#h=83:510-83:662" target="_blank">Matthew 10:28</a>; <a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2001885?q=fear+not+those+who+kill+the+body&p=par" target="_blank">w01 12/1 p. 23 pars. 17-18</a>)</div>
<div class="western">
If such corruption can manifest in this one cited area, there may be cause for concern in other regards. A <strong>special committee</strong> under the direction of the <strong>Governing Body</strong>,
would be able to investigate these matters and determine the actual
extent of the problem to the end of fully resolving this situation. (<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/dx/r1/lp-e/1001061156/29734" target="_blank">1 Thessalonians 5:21</a>)</div>
<div class="western">
An old saying states that “Sunshine is the best
disinfectant” - which is to say that a good way to impede underhanded
activity is to shed light on it.</div>
<div class="western">
If anyone has knowledge of this situation, or others,
please notify your congregation elders, circuit overseer, district
overseer, local branch, and anyone else who may be positioned to help. <strong>If
you have the basis to communicate directly with any member of the
Governing Body, PLEASE do so as their involvement will be needed to
solve this problem.</strong> (<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/b/r1/lp-e/nwt/E/2013/3/5" target="_blank">Leviticus 5:1</a>)</div>
<div class="western">
Individuals are also encouraged to participate in a brief <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LM9J3BS" target="_blank">survey</a>
intended to assess whether or not the scam described herein or other
forms of fraud have occurred outside of Circuit 13*. Personal contact
information is not requested or gathered therefore <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LM9J3BS" target="_blank">survey</a> participants will enjoy complete anonymity.</div>
<div class="western">
Friends - In being created in Jehovah God’s image,
each person has the fundamental basis and inherent potential to be a
force for good.</div>
<div class="western">
Jehovah God sees what is taking place and he will soon act for the sake of his own name. (<a href="http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/b/r1/lp-e/nwt/E/2013/21/12#dcv_12_14" target="_blank">Ecclesiastes 12:14</a>) Take care to be standing on the side of truth when he does.</div>
<div class="western">
<a href="http://jason-cobb.tumblr.com/post/71758904649/greetings" target="_blank">Jason E. Cobb</a></div>
<div class="western">
* <strong>Circuit 13</strong> is located on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_Peninsula" target="_blank">San Francisco Peninsula</a>
and consists of English congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses in
Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Redwood City, San Mateo
and Burlingame.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952450681786201073.post-18765971739756489652013-12-27T23:16:00.001-08:002013-12-27T23:16:21.594-08:00Historical Chart of "This Generation" Teaching Adjustments<img alt="JW Guide to Generation Teaching" src="http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/4088/xrag.jpg" title="Jehovahs Witness Guide to Understanding the Generation Teaching" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952450681786201073.post-86185842022090252672013-10-05T19:30:00.003-07:002013-10-05T22:25:17.917-07:00New bible released today at the annual meeting with the caveat that the existence of this new bible is to be kept confidential...<img alt="599798_3585389728918_1886732690_n.jpg" class="ecxAOLInlineImage" id="ecxTIE.522379" src="https://bay171.afx.ms/att/GetInline.aspx?messageid=273bf850-2e0a-11e3-8b2e-00215ad80a04&attindex=1&cp=-1&attdepth=1&imgsrc=cid:tie_8D0902DBF2C567C_E24_5E962&cid=ef4cb97030969a64&shared=1&hm__login=margaretrunge&hm__domain=hotmail.com&ip=10.42.176.8&d=d3556&mf=0&hm__ts=Sun%2c%2006%20Oct%202013%2002:29:12%20GMT&st=margaretrunge&hm__ha=01_5fbda9650d326d0b25b84fb6d9c3bcbe84fc802ef11c6e5c6c399efcab47b829&oneredir=1" style="vertical-align: middle;" title="599798_3585389728918_1886732690_n.jpg" width="275" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952450681786201073.post-84286638401840157282013-10-05T19:27:00.003-07:002013-10-05T19:27:32.668-07:00The new New World Translation replacing the previous New World Translation because as we all know "Truth" can change!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
T<img alt="602962_521171651306501_1811249492_n.jpg" class="ecxAOLInlineImage" id="ecxTIE.348979" src="https://bay171.afx.ms/att/GetInline.aspx?messageid=273bf850-2e0a-11e3-8b2e-00215ad80a04&attindex=0&cp=-1&attdepth=0&imgsrc=cid:tie_8D0902DBF0B034A_E24_5E961&cid=ef4cb97030969a64&shared=1&hm__login=margaretrunge&hm__domain=hotmail.com&ip=10.42.176.8&d=d3556&mf=0&hm__ts=Sun%2c%2006%20Oct%202013%2002:23:44%20GMT&st=margaretrunge&hm__ha=01_00f3bf4852f01075867e0e60a2388da12f612a35d277b4877ab9ce73bd368cb8&oneredir=1" style="vertical-align: middle;" title="602962_521171651306501_1811249492_n.jpg" width="275" />TUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952450681786201073.post-57705491446288022542013-09-16T23:52:00.001-07:002013-09-16T23:52:05.170-07:00US DIPLOMATIC CABLES RELATING TO JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES AND THE WATCH TOWER SOCIETY<strong>JW Leaks has commenced publishing US Diplomatic Cables relating to Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Watch Tower Society.</strong><br />
<strong>The
first series of diplomatic cables deals with the years 1973 – 1976 and
provides a unique insight into the role the US government played in
assisting the Watch Tower Society around the world during the turbulent
mid-1970′s.</strong><br />
<strong>These diplomatic cables deal with the
treatment of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Malawi, the banning of the Watch
Tower Society in Kenya and Argentina, arrests of Jehovah’s Witness
missionaries and members around the world (incl. Turkey, Spain, Greece,
Kenya, Mozambique), the US government’s diplomatic political assistance
in trying to get Grant Suiter and Milton Henschel into South Africa for a
visit, and the seizing of Watch Tower Society property in various
countries.</strong><br />
<strong>When taken together the cables show
the degree of reliance the Watch Tower Society has placed in the US
Department of State and various US embassies to secure the presence of
the corporation in Africa, Asia, and South America.</strong><br />
<strong>These
diplomatic cables will especially assist those who are researching the
history of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Africa, Asia, South America, Turkey,
Greece, and Spain.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong><a href="http://jwleaks.org/2013/09/17/us-diplomatic-cables-relating-to-jehovahs-witnesses/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="JW LEAKS | Database">www.jwleaks.org</a></strong>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952450681786201073.post-92173670547233578532013-07-28T21:14:00.002-07:002013-07-28T21:18:51.367-07:00<div>
<h1>
Jehovah’s Witnesses under fire</h1>
<span class="stamp">25. jul. 2013 13.26 English</span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB">At
the recent summer conventions of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Silkeborg and
Herlufmagle, speakers likened lapsed members to a deadly virus, snakes
and contaminated soil that should not be mixed with clean soil.<br /><br />The rhetoric was so strong that the movement may have breached article 266b of the Danish Criminal Code, under which “a</span><span lang="EN-US">ny
person who publicly or with the intention of dissemination to a wide
circle of people makes a statement or imparts other information
threatening, insulting or degrading a group of persons on account of
their race, colour, national or ethnic origin, belief or sexual
orientation shall be liable to a fine, simple detention or imprisonment
for a term not exceeding two years”</span><span lang="EN-GB">.<br /><br /><b>Overstepping the mark</b>This
is the conclusion of lawyer Niels-Erik Hansen, head of the
Documentation and Advisory Centre on Racial Discrimination (DRC), after
having read excerpts from the sermons delivered at the summer
conventions, reports Danish newspaper<i>Kristeligt Dagblad</i>.<br /><br />“The
speeches clearly overstep the mark. When someone compares another group
to deadly diseases and snakes, we’ve moved into the core area of the
anti-discrimination article,” said Hansen.<br /><br /><b>Harsh attitude towards defectors</b></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB">“The
speeches are the same type of rhetoric that we heard against the Jews
in Europe in the 1930s. This is precisely what the anti-discrimination
article was introduced to restrain,” said Hansen.<br /><br />Jehovah’s
Witnesses are known for having a harsh attitude towards those who choose
to leave the movement. Among other things, many defectors find that
existing members refuse to have any contact with them.<br /><br />Nevertheless,
Poul Dal, chairman of the Support Group for Former Jehovah’s Witnesses,
believes the language used at the summer conventions represents a
stepping up in rhetoric.<br /><br /><b>Could be reported</b></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB">“The
rhetoric has become more intense in recent years, when they have begun
to use terms such as ‘mental illness’ and ‘Satan’s workers’ in relation
to former members who now oppose the religious community,” said Dal.<br /><br />The support group is now considering reporting Jehovah’s Witnesses to the police for violating the anti-discrimination article.<br /><br />Carit
Stypinsky, a spokesperson for Jehovah’s Witnesses, denies that the
summer conventions’ sermons and denunciations of former members are in
breach of Danish laws.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952450681786201073.post-78350378884726004952013-02-19T22:28:00.001-08:002013-02-19T22:30:57.667-08:00Watchtower cult shuts down websites to coverup Pedophilia letters
Just when you thought it was safe to call watchtower a done deal it seems watchtower is going on a mission to tell the body of elders in a series of letters to basically cover up any illegal activity within the organization and then tell the elders to destroy the letters once they have read them. The corruption seems like something out of a bad horror movie, like a monster that won’t seem to die.<p>
The story seems to start where watchtower decided to shut down websites using copyright clams as an excuse to cover up these leaked watchtower letters. Its not the first time watchtower has been caught bullying or going after websites but apparently this time the watchtower realizes the situation is getting out of control so there solution to the problem is to tell the body of elders to cover up any tracks of criminal activity.<p>
First lets talk about the letters regarding watchtowers desperate attempt to cover up cases regarding pedophilia.<p>
The document reads:<p>
<i>
“1. This letter updates the letters to all bodies of elders regarding child abuse dated March 23, 1992; February 3, 1993; August 1, 1995; March 14, 1997; July 20, 1998; May 24, 2002; April 1, 2004; June 5, 2006; and May 24, 2010. Those letters should be removed from the congregation permanent file of policy letters and be destroyed. No one should keep originals or copies of any of those letters.”
</i><p>
Obviously telling someone to destroy a document regarding Child Abuse is not only suspicious but illegal.<p>
But wait it gets better. According to the watchtower the document is saying in black and white that basically, it is not child molestation, as long as the person is approaching adulthood and is a willing participant. The reality is Children are not capable of making adult sexual decisions with an adult.<p>
<i> “In harmony with these references, we are herein discussing sexual perversion in which children are the object of sexual abuse, including fondling, by an adult. We are not discussing a situation wherein a minor who is a willing participant and who is approaching adulthood has sexual relations with an adult who is a few years older than the minor nor, generally speaking, are we discussing situations in which only minors are involved. Rather, we are referring to situations in which it is established that an adult brother or sister has been guilty of sexually abusing a young child or has been sexually involved with a minor who is approaching adulthood and who was not a willing participant.”</i><p>
As sick as this sounds elders rather then reporting these problems to the authorities they are strongly encouraged to seek legal advice from there legal department. Last I heard this falls under the pretenses of aiding and imbedding a known felon. Not that this comes to any kind of shock. I think what is most festinating is that they are writing a sort of step by step guide to conducting illegal and unlawful practices within a religious organization. But there is nothing to see here right? <p>
<i>“4. Most states have child-abuse reporting laws that, depending on the facts, mandate elders to report an accusation to the authorities. Thus, when elders learn of an accusation of child abuse, two elders from their congregation should immediately call the Legal Department for legal advice. If the individuals involved are in different congregations, each body of elders should arrange for two of their elders to call the Legal Department. A call should be made even when both persons involved in sexual misconduct are minors. The elders should not ask an alleged victim, the accused person, or relatives of the victim or accused to call the Legal Department.”
</i><p>
Now lets move on to the next brilliant watchtower letter telling elders how to hide or manage digital information that may have illegal or legally sensitive information.<p>
“What should never be stored online? Any information of a sensitive or confidential nature, including judicial matters, should not be stored online or be distributed electronically. The same is true for documents already available on the jw.org Web site.”<p>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952450681786201073.post-17428383475133250942012-10-23T15:32:00.002-07:002012-10-23T15:37:23.354-07:00Jehovah's Witness community mourns Whitney HeichelSunday was the first day since Whitney Heichel disappeared that her congregation gathered for a formal meeting at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Gresham.<p>
The gathering included references to scriptures that might lend comfort in a time of crisis, said a congregational elder, but wasn't materially different from a regular service.<p>
It was Saturday that emotions ran high, when the congregation mourned for Heichel at an impromptu gathering at the hall. Jehovah's Witnesses from Gresham, Portland, Sandy, and Washington met there, said Jim Vaughn, a family spokesman and one of nine elders who lead Heichel's congregation.<p>
"Local elders shared scripture and reminded friends that God doesn't stop bad things from happening, but good can come from the bad," Vaughn said.<p>
He noted how Gresham police worked around the clock to search for Heichel. The way her and her husband's families took food to search parties during cold and rainy days last week. The way the city mourned for the family, with 350 people attending a vigil for Heichel on Saturday. The way Gresham businesses have come forward to offer fundraisers and donations in support of the family, such as the Portland and Gresham Dutch Bros. Coffee shops donating half their sales Monday to the Heichel family.<p>
"They didn't know her, and we've had an overwhelming response," Vaughn said.<p>
Her husband, Clint, is devastated by his loss and did not attend the meetings, Vaughn said.<p>
On Friday, Heichel's body was discovered on Larch Mountain in Multnomah County and a neighbor in her apartment complex, Jonathan D. Holt, 24, was arrested and accused of her murder.<p>
Early Sunday morning Holt was transferred to jail in Clackamas County, where police believe he killed Heichel.<p>
Holt is being held without bail on three charges of aggravated murder. He is scheduled to be arraigned Monday afternoon in Clackamas County Circuit Court.<p>
Police would not elaborate on means or motive, said Laura Bridges-Shepard, city communications director. Nor would they release the Multnomah County medical examiner's autopsy report, which was completed Saturday afternoon.<p>
Vaughn declined to comment on accusations against Holt, who is a Jehovah's Witness and was acquainted with both the Heichels, possibly through Jehovah's Witness gatherings, investigators said. Several small congregations of around 100 people each meet at different times in the same Kingdom Hall.<p>
The Gresham community was shaken by the four-day search for Heichel. It was a topic of discussion from beauty shops to candidate forums, with people who didn't know her lamenting the loss of a young woman who, by all accounts, was devoted to her religion and family.<p>
Saturday at the gathering, a man who didn't know Heichel read a comforting scripture to the group. It turned out to be Whitney Heichel's favorite:<p>
"Who will separate us from the love of the Christ? Will tribulation or distress or persecution or hunger or nakedness or danger or sword? To the contrary, in all these things we are coming off completely victorious through him that loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life nor angels nor governments nor things now here nor things to come nor powers nor height nor depth nor any other creation will be able to separate us from God's love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." <p>
At that moment, Vaughn said, "There weren't too many dry eyes."<p>
http://www.oregonlive.com/gresham/index.ssf/2012/10/jehovahs_witness_community_mou.html
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952450681786201073.post-6299018849686789832012-08-11T14:56:00.001-07:002012-08-11T14:59:21.751-07:00Ex-bethelite's skull foundHe apparently committed suicide in October 2010…<p>
ex-bethelite's skull found near beach in Delaware<p>
So tragic…Delaware City, Del. —<p>
The skull found near Pea Patch Island June 24 has been identified as belonging to Timothy Finamore, 53.<p>
Finamore, of Newark, was last seen alive Oct. 15, 2010 at the time of his disappearance.<p>
A man swimming in the water found the skull in the area between the high and low tide beach of Pea Patch Island near Delaware City at around 6 p.m. June 24.<p>
Police believe that Finamore jumped from the Delaware Memorial Bridge.<p>
His obituary was published Oct. 27, 2010 in the Delaware News Journal.<p>
Finamore served for 11 years at the world headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses in New York and then ran his own business, Aftermarket Restylers, according to the obituary.<p>
The Delaware’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said that the skull was degraded and had been in the water for more than six months.
Forensic identification positively established the skull’s identity.
The New Jersey man who found the skull told police he had taken his boat to Pea Patch Island to swim with his daughter and friends.
He took the skull back to Carney’s Point, N.J., and then notified the Delaware State Police.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952450681786201073.post-70076197150625956022012-08-10T09:39:00.000-07:002012-08-10T09:40:04.677-07:00Watchtower, October 15, 2012In the latest October 15th 2012 Watchtower (page 13)...
"Because of what they perceive as defects in the elders, some individuals who engage in serious wrongdoing in the congregation have refused to appear before a committee of elders assigned to help them. This could be likened to a patient who loses out on the benefits of a treatment because he does not like something about the doctor."
Sounds like they're now trying to stigmatize those who try to avoid judicial action.
Of course, it's also supremely ironic that they talk about declining medical treatment in a negative way, but encourage people to do precisely this when it comes to treatment using blood transfusions!
Furthermore, they are equating the skills of a physician who trains for decades for his job with a part time, inadequately trained, more than likely uneducated, congregation elder.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7952450681786201073.post-44059505534432119142012-07-30T18:26:00.001-07:002012-07-30T18:26:31.023-07:00Changes in Coventions Startung 2013Starting service year 2013 - 2 day District Conventions. We all saw this coming. This year at the Convention we had streamlined talks (almost manuscripts now) with the introductions picked out, illustrations picked out, exact interviews, etc. No extra off-the-cuff comments from Bethel speakers, COs or DOs is being allowed. If you don't comply, no more parts or you are moved to the South or backwoods.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6