"Neither Branch Office or World Headquarters is in a position to analyze and answer all such questions that have not been considered in our literature. We can be satisfied that the Bible provides sufficient information to guide us through our life but omits enough detail so as to require us to have strong faith in its devine author."
What’s happening internally?
Watchtower’s doctrinal development generation is all but dead and gone. The few remnants are in their mid-80s and older, and none of these ever made it onto the organization’s top shelf decision-making body known as Watchtower’s Governing Body.
The newbies leading today’s Watchtower do not see things as their predecessors; do not have the circumstances of their predecessors; do not have the charisma of their predecessors; do not have the juice of their predecessors. Perhaps worst of all, Watchtower’s current leadership has inherited a set of doctrines that place it in a vulnerable position.
Where are the problems?
At the top of this heap is all doctrine impinging the organization’s end-time teaching. All of these teachings are heavily dependent on the year 1914 as a marker from which many very important things are said to happen from.
Another such doctrine is the organization’s blood transfusion taboo. This teaching has never been wholly embraced by the community of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and in the last two decades has faced refutation from every conceivable perspective.
What’s been happening
For decades Watchtower has received inquiries from the Witness community questioning important details of these teachings; details that if wrong would undermine any perception of legitimacy to the doctrines. The advent of the Internet Age has exacerbated this problem for Watchtower, and it is only getting worse. This is made worse again because birthers and shakers of these doctrines are effectively out of the picture and newbies are left with problematic details that are impossible to keep quiet.
How is the new guard at Watchtower going to deal with this problem?
Basically Watchtower’s current Governing Body is telling Jehovah’s Witnesses to stop asking and addressing questions to its world headquarters. If details of concern are not specifically addressed in published Watchtower literature then make your own mind up.
It will be very interesting to see how this direction is grown and used moving forward. This latest directive is only a readying of the Witness community for what is to come.
Stay tuned for changes on the way whereby Jehovah’s Witnesses will be making more “personal conscience decisions” related to blood, and dogmatism about dates of supposed prophetic significance will lighten.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Exactly Who Does The Governing Body Represent?
For many decades the community of Jehovah’s Witnesses has been told by the Watchtower organization that its Governing Body headquartered at Brooklyn, New York represents and acts for what it terms the “anointed ones” on earth.
For example, in 1976 Watchtower stated:
In an attempt to explain the apparent disconnect between itself and those whom it supposedly represents, Watchtower states:
All the corporations branch offices and printeries and their personnel serve under the direction of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses, a body that represents and acts for all the spirit annointed worsjippers of Jehovah God on earth.
Source:
The Watchtower. May 1, 1976, pg 266
Yet in recent years Watchtower has stated:
Are all of these annointed ones throughout the earth part of a global network that is somehow involved in revealing new spiritual trughts? No.
Source:
The Watchtower, August 15, 2011, pg 24
The Governing Body does not maintain a global network of annointed ones.
Source:
The Watchtower, August 15, 2011, pg 22
At face value it seems absurd that Watchtower’s Governing Body can rightly be understood to represent the “anointed ones” on earth given that it neither has nor maintains a network of those whom it purportedly represents.
In an attempt to explain the apparent disconnect between itself and those whom it supposedly represents, Watchtower states:
Although as a composite body the slave class is responsible for feeding the spiritual household, not all indiiduals of the slave class have the same responsibilities for work assignments (Read 1 Corinthians 12: 14-18.) As noted earlier in the first century, all were involved in the votal preaching work. But only a very limited number were used to write the books of the Bible and oversea the Christian Congregation.
Source:
The Watchtower, June 15. 2009, pg 24
That is an amazing piece of explanation. Why?
Watchtower teaches that the composite “slave class” is the sum total of all “anointed ones” on earth at any given time, and that these "anointed ones" have the assignment to provide spiritual food. Specifically, Watchtower states:
We accept the teaching that all of the annointed ones living on earth at any given time constitute the faithful and discreet slave that Jesus said would provide timely food for his domestics.
Source:
The Watchtower, November 1, 2007, pg 30
According to the above, as recent as year 2007 Watchtower’s Governing Body taught that all of the “anointed ones” would provide spiritual food. Yet Watchtower’s 2009 explanation expresses that some of the “anointed ones” do not have the assignment to provide spiritual food.
Watchtower’s teaching on this point is cloaked in the conundrum of “a composite body”. The apparent theory of this “composite body” is that though it is made up entirely of the “anointed ones” and no one else, and though all of the “anointed ones” comprise this “composite body,” when the “composite body” acts in its singular assignment it is not the whole “composite body” that is acting in that singular assignment, that is to provide spiritual food.
Notwithstanding supposition of various “work assignments,” one can only wonder how an organization can rightly claim to represent persons for whom admittedly it neither has nor maintains a network of.
For example, in 1976 Watchtower stated:
In an attempt to explain the apparent disconnect between itself and those whom it supposedly represents, Watchtower states:
All the corporations branch offices and printeries and their personnel serve under the direction of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses, a body that represents and acts for all the spirit annointed worsjippers of Jehovah God on earth.
Source:
The Watchtower. May 1, 1976, pg 266
Yet in recent years Watchtower has stated:
Are all of these annointed ones throughout the earth part of a global network that is somehow involved in revealing new spiritual trughts? No.
Source:
The Watchtower, August 15, 2011, pg 24
The Governing Body does not maintain a global network of annointed ones.
Source:
The Watchtower, August 15, 2011, pg 22
At face value it seems absurd that Watchtower’s Governing Body can rightly be understood to represent the “anointed ones” on earth given that it neither has nor maintains a network of those whom it purportedly represents.
In an attempt to explain the apparent disconnect between itself and those whom it supposedly represents, Watchtower states:
Although as a composite body the slave class is responsible for feeding the spiritual household, not all indiiduals of the slave class have the same responsibilities for work assignments (Read 1 Corinthians 12: 14-18.) As noted earlier in the first century, all were involved in the votal preaching work. But only a very limited number were used to write the books of the Bible and oversea the Christian Congregation.
Source:
The Watchtower, June 15. 2009, pg 24
That is an amazing piece of explanation. Why?
Watchtower teaches that the composite “slave class” is the sum total of all “anointed ones” on earth at any given time, and that these "anointed ones" have the assignment to provide spiritual food. Specifically, Watchtower states:
We accept the teaching that all of the annointed ones living on earth at any given time constitute the faithful and discreet slave that Jesus said would provide timely food for his domestics.
Source:
The Watchtower, November 1, 2007, pg 30
According to the above, as recent as year 2007 Watchtower’s Governing Body taught that all of the “anointed ones” would provide spiritual food. Yet Watchtower’s 2009 explanation expresses that some of the “anointed ones” do not have the assignment to provide spiritual food.
Watchtower’s teaching on this point is cloaked in the conundrum of “a composite body”. The apparent theory of this “composite body” is that though it is made up entirely of the “anointed ones” and no one else, and though all of the “anointed ones” comprise this “composite body,” when the “composite body” acts in its singular assignment it is not the whole “composite body” that is acting in that singular assignment, that is to provide spiritual food.
Notwithstanding supposition of various “work assignments,” one can only wonder how an organization can rightly claim to represent persons for whom admittedly it neither has nor maintains a network of.
Is The Watchtower Society Still Living in the 19th Century?
have always sensed a disconnect about the society. Especially the way the rank and file is treated. Is it because they are still operating with a 19th century mentality?
The WT was started in an era when higher education usually meant the 8th grade. When medical practices were often dangerous and harmful or in the case of beneficial treatments, not well understood. When Science had barely penetrated daily life, when communication meant tracts and printing presses. When critical historic study of the Bible was virtually unknown and most people considered every word in the bible inspired from god. When women were in a continuing fight for basic rights. When William Miller and his Adventist movement could reach out from the grave and infuse his simplistic millennium end of the world beliefs into the thinking of the founders and future stewards of the Watchtower Society.
Reviewing the lives of it's Presidents and a sampling of the Governing Body, I noticed that almost every one of them was either born and educated in the 19th century or if not were in turn educated by those who were. And that continued all the way through to the succession of Fred Franz.
Does this extremely limited 19th century thought process still influence the 21st century Watchtower Society?
Is this time warp one of the reasons 67% of born-ins and thousands of converts are abandoning this religion/cult?
Do JW's have more in common with the Amish and Mennonites, less the quaint attire, then with the contemporary population?
The WT was started in an era when higher education usually meant the 8th grade. When medical practices were often dangerous and harmful or in the case of beneficial treatments, not well understood. When Science had barely penetrated daily life, when communication meant tracts and printing presses. When critical historic study of the Bible was virtually unknown and most people considered every word in the bible inspired from god. When women were in a continuing fight for basic rights. When William Miller and his Adventist movement could reach out from the grave and infuse his simplistic millennium end of the world beliefs into the thinking of the founders and future stewards of the Watchtower Society.
Reviewing the lives of it's Presidents and a sampling of the Governing Body, I noticed that almost every one of them was either born and educated in the 19th century or if not were in turn educated by those who were. And that continued all the way through to the succession of Fred Franz.
Does this extremely limited 19th century thought process still influence the 21st century Watchtower Society?
Is this time warp one of the reasons 67% of born-ins and thousands of converts are abandoning this religion/cult?
Do JW's have more in common with the Amish and Mennonites, less the quaint attire, then with the contemporary population?
Monday, May 2, 2011
Watchtower Study, Sunday May 1, 2011
In today's Watchtower Study, towards the end, you had one of those typical comments by a former Df'ed Witness expressing appreciation for being shunned.
After this kind of nonsense is expressed, you will get a flurry of self righteous comments emphasizing how important it is to shun your disfellowshipped relatives, so that they can come back in the "truth".
Oh, Really? Do any of these people raising their hand realize that, if the "success" of disfellowshipping depends on your shunning, then the "repentant" person is "coming back in the truth" FOR THE SAKE OF THEIR RELATIVES -AND NOT BECAUSE OF FEARING JEHOVAH !!!???
Think about it. If disfellowshipping is openly motivated by getting back with your cultish relatives, then what, pray tell, does that have to do with repentance towards God?
And the second point!
Jehovah's Witnesses keep lying and lying and lying - as this article does - about how disfellowshipping 'keeps the organization clean'.
It does not! This is an endlessly repeated , bold face lie!
How so? The Jews of Jesus' day loved shunning! Did it make them 'clean'? ( see Luke 6: 22)
Does the Watchtower complain about many leading a 'double life'? Is that 'clean'?
Do internet sites, such as this one, manifest documents and confidential information in a steady stream, that comes from Witnesses pretending to be loyal?
Does the Society warm about "apostates" lurking in congregations currently?
Do disfellowshipping cases often manifest serious sins committed over years, sometimes decades, including homosexuality, child molestation, adultery and more?
Out of their own mouth, you can judge them, by their admissions about widespread problems in congregations. They are liars, seeking to deceive others, about a "cleanness" that their own evidence contradicts.
After this kind of nonsense is expressed, you will get a flurry of self righteous comments emphasizing how important it is to shun your disfellowshipped relatives, so that they can come back in the "truth".
Oh, Really? Do any of these people raising their hand realize that, if the "success" of disfellowshipping depends on your shunning, then the "repentant" person is "coming back in the truth" FOR THE SAKE OF THEIR RELATIVES -AND NOT BECAUSE OF FEARING JEHOVAH !!!???
Think about it. If disfellowshipping is openly motivated by getting back with your cultish relatives, then what, pray tell, does that have to do with repentance towards God?
And the second point!
Jehovah's Witnesses keep lying and lying and lying - as this article does - about how disfellowshipping 'keeps the organization clean'.
It does not! This is an endlessly repeated , bold face lie!
How so? The Jews of Jesus' day loved shunning! Did it make them 'clean'? ( see Luke 6: 22)
Does the Watchtower complain about many leading a 'double life'? Is that 'clean'?
Do internet sites, such as this one, manifest documents and confidential information in a steady stream, that comes from Witnesses pretending to be loyal?
Does the Society warm about "apostates" lurking in congregations currently?
Do disfellowshipping cases often manifest serious sins committed over years, sometimes decades, including homosexuality, child molestation, adultery and more?
Out of their own mouth, you can judge them, by their admissions about widespread problems in congregations. They are liars, seeking to deceive others, about a "cleanness" that their own evidence contradicts.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Society On The Warpath Against "Apostates"
WILL YOU HEED JEHOVAH’S
CLEAR WARNINGS?
(The Watchtower - July 15, 2011)
The men of the Governing Body are on their 'Apostate Warpath' again.
And as usual they brought with them their Motive-Judging, Name-Calling Watchtower propaganda weapon. They have even come up with a new hateful way of referring to former Witnesses who have had the nerve to disagree with them:
"Apostates are mentally 'diseased' and they seek to infect others with their disloyal teachings." And as usual, they dig up all the negative comments they can find in the Bible and apply them to those former Witnesses.
This time their propaganda asserts without presenting a shred of evidence that former Witnesses "seek to take Christ’s disciples with them and like ravenous wolves, false teachers are out to devour trusting members of the congregation, destroying their faith and leading them away from the truth."
Personally I am not aware of anyone who has left the Watchtower religion who sought to make their own disciples out of Jehovah's Witnesses. Raymond Franz for example. Anyone who has read his books knows full well that he had no interest in having anyone follow him or even a suggestion that anyone ought to agree with him.
On the other hand, what about the men of the Governing Body? Although they don't refer to the Witnesses as their own "disciples," they treat them as if they were. Their motive may not have been to intentionally have millions of Jehovah's Witnesses become their followers (or disciples) but that is what has happened.
They not only claim to be the only "true teachers" of the Bible, but unlike Raymond Franz, they require the Witnesses to follow them by accepting whatever they are currently teaching, even if what they are teaching is not true.
One of their ways of keeping their disciples under their control is to keep convincing them not to want to have anything to do with former Witnesses. In the above article they ask, "What is involved in avoiding false teachers?" They answer this way:
1) Do not receive them into your homes
2) Do not greet them
3) Do not read their literature
4) Do not watch TV programs that feature them
5) Do not examine their Web sites
6) Do not add your comments to their blogs
Why do millions of normal people put up with such control? Or as they ask it: "Why do we take such a firm stand?" They answer, "Because of love. We love 'the God of truth,' so we are not interested in twisted teachings that contradict his Word of truth. We also love Jehovah’s organization."
I think it is really telling that the organization never gives examples of the twisted teachings of apostates. Instead of calling names they should explain what the twisted teachings are. The reason they do not specifically address the the claims of apostates is that they cannot.
CLEAR WARNINGS?
(The Watchtower - July 15, 2011)
The men of the Governing Body are on their 'Apostate Warpath' again.
And as usual they brought with them their Motive-Judging, Name-Calling Watchtower propaganda weapon. They have even come up with a new hateful way of referring to former Witnesses who have had the nerve to disagree with them:
"Apostates are mentally 'diseased' and they seek to infect others with their disloyal teachings." And as usual, they dig up all the negative comments they can find in the Bible and apply them to those former Witnesses.
This time their propaganda asserts without presenting a shred of evidence that former Witnesses "seek to take Christ’s disciples with them and like ravenous wolves, false teachers are out to devour trusting members of the congregation, destroying their faith and leading them away from the truth."
Personally I am not aware of anyone who has left the Watchtower religion who sought to make their own disciples out of Jehovah's Witnesses. Raymond Franz for example. Anyone who has read his books knows full well that he had no interest in having anyone follow him or even a suggestion that anyone ought to agree with him.
On the other hand, what about the men of the Governing Body? Although they don't refer to the Witnesses as their own "disciples," they treat them as if they were. Their motive may not have been to intentionally have millions of Jehovah's Witnesses become their followers (or disciples) but that is what has happened.
They not only claim to be the only "true teachers" of the Bible, but unlike Raymond Franz, they require the Witnesses to follow them by accepting whatever they are currently teaching, even if what they are teaching is not true.
One of their ways of keeping their disciples under their control is to keep convincing them not to want to have anything to do with former Witnesses. In the above article they ask, "What is involved in avoiding false teachers?" They answer this way:
1) Do not receive them into your homes
2) Do not greet them
3) Do not read their literature
4) Do not watch TV programs that feature them
5) Do not examine their Web sites
6) Do not add your comments to their blogs
Why do millions of normal people put up with such control? Or as they ask it: "Why do we take such a firm stand?" They answer, "Because of love. We love 'the God of truth,' so we are not interested in twisted teachings that contradict his Word of truth. We also love Jehovah’s organization."
I think it is really telling that the organization never gives examples of the twisted teachings of apostates. Instead of calling names they should explain what the twisted teachings are. The reason they do not specifically address the the claims of apostates is that they cannot.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Do witnesses servJehovah out of Love or Fear?
I think the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses has been an amazing but tragic social experiment proving that the mind is most vulnerable to brainwashing when it's in an unhealthy state. It seems to attract the bipolar, schizophrenic, depressive, and the paranoid. It preys on negative emotions like sorrow and fear. In my 25 years of being a witness, I've met as many people with mental disorders as a psychiatrist does in his whole career! Have you guys noticed this? Kingdom Halls are close to being asylums!
On service, the people who actually listen at the doors and accept a study are the ones going through some hardships at the moment. How many times have you heard a JW recalling an experience of knocking on the door of a man about to commit suicide? Gun in the mouth ready to pull the trigger when the doorbell rings. Followed by "That man is now a baptized pioneer"....another man with serious issues and mental disorders becoming a witness and everyone applauding.
So many people I've met are in this religion cause of a desire to see a dead loved one, fear of the current world events, fear of death at armaggedon, fear of being shunned, a desire to rid themselves of an illness, or sometimes they're there for the juicy gossip. My father is driven by the sorrow of his dead mother, my brother has had several medical near death experiences and is driven by the fear of death, and my mother's fear of aging keeps her going.
Wasn't it the love for Jehovah that was supposed to make us serve him? It's not love, it's fear and sorrow. Manipulate the weakened minds to make them do what we want them to...kinda like a sociopath (Which is a disorder in itself). Maybe that's why this religion doesn't seem to work well on people with healthy minds and/or above average IQ's. (That's why education is of the Devil) Has anyone here noticed the same?
On service, the people who actually listen at the doors and accept a study are the ones going through some hardships at the moment. How many times have you heard a JW recalling an experience of knocking on the door of a man about to commit suicide? Gun in the mouth ready to pull the trigger when the doorbell rings. Followed by "That man is now a baptized pioneer"....another man with serious issues and mental disorders becoming a witness and everyone applauding.
So many people I've met are in this religion cause of a desire to see a dead loved one, fear of the current world events, fear of death at armaggedon, fear of being shunned, a desire to rid themselves of an illness, or sometimes they're there for the juicy gossip. My father is driven by the sorrow of his dead mother, my brother has had several medical near death experiences and is driven by the fear of death, and my mother's fear of aging keeps her going.
Wasn't it the love for Jehovah that was supposed to make us serve him? It's not love, it's fear and sorrow. Manipulate the weakened minds to make them do what we want them to...kinda like a sociopath (Which is a disorder in itself). Maybe that's why this religion doesn't seem to work well on people with healthy minds and/or above average IQ's. (That's why education is of the Devil) Has anyone here noticed the same?
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Former Witness taking on Watch Tower
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/ipad/former-witness-taking-on-watch-tower/story-fn6bfmgc-1226036543156
Former Witness taking on Watch Tower
•Graeme Hammond
•From: Sunday Herald Sun
•April 10, 201112:00AM
A FORMER Jehovah's Witness is to launch a private criminal prosecution against the religion's world headquarters.
His action is in protest at its refusal to require church elders to submit to Working With Children police checks in Victoria
Steven Unthank, who says he was a victim of sexual assault by a church elder in Queensland, says he is taking the drastic step to protect children within the religion and at homes where Jehovah's Witnesses doorknock.
Mr Unthank, from Toongabbie in Gippsland, says he is frustrated over inaction by police and the Justice Department after the religion decided its ministers were not required to undergo police checks.
He hopes the state will take over the prosecution after court documents are filed on April 19.
Mr Unthank, 43, quit the religion in late 2009 after waging a long campaign to persuade the Watch Tower Society, the religion's administrative arm, that elders and door-to-door preachers needed to get police checks before working with children.
Victoria's Working With Children Act requires ministers of religion who have regular unsupervised contact with children to apply for background checks and the Catholic and Anglican churches say all ministers and volunteer workers routinely apply for such checks.
Although Jehovah's Witnesses say all members become ordained ministers at baptism, a spokesman for the Watch Tower Society said elders or other evangelists were not required to gain a police clearance. "We don't typically work with children, we don't have Sunday schools, so that law doesn't apply to us," the spokesman said.
But Mr Unthank said adult Jehovah's Witnesses often paired up with minors when preaching, with much of their time spent in cars calling on homes. Elders also mentored children and teens from religiously divided homes.
He said elders underwent no background checks before being appointed and were required only to voluntarily declare any convictions for sexual offences.
"Without police checks, how would a member of the public know it isn't a sex offender knocking on their door, talking with their kids?" he said.
Victoria Police say they investigate specific complaints about breaches of the Act, but government sources say the Watch Tower Society's stance remains "a worry".
"A lot of this is about reassurance to parents and the public, so their attitude isn't helpful," one source said.
Former Witness taking on Watch Tower
•Graeme Hammond
•From: Sunday Herald Sun
•April 10, 201112:00AM
A FORMER Jehovah's Witness is to launch a private criminal prosecution against the religion's world headquarters.
His action is in protest at its refusal to require church elders to submit to Working With Children police checks in Victoria
Steven Unthank, who says he was a victim of sexual assault by a church elder in Queensland, says he is taking the drastic step to protect children within the religion and at homes where Jehovah's Witnesses doorknock.
Mr Unthank, from Toongabbie in Gippsland, says he is frustrated over inaction by police and the Justice Department after the religion decided its ministers were not required to undergo police checks.
He hopes the state will take over the prosecution after court documents are filed on April 19.
Mr Unthank, 43, quit the religion in late 2009 after waging a long campaign to persuade the Watch Tower Society, the religion's administrative arm, that elders and door-to-door preachers needed to get police checks before working with children.
Victoria's Working With Children Act requires ministers of religion who have regular unsupervised contact with children to apply for background checks and the Catholic and Anglican churches say all ministers and volunteer workers routinely apply for such checks.
Although Jehovah's Witnesses say all members become ordained ministers at baptism, a spokesman for the Watch Tower Society said elders or other evangelists were not required to gain a police clearance. "We don't typically work with children, we don't have Sunday schools, so that law doesn't apply to us," the spokesman said.
But Mr Unthank said adult Jehovah's Witnesses often paired up with minors when preaching, with much of their time spent in cars calling on homes. Elders also mentored children and teens from religiously divided homes.
He said elders underwent no background checks before being appointed and were required only to voluntarily declare any convictions for sexual offences.
"Without police checks, how would a member of the public know it isn't a sex offender knocking on their door, talking with their kids?" he said.
Victoria Police say they investigate specific complaints about breaches of the Act, but government sources say the Watch Tower Society's stance remains "a worry".
"A lot of this is about reassurance to parents and the public, so their attitude isn't helpful," one source said.
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