The Truth About Jehovah's Witnesses

Why Do I Speak Out Against The Watchtower Society's Teachings?

2009-09-04T03:13:00.000-07:00

I have been asked by several jw's why it is that I am wasting my time speaking out against the teachings of the Watchtower. I tell them that while I am am quite against any high control group or cult that blasphemes Almighty God by spreading a different Gospel than the one Jesus came to share with humanity, I was part of the jw's for many decades and I know their teachings better than those of any other group.

I also feel that coming out of that cult I can better understand the mindset of any jw and am in a singular position to try to reach them and bring them the Light of Jesus Christ so they can also find their way out of that group. A song woke me up a while back and by the way it expresses how a man might show someone else what he has been through in his life to get back to Jesus. that perhaps he can make a difference and help someone to find the Lord God.

Why Do Jehovah's Witnesses Not Allow Deuteronomy 18:20-22 To Be Applied To Their Own Organization?

2009-09-01T08:43:00.000-07:00

From their own New World Translation:

Deut. 18:20-22

20 “‘However, the prophet who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded him to speak or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet must die. 21 And in case you should say in your heart: “How shall we know the word that Jehovah has not spoken?” 22 when the prophet speaks in the name of Jehovah and the word does not occur or come true, that is the word that Jehovah did not speak. With presumptuousness the prophet spoke it. You must not get frightened at him.’

I know they claim that they are only spirit guided and not inspired and that they never claimed to be prophets. Therefore they say that this hard hitting scripture cannot be applied to them. But what about this? Page 197 of the April 1, 1972 Watchtower Magazine says under the heading of: IDENTIFYING THE “PROPHET” These questions can be answered in the affirmative. Who is this prophet? The clergy of the so-called “Christian” nations hold themselves before the people as being the ones commissioned to speak for God. But, as pointed out in the previous issue of this magazine, they have failed God and failed as proclaimers of his kingdom by approving a man-made political organization, the League of Nations (now the United Nations), as “the political expression of the Kingdom of God on earth.” However, Jehovah did not let the people of Christendom, as led by the clergy, go without being warned that the League was a counterfeit substitute for the real kingdom of God. He had a “prophet” to warn them. This “prophet” was not one man, but was a body of men and women. It was the small group of footstep followers of Jesus Christ, known at that time as International Bible Students. Today they are known as Jehovah’s Christian witnesses. They are still proclaiming a warning, and have been joined and assisted in their commissioned work by hundreds of thousands of persons who have listened to their message with belief. --(Emphasis mine)

I think that it is clear that they are calling themselves prophets in this article. An article that was written during the height of their false claims that the great tribulation would be complete by the end of 1975 and that Christ's Millennial Reign would begin immediately after. How many times does a prophet have to be wrong I wonder to qualify as a false prophet? One false claim is all it should take. GOD's reputation will not be sullied by the false claims of evil men. So, whether the Watchtower Society's leadership thinks that no one should apply Deuteronomy 18:20-22 to them or not, I believe that we are correct to not be afraid of them and in fact should disregard everything the Watchtower Society prints as being of Satan. After all, GOD will apply Deuteronomy 18:20-22 to all false prophets...The Watchtower Society included.

Source material for 1975 claims:

Audio of their governing body member Brother Franz saying that it would all be over by the end of 1975:

Text of the audio: "...So you see, we don't have much left to this year nineteen hundred and seventy-five, It's gonna end at sundown on September the fifth, and that immediately after September the fifth why the Millennial Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ MUST begin in order to fulfill the final thousand years of God's great seventh creative day. And they're expecting the Great Tribulation to occur, and the destruction of Babylon the Great, and the annihilation of the political systems of this world, and then the binding of Satan and his demons, and their abyssing to occur before this year is ended, this year nineteen hundred and seventy-five. And immediately thereafter the thousand - year Reign of the Lord Jesus Christ to begin."

Jehovah's Witnesses & Former jw's, Are You Or Were You Ever...?

2009-07-24T21:13:00.000-07:00

ASHAMED?

Ashamed to admit that you either are or were a jw?

I have been having a discussion with a fellow ex jw this evening over pecan pie and ice cold milk and the topic of pride and shame came up. I discovered that while my companion was well known to his classmates and neighbors as a jw and he took great pride in his role as a jw. He was hated at school but used that to puff himself up with pride he says.

This seemed foreign to me because as I was growing up in the 1960's and 1970's my being a jw caused me nothing but grief. From problems with teachers and students to neighbors making fun of me I felt a dread anytime I felt that someone new might learn of my parent's choice in religion.

Even now, when I speak to current and former coworkers I never, and I mean NEVER let them know anything about my ties to the Watchtower.

How about you? Anyone out there ever ashamed of your jw-ness?

Are The jw's Jehovah's Special People?

2009-06-21T13:42:00.000-07:00

The apostrophe added to the name "Jehovah" does tend to infer ownership over the jw's. But not because they are HIS special people. They are HIS because HE owns EVERYTHING.

jw's believe that they are the one true religion and God's sole channel of communication with mankind. They speak of their organization as being "the truth". So, they believe that the only way one might survive armageddon is by joining their organization and following the man-made rules set forth by their elitist governing body.

The following is a list of criteria the Watchtower gives to determine the “one true religion.” This particular list is found on pages 26-27 of the 1996 Watchtower publication, What Does God Require of Us?:

* Avoid War and Politics
* Avoid Pagan Holidays
* Reject the Trinity Doctrine
* Reject the Immortality of the Soul and Hell
* Must Preach the Kingdom
* Must Proclaim the Name “Jehovah” for God

They claim that to be the "ONE TRUE" religion, an organization must adhere to this criteria and that theirs is the only one that does so. However, close examination shows that this criteria is not exclusive to the jw's, for the following religions also embrace these doctrines:

*Assemblies of Yahweh
*Assemblies of the Called out Ones of Ya
*House of Yahweh
*Assembly of YHWH Yeshua
*Christadelphians

Since the Watchtower Society (jw's leadership) claims that there is only one true Christian religion, how can its criteria to determine “the Truth” prove that it is the only true religion, when other religions also fulfill its criteria? It is evident by this fact that the Watchtower's religion is not unique in its beliefs and practices on what it calls “the Truth,” the criteria it gives cannot be used to determine that it is the “only true religion.”

So, if not jw's, Who is the Truth? Well, the Bible does not point us to any particular church or organization to find Truth. On the contrary, it points to a Person, rather than a religion as being “the Truth.” At John 14:6, Jesus proclaimed, “I am …the truth,” and in His prayer to the Father, He said, “Sanctify them by means of the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:17) Who is the living “Word” who is “Truth”? John 1:14 tells us, “…the Word became flesh and resided among us, and we had a view of his glory, a glory such as belongs to an only-begotten son from a father.” (John 1:14) Not only do we see Jesus being identified in Scripture as “the Truth,” but He proclaims at John 5:39-40 that all of Scripture was written to “bear witness” about Him!

So, we can see that while the jw's set forth a criteria they claim to be exclusive to their organization and because they claim to be Jehovah's witnesses and that they are HIS special property that does not make their claims true nor does it prove they are the Truth.

How To Deal With Troubles And Lack Of Faith

2009-06-14T18:51:00.001-07:00

This sort of thing happens to most of us a few times during the course of our lives. I have lost homes and jobs and felt like I was at my rope's end and all I could do was tie that rope's end into a noose and slip it over my head. But my faith kept me going. I was one of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Then one day my faith was gone when I saw the Watchtower as it truly is. An unfeeling cult and an evil publishing corporation. I was devastated. All the years my folks had put into learning the so-called truth and raising me in the organization had been a complete and total waste of time and an utter loss to me.

I was ashamed of being so totally fooled and for having hurt members of my family who had been shunned by the organization because they simply questioned the teachings of this group of men. Besides that I didn't know where to go because I felt like there must be no God and I sank into an ever deepening depression.

Finally I decided to open up the Bible alone and not use any of the watchtower Society's Bible filtering literature and pray to God for the Holy Spirit to open my eyes so I could understand what HIS WORD was trying to do with me.

I abandoned the Watchtower's false Jesus who they claim is Archangel Michael and their false Gospel and I accepted the Jesus of the Bible into my heart and gave myself totally over to Him as His slave. My eyes have been opened and I am now saved by the Grace of God through the shed Blood of our Lord Jesus.

My ministry as a jw was always hit and miss and I never felt like I was ever doing enough due to the hounding of the elders. I also never felt like I could wholeheartedly teach anyone without holding back some of the truths about their truth that were never to be disclosed before the person was already in so deep that they had nowhere else to go.

Today after about 8 months as a Christian minister I am happy in my service to my Lord and my community. I help spread the Word of GOD and I also share anti-cult information and minister to Jehovah's Witnesses to expose the false teachings of the Watchtower Society so they might have their eyes opened by Christ Jesus and come to our Lord for sayings of everlasting life.

So, in a nutshell, when I feel like my faith is gone I reach way down and find a way to kneel and approach my loving Father in heaven and tell HIM that I NEED HIM. I NEED HIS help, His hand on my shoulder, and His Spirit to keep me strong and to be able to endure the ugly things and distractions of this old and dying world.

The Truth About 1975

2009-06-14T08:48:00.000-07:00

When someone trumps the Bible with something men write they define their organization as a cult. When that organization makes false predictions for the end of times they become a false prophet. When an organization claims that God cleansed His house in 1918 and that house still reeks of hypocrisy,lies, and sexual abuses 91 years later, then that house was either not cleansed or was never God's house to begin with.

In the past their leadership has lied to the jw's. Sadly some things never
change. In 1975 they lied to them and now they are lying to them again at their district conventions this summer about the generation who saw 1914 and the 1975 Armageddon scare at their district conventions. Here is something the Watchtower Society does not want them to hear.

"...So you see, we don't have much left to this year nineteen hundred and seventy-five, It's gonna end at sundown on September the fifth, and that immediately after September the fifth why the Millennial Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ MUST begin in order to fulfill the final thousand years of God's great seventh creative day. And they're expecting the Great Tribulation to occur, and the destruction of Babylon the Great, and the annihilation of the political systems of this world, and then the binding of Satan and his demons, and their abyssing to occur before this year is ended, this year nineteen hundred and seventy-five. And immediately thereafter the thousand - year Reign of the Lord Jesus Christ to begin."

Don't believe me? That's ok, because I located an audio recording of these words taken from the public discourse February 10th, 1975 at a convention in Los Angeles, CA. Listen to it and decide for yourself....

Thanks and credit go to JW Media Films for this video!
http://www.youtube.com/user/JWMediaFilms

Jehovah's Witnesses Misquote Their Cited Sources

2009-06-11T00:02:00.000-07:00

The latest example I have uncovered has to do with misquoting the historian Tacitus regarding the Crucifixion of Christians.

"The historian Tacitus reports: “They [Christians] died by methods of mockery; some were covered with the skins of wild beasts and then torn by dogs, some were [impaled]* " (Revelation Its Grand Climax at Hand Page 101).

* footnote
"Compare New World Translation Reference Bible, page 1577, appendix 5C, “Torture Stake.” "------

Here is what Tacitus actually wrote:
They died by methods of mockery; some were covered with the skins of wild beasts and then torn by dogs, some were CRUCIFIED, [Emphasis Mine] (Tacitus, Annals xv.44).

Why Do Jehovah's Witnesses Misquote From Cited Sources? Could it be in hopes that people won't actually look up the citation and just accept their false word on the matter and be more easily converted into a cult member?

More Watchtower Double Standards And Hypocrisy

2009-05-30T00:40:00.000-07:00

Page 29 of the July 2009 Awake! Magazine has an article dealing with freedom to choose your own religion and asks if it’s wrong to change your religion. It even makes this strong statement:
"No one should be forced to worship in a way that he finds unacceptable or be made to choose between his beliefs and his family" This new article exposes a glaring double standard. They print up this sort of thing to make themselves seem like they are decent just like Satan transforms himself into an angel of light. The problem is that they do not allow their own members such freedoms.

They demand strict loyalty and anyone who chooses another path is excommunicated and shunned even by close family. They do not allow for anyone to leave the group in good standing. If you leave you are demonized as an apostate or immoral or some other unsavory label is attached to you.

"But the disfellowshipped relative should be made to appreciate that his status has changed, that he is no longer welcome in the home nor is he a preferred companion." (Watchtower 6/1/1970 Questions from the readers section on page 352)

Now you jw's are gonna say this is an old article. But it's on your 2008 CD ROM and if it served one of your purposes it would not be an old article.....---

"After hearing a talk at a circuit assembly, a brother and his fleshly sister realized that they needed to make adjustments in the way they treated their mother, who lived elsewhere and who had been disfellowshipped for six years. Immediately after the assembly, the man called his mother, and after assuring her of their love, he explained that they could no longer talk to her unless there were important family matters requiring contact. Shortly thereafter, his mother began attending meetings and was eventually reinstated. Also, her unbelieving husband began studying and in time was baptized." (Our Kingdom Ministry August 2002 Page 3)---

Notice how the mother was PRESSURED by the loss of her children to return? This is a form of abuse and is very evident in most cults.

As usual, the Watchtower Society printing sweetness and smiles while enforcing harsh rules and mind control techniques. How hypocritical! Do not be misled by the syrupy droolings coming of the Society's lips. They are like the Pharisees of Jesus Day. Whitewashed graves full of vile things and dead men's bones.....

NO! I Have To Touch It! (My memorial rant)

2009-04-14T03:29:00.000-07:00

I think I posted on here that I went to the memorial last week. My wife's dad has been a jw for over 50 years and has never missed a memorial before. He has been getting sicker and sicker and his wife the star pioneer still does nothing for him. So, he asks me to take him to the memorial. I love him like my own dad and will do anything within reason for him, so I agreed. Well, my wife was too sick to go again this year and I told my son he didn't have to go.

My father in law needs a cane to walk and is in such pain that he can hardly even move. All of his cervical bones are fused together with only the atlas left as a free moving structure. He also has terrible bone spurs in his neck and cluster headaches to boot. So we go inside the rented hall and sit in the back. My FIL is so sick he can barely lift his hand to shake hands with folks. As the talk progresses he is doubled over in pain and trying to keep quiet instead of moaning as he typically does at home. It breaks my heart to see this once strong and good man reduced to this.

So they pass the bread and he takes it from his wife and passes it to me. His arm was shaking but he managed ok. Then he got a bad wave of pain and he almost fell out of the chair. I asked him if he needed anything or if he wanted to go and he said that he had to stay because Jehovah wants him to be there. I thought to myself that a God of mercy wouldn't mind him being more comfortable in his bed and just being there in spirit...He was gonna stay...period.

So, here comes the wine. He is still doubled over and his wife tries to pass it to him and he can't move. So she asks him if he wants to try and pass it. He can't answer her so she tries to pass it to me. He said in a pained and rather loud voice, "NO! Tengo que tocarlo!" In English that is, "NO! I have to touch it!" So he struggled until he got hold of it and passed the wine-glass to me. After he went through all that the glass just went on and on and on. No one really making an effort or even seeming to want to drink any of the wine. And it hit me. These people are truly controlled by the Watchtower. They fear missing a memorial of a covenant they are not even part of. They fear not getting to touch a plate or a glass. If this isn't idolatry I don't know what else is.

When I got home I almost cried because of how much pain my FIL is in and how much he exerted himself to touch a glass of wine. It was as if his very life emanated from touching that damned glass. And I remembered a scene in an old classic horror film where The Mummy was trying to get this elixir to keep on living. Well one of the protagonists of the film either dropped the vile or threw it on the ground shattering the container and letting the elixir drip into the cracks of the floor. There goes the Mummy, on his belly sucking the floor trying to get any drop of it. He didn't get any and he died. That is what my FIL reminded me of, a person desperate for a life giving elixir, or perhaps a man gasping for air. I have been wanting to talk to him about this because he is very proud of himself for having made it to yet another one of these ridiculous events. I happened to be recording the event for my wife's benefit as well as for my blog, and I captured his face and voice as he said how he had to touch it. When I played the video for my wife she cried. She saw her dad suffering and then felt like she is going to be punished by Jehovah for missing it when her dad went as sick as he was.

I am really at my wits end with this cult. I am sick of seeing how it chews up people, destroys their lives and then just craps them out. I am sorry. I just had to vent and share what's going on inside me.....

Armageddon Clean Up

2009-04-13T04:10:00.000-07:00

The Watchtower used to teach that the animals would feast on the cadavers and the survivors would only bury bones. Then they say that the animals won't be able to do what the Bible says they will do. Apparently they have no idea what is going to happen.

Here is what their publications say:

"With such a glorious feast of victory concluded, only the bones, bones from one end of the earth to the other, will be left for burial. What a task that will be for the survivors, to cleanse the earth of every remaining evidence of Gog’s forces! Even with the work well organized it will take seven months, Jehovah says, just to bury the bones. Scouting corps will be sent out on a full-time basis to search the land thoroughly and, when bones are found, markers will be set up for those with the spades and shovels who follow." (Watchtower 8/1/1956 page 465 paragraph 17)---

"Soon the war of Armageddon will finish off the wicked old world. The surviving New World society will remove the debris of war and bury the bones of the wicked." (Watchtower 2/15/1957 page 112)---

"The air will not be polluted by the smell nor the water contaminated by these dead corpses. Those who survive, being unable to bury such great numbers, will not be in danger of decimation by disease epidemic. Jesus, when on earth, told his disciples: “Wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.” "
(Watchtower 7/1/1967 page 408)

Then, more recently they have taught with speculation and guesses that despite what the Bible says, the animals will not be up to the task of eating the dead bodies. So Jehovah may have to use antimatter to dissolve the bodies.

Antimatter
Who are they to dispute the Bible's description?

Also listen to the talk by Watchtower Representative Ciro Aulicino - You Will Be With Me in Paradise

Audio Link

This guy is a real kook that makes some far-fetched claims! (A snake may have a pretty face?) LOL

Why Do The JW'S Give The Governing Body So Much Authority?

2009-04-07T04:56:00.001-07:00

"In every organization, there must be some who exercise authority or provide direction. Jehovah’s Witnesses are no exception, and they observe the authority structure outlined by the apostle Paul: “The head of every man is the Christ; in turn the head of a woman is the man; in turn the head of the Christ is God.” (1 Corinthians 11:3) In harmony with this, only qualified men serve as elders in the congregations. And although Jesus—“the head of every man”—is in heaven, there are still on earth “the remaining ones” of his anointed brothers, who have the hope of ruling with him in the heavens. (Revelation 12:17; 20:6) These make up the composite “faithful and discreet slave.” Christians show their submission to Jesus, and therefore to Jesus’ head, Jehovah, by accepting the oversight of that “slave.” " (Watchtower 9/1/1998 page 15 paragraph 7)[Emphasis mine]

Did you catch how they twisted the scripture at 1 Corinthians 11:3? Instead of leaving "the head of the man is Christ", they added in how, Christ's brothers are still here and are supposed to exercise Christ-like authority. It's disgusting to me how these brothers of Christ are not to rule until they get to heaven, but they are usurping Christ's headship over every man by assuming His role while they are still sinful humans.

By adding to the scriptures they manipulate their followers and condemn themselves to everlasting cutting off. While waiting until God's judgment is ideal, it does nothing to help those who are being misled in the here and now. We need to pray for these people and help them to search their Bibles for truth before it's too late.

Only 144,000 In The New Covenant?

2009-03-31T11:14:00.000-07:00

You may or not be aware that the Watchtower teaches that Jesus is not the Mediator between God and men. They teach that Jesus Mediates between God and their remnant of the 144,000 anointed Christians. They have gone to great lengths to spread this doctrine and make sure that millions understand that they have no hope for eternity in heaven. But is this Biblical?

How can they teach this when Galatians 4:22-31 makes a strong case for Millions of people being in the New Covenant? Let's read what their own New World translation says.

Galatians 4:22-31
22 For example, it is written that Abraham acquired two sons, one by the servant girl and one by the free woman; 23 but the one by the servant girl was actually born in the manner of flesh, the other by the free woman through a promise. 24 These things stand as a symbolic drama; for these [women] mean two covenants, the one from Mount Si′nai, which brings forth children for slavery, and which is Ha′gar. 25 Now this Ha′gar means Si′nai, a mountain in Arabia, and she corresponds with the Jerusalem today, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.
27 For it is written: “Be glad, you barren woman who does not give birth; break out and cry aloud, you woman who does not have childbirth pains; for the children of the desolate woman are more numerous than [those] of her who has the husband.” 28 Now we, brothers, are children belonging to the promise the same as Isaac was. 29 But just as then the one born in the manner of flesh began persecuting the one born in the manner of spirit, so also now. 30 Nevertheless, what does the Scripture say? “Drive out the servant girl and her son, for by no means shall the son of the servant girl be an heir with the son of the free woman.” 31 Wherefore, brothers, we are children, not of a servant girl, but of the free woman.

One Flock One Shepherd

2009-03-30T15:46:00.000-07:00

The Watchtower Society teaches a two class Christianity because they misinterpret the Bible. They confuse the Little Flock of Jesus' disciples (Luke 12:32) with the 144,000 of Revelation chapters 7 and 14, while applying the term other sheep (John 10:16) Jesus referred to as the Great Crowd of Revelation.

If read in context from Luke 12:22-32 it becomes plain that Jesus was speaking of the little flock made up of his disciples. If we consider what John wrote about the other sheep, since Jesus came primarily to the Jews, the other sheep clearly applies to the Gentiles. It's also interesting that Jesus said there would be ONE flock one Shepherd, not two flocks or two classes of Christians like the Watchtower claims, but instead ONE Faith, ONE Hope, and ONE group of people following the ONE Shepherd.

The Book of Acts in Chapters 10 and 11 we see how Peter was to bring in the other sheep, the Gentiles into the flock. By allowing salvation to extend beyond Israel's borders, Jesus brought together sheep from two folds into one flock.

Basically the Watchtower reads WAAAAY too much into the Scriptures in order to manipulate the minds of people and to lead Jesus sheep away from His care and into the mouths of the wolves who run the Watchtower Society.

Racism In The Watchtower

2009-03-24T05:21:00.001-07:00

Racism in the Jehovah Witness Watchtower
The Jehovah Witness Watchtower organization has a long history of denigrating the ethnicities of its members. Just as the slave master kept slaves in enforced ignorance, the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society keeps its members in ignorance.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/79332/racism_in_the_jehovah_witness_watchtower.html

Are The JW's Modern Day Alexandrian Cultists?

2009-03-19T23:21:00.000-07:00

I was doing some research on Bible manuscripts this evening and I found something very interesting. When the Bible was first being translated into English that scrolls and books were gathered together from all over the world and with only some spelling differences in some names of people and cities like Peter / Pedro, they were all the same. They were exact copies of one another.

The one exception was the Alexandrian Bible. It was written by some folks called the Alexandrians. The scholar mentioned that they were sort of like Jehovah's Witnesses because they called themselves Christians but they believed a lot of strange things. Apparently they didn't like some verses in the good copy of the Bible they had so they took them out and added in others to fit their beliefs and created a new version of the Bible.

This altered version it is claimed to be the basis for the Catholic Douay Bible, Westcott & Hort's Translation and the New World Translation which is used by the jw's.

I am going to be doing more research on this, because I feel it deserves my time. If I find anything out I will be sure to share it here with you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aI0emSheXRY

Will I Make It Through Armageddon?

2009-03-19T16:56:00.000-07:00

I think I can say that yes I will. Now that Jesus has brought me close to Him.

It is certainly a relief after being in the Jehovah's Witnesses all my life. Always worrying if I put in enough hours in field service to get myself through the door at Armageddon. Or wondering if missing the first song at the circuit assembly might be enough to have Jehovah throw me into everlasting cutting off. Or watching an R rated movie and enjoying it, then bumping into a brother from the hall in the bathroom and fretting over whether or not he saw me enter or leave the R rated movie....Would he tell on me? Should I go to the elders right away and beat him to the punch and CONFESS my sin of watching a movie? Or should I chance it that he didn't see me or have him tell them whatever he wants, get dragged into a judicial committee, not cry and whimper over seeing a movie and getting disfellowshipped for having the wrong "attitude". What if Armageddon comes while I'm disfellowshipped? Will my underaged kids perish with me because I was still disfellowshipped when I was killed at Armageddon?

Yea, having faith in Jesus, whose load is light is better than having faith in the Watchtower who burdens people with so much that they can't even think straight.

What If Jehovah's Witnesses Are Wrong?

2009-03-18T03:17:00.000-07:00

If they are wrong they will all be lost. If I am wrong I am lost. What makes this so sad is that many of them will never have the chance to find out before it's too late if they could have it all wrong. They are not allowed to delve into the past of their organization. They are not allowed to share any unfavorable facts about the organization that they discover without facing severe repercussions. They are not even allowed to do any Bible reading or any research without the "Aids" provided with the Watchtower.

In fact, discussing Bible topics here in this or any other online forum is "Not Authorized" by their governing body (September 2007 Our Kingdom Ministry Question Box). When they make a statement like that, it is the same as making a law against discussing the Bible online. No one is allowed to question or go against any teaching of the governing body because in a jw's mind, the teaching is coming from Almighty Jehovah God.

They are in essence told that no research is necessary on their part because there are brothers at Bethel (HQ) that are assigned to do it for them (Watchtower 6/1/1967 page 338 paragraph 12). RED FLAG! Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain! This is a dangerous thing, the idea of simply allowing the thoughts and ideas of others to be fed into your mind without the benefit of comparing the information against another source. These are strong indicators that a high control group or even a cult is at work, controlling the information its members/worshipers receive in order to better control their thoughts and actions.

The Watchtower Society is fond of referring to itself as the earthly Mother of God's children. They consider the organization to be the earthly representation of the Woman of Revelation 12:13-14. They also claim to be the faithful and discreet slave who is to feed Jehovah's people their spiritual food at its proper time.

As Christian people, each of us will render an account to the Lord before His throne on Judgment Day. He will demand to know what we were thinking when we did this or that or when we didn't do something. What are the jw's going to say? That they did all the research they could and to the best of their knowledge they were serving Christ Jesus? Or will they in one united voice respond as Adam did to Jehovah when it was found out that he had eaten of the forbidden fruit? “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me [fruit] from the tree and so I ate. (Genesis 3:12). That answer didn't fly then and it won't fly on Judgment Day either.

When I was attending the meetings as an active jw, one of my favorites of all the Kingdom Melodies was number 191, Make The Truth Your Own. It finally dawned on this fat old cowboy that in order to make the truth my own I had to really delve deeply into God's Word and do a lot of praying and research and compare what I was being fed by the Watchtower to what the Bible teaches. I found that the Watchtower diet was not spiritually nourishing at all. I found out they are wrong and made sure that I am right, so when I face Jesus on Judgment day I can answer with full confidence that my efforts were strong in digging for His truth. I left the Watchtower cult, and I recommend that any jw's that have doubts or questions should dig for the truth and make it their own.

The Kingdom Is Here?

2009-03-17T07:50:00.001-07:00

How can the jw's insist that God's Kingdom is a literal government, that it has arrived, and can be pointed to as they say, 'Look here, it's physically represented by the Watchtower Organization!' (Watchtower 3/15/1995 page 30), especially in light of what Jesus said about the Kingdom?

"Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you." " (Luke 17:20-21).

The 3/15/1995 Watctower page 30 says, "Evidently, the psalmist raised his eyes to the mountains of Jerusalem where Jehovah’s temple and the earthly seat of the theocratic government were situated. From this we can rightly conclude that help needed to praise God and declare the Kingdom message comes only from Jehovah and his organization.—Psalm 3:4; Daniel 6:10.Today, those who desire to praise Jehovah can expect loving assistance from his earthly organization."---

I researched the Kingdom Interlinear Translation and the Greek text says this, "neither will they say Look! here or There; look! for kingdom of the God inside of YOU . is."

A scan I have of Luke 17:20-21 in the KIT: http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/Watchtower_Facts/Luke_17_21_kit.jpg

So, how do they reconcile that they are pointing to God's Kingdom being here and represented by their Watchtower Society when Jesus said plainly that the Kingdom is inside us (and is borne out by the Greek text), and not something that you can point at and say, Look here it is...?

A Problem With The WT's Kingdom Interlinear Translation

2009-03-17T00:42:00.000-07:00

In the 1969 KIT the society used a book by Bible scholar Justus Lipsius as source material for their upright stake "Stauros" doctrine of the death of Christ. They used an image of a man hung on an upright stake with no crossbeam attached to it. Then they placed a caption under it saying that the illustration came from Lipsius. This implies that Lipsius actually backed their teaching. The thing is that Lipsius had included in his book many, many illustrations of various methods and implements of crucifixion. They didn't show all of them, just that one. Also, if you read his writings, Lipsius taught that Jesus was actually crucified on a cross. So, they were using dishonest means to get people to believe that Justus Lipsius supported an anti-cross teaching.

Well, Christian groups fell on the society like a thousand of brick. They called them on their lie and so the society had to change things. But how do they make a change to keep from being sued while still maintaining a false teaching? Easy, they make an updated KIT in 1985 and remove ALL references to Lipsius' work. All they really use is that same image of a man impaled on an upright stake with no reference to its source. They also never made the information about their shenanigans available to the rank and file jw's. They never counted on people actually ignoring their command to not delve into their past I guess.

So, here I have to share with you all is some scans I have from BOTH KITs and several of Lipsius' illustrations. They are graphic so if you are squeamish I advise against looking at them.
Enjoy!

Lorenzo

http://s429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/Watchtower_Facts/Justus%20Lipsius/

What Is An Apostate To A JW?

2009-03-16T23:51:00.000-07:00

Here is their official description:

Apostasy.

Apostasy is a standing away from, a falling away, defection,rebellion, abandonment; it involves teaching falsedoctrines, supporting or promoting false religion and itsholidays or interfaith activities.

Apostasy includes action taken against true worship ofJehovah or his established order among his dedicatedpeople.

Persons who deliberately spread (stubbornly hold to andspeak about) teachings contrary to Bible truth as taughtby Jehovah's Witnesses are apostates.

If it is learned that a person has taken up association withanother religious organization, the matter should be investigated, and if verified, a committee should be formed.If it is clearly established that the person has joined another religion and intends to remain with it, the 94 "Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock" elders would make a brief announcement to the congregation that such- one has disassociated himself. (w86 10/15 p. 31 )

Working secularly for a false religious organization couldput one in a position similar to that of one preaching falsedoctrine.

Celebrating a false religious holiday would be similar toperforming any other act of false worship. (Jer. 7:16-19)

The Bible condemns the following:
Causing divisions and promoting sects. This would be deliberate action disrupting the unity of the congregation or undermining the confidence of the brothers in Jehovah's arrangement. It may involve or lead to apostasy.

The practice of spiritism.

Idolatry.

Idolatry includes the possession and use of images and pictures that are employed in false religion (Pay Attention to Yourselves and All The Flock). ---

The dictionary defines an apostate as one who has abandoned one's religious faith, a political party, one's principles, or a cause. To abandon ones faith in God is what I believe is the most common rendition of what the word means. Jehovah's Witnesses call an apostate anyone who disgrees with, questions, or speaks against their almighty governing body. I think a key statement they make is this one, "Persons who deliberately spread (stubbornly hold to and speak about) teachings contrary to Bible truth as taught by Jehovah's Witnesses are apostates."---

In their view a Bible truth is only a truth as they teach it. They keep on changing what they believe and teach so there is nothing you can pin them down with since their truth changes, unlike Jehovah, The Rock who never changes.

For instance, I never lost my faith in God YAHWEH, I AM, YHWH, JEHOVAH. I simply found out the truth about the lies that make up the Watchtower organization and left. Now I am an apostate to them.

Romans 10:9 Proves That Jesus IS Jehovah

2009-03-14T19:07:00.000-07:00

In the jw's Kingdom Interlinear translation of the Greek Scriptures they went to great effort to show that the Tetragrammaton was SUPPOSED to be in the Greek texts. So, every time the Name Jehovah appears they show a footnote directing the reader to see how Ky'ri*os applies always to JEHOVAH in one or more of their J Documents.

While it is never acceptable to add or delete words from God's Word, it would be more understandable if they were at least consistent with this misuse of the Divine Name. However they don't. There is a double standard at work here.

If the jw's would check out Romans 10:9 in their Kingdom Interlinear Bible they will see how there is a footnote on LORD. The text reads, "For if you publicly declare that ‘word in your own mouth,’ that Jesus is Lord*,..." This shows how they use Ky'ri*os in Greek and Ha' a*dhohn in Hebrew to show how the Tetragrammaton should go there. But at the end of the footnote they just add in, "Not Jehovah" WHAT!! They use this formula to insert YHWH into the Greek text where it does not go, but when it shows us that Jesus IS Jehovah they say the formula should not be used?

How is anything they say supposed to mean anything?

Let's see how long it will be before the Watchtower Society yanks those Interlinears off the shelves!

Scans from the NWT Bible and the Kingdom Interlinear.
Ha Adon in the 1961 NWT pg 1453http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/Watchtower_Facts/haadon.jpg
Roman 10:9 in the KIThttp://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/Watchtower_Facts/romans109.jpg

Who Is In The New Covenant?

2009-03-05T23:14:00.000-08:00

The Bible plainly states that the New Covenant applies to all men.
"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus, who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all" (Timothy 2:5,6)---

Not surprisingly the Watchtower Society has an opposite view from the Scriptures.Regarding those who are not of their 144,000 anointed "Class" of people they say: "Christ does not act as Mediator of the new covenant toward them..." (Watchtower of 2/15/1991 p.18).---
Their second president, Judge rutherford speaking for the Watchtower taught that only 144,000 people make up the New Covenant, and that Jesus is mediator for them and them alone. Of the billions and billions of people that have ever lived, the New Covenant is only open to that special class of 144,000 people, of which 50,000 lived in the first half on the 1900's.

By saying that the jw's can only have a relationship with their Savior if they are united with the Slave Class, Rutherford usurped tremendous power from Jesus onto himseelf and the following leaders of the Watchtower Organization, effectively creating the structure necessary for and indicative of a cult. If Jesus is the Intermediary between God and the 144,000, then the Watchtower Society is set up as the intermediary between Christ and Men (Watchtower 11/15/1981 Page 21 Paragraph 18).

Biblically speaking however, there is no intermediary between humanity and Christ; Jesus is both our Mediator and High Priest. "But I want YOU to know that the head of every man is the Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:3). So if they believe that the New Covenant is not applicable to all, then they are following a false teaching that betrays the truth of God's Word the Bible.

JW's Discussing Sex In Front Of Children. Is This Right?

2009-02-17T00:28:00.000-08:00

Wow, I would have to say no. I feel that anything to do with sex should be left up to the parents to explain. I would imagine that if taken before a sympathetic school counselor that quite a bit of trouble could be made for the elders of any congregation who took it upon themselves to read what could be considered abusive language to a child or where a child could hear it.

I am referring to the Watchtower Article that was studied on February 15, 2009, paragraph 10 in particular. Here is an excerpt:

"We also need to be obedient when dealing with members of the opposite sex. We know that God's Word forbids fornication. However, it is easy to let an obedient spirit lapse into a permissive one. For instance, some youths have engaged in oral or anal sex or mutual masturbation, rationalizing that these acts are not so bad because they think they are technically not "having sex." Such youths forget-or may choose to ignore-that the Bible word for fornication includes all those practices, wrong conduct for which one might be disfellowshipped."

As far as the excerpt, I find fault with some of the material it covers. I feel the wbts has gone beyond what is written when discussing mutual masturbation . Nowhere in the Bible is masturbation condemned, mutual or otherwise. In fact applying it to fit the porneia definition is just plain silly. Porneia / fornication have a varying range of applications, but I could find no concordance outside of the wbts that mentions masturbation as linked with porneia. The society is dictating its own rules and laws here and has clearly gone beyond what is in the Bible with that application at least.

If I was still attending their meetings and had a young child I would consider running this by child services to see if they broke any decency laws by presenting this information in front of the kids.

References:

American Heritage Dictionary defines Fornication as Sexual intercourse between partners who are not married to each other.

Strong's G4202 - porneia:

1) Illicit sexual intercourse
a) Adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc.
b) Sexual intercourse with close relatives; Lev. 18
c) Sexual intercourse with a divorced man or woman; Mk. 10:11, 12
2) metaph. the worship of idols
a) Of the defilement of idolatry, as incurred by eating the sacrifices offered to idols

The New Testament Greek Lexicon Definition:

• Illicit sexual intercourse
• Adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc.
• Sexual intercourse with close relatives; Lev. 18
• Sexual intercourse with a divorced man or woman; Mk. 10:11,
• Metaph. the worship of idols
• Of the defilement of idolatry, as incurred by eating the sacrifices offered to idols

Is God Using The Watchtower Society?

2009-02-14T09:56:00.000-08:00

One of the most highly promulgated of the Watchtower Society's teachings is that in order to be acceptable to God Jehovah you MUST be baptized into His organization.

Here are some quotes from their literature:

"PUT FAITH in a VICTORIOUS ORGANIZATION" - The Watchtower, March 1, 1979 p. 1

"Any person who wants to survive into God's righteous new order urgently needs to come into a right relationship with Jehovah and His earthly organization now." - The Watchtower, November 15, 1981 pp. 16, 17

"... come to Jehovah's organization for salvation ..." - The Watchtower, November 15, 1981 p. 21

"A third requirement is that we be associated with God's channel, his organization. God has always used an organization. ... To receive everlasting life in the earthly Paradise we must identify that organization and serve God as part of it." - The Watchtower, February 15, 1983 p. 12

"identifying themselves with Jehovah's organization is essential to their salvation." - Our kingdom Ministry, November. 1990 p. 1

They claim that Jehovah has ALWAYS used an organization and that they are the modern day incarnation of that organization. But is this claim true? Is the WBTS really God's Organization?

In short there is no evidence of any kind. Especially lacking is any Biblical evidence that the Watchtower is any sort of organization being used by God. The time-line of the Watchtower Society goes back to the mid 19th century and no further back.

While they claim apostolic succession dating back to the First Century, there are no names to be found of anyone who passed the proverbial torch to C.T. Russell, the WBTS founder and first president. In fact, if God Jehovah were actually using an age-old organization to direct His works here on Earth, C.T. Russell either abandoned it or completely disregarded it in favor of starting his own organization.

JW Defense Against Charges Of Being False Prophets

2009-01-28T05:04:00.000-08:00

I was looking over the Yahoo! Answers page and found an interesting question and answer about how the jw's defend themselves when hit with charges of being a false prophet. I think you will enjoy Curious Jorge's response. (I copied/pasted it as is with no commentary or changes of any kind.)---
Q: Jehovah's Witnesses, what is your defense when the WTBTS is called a false prophet by many, according to scriptures?

A: From my experience, they have two primary defenses:-
1) They weren't really prophets; and
2) It's no big deal, because God's servants have been wrong before.

These two defenses are incredibly weak. Here's a brief rebuttal to each.

First, to the defense that the Watchtower/JW leadership weren't really prophets. While the Watchtower leaders have written articles describing themselves as "prophets" (see for example, chapter 4 of the book "The Nations Shall Know that I am Jehovah"), they claim that they are not "inspired."

Thus, the Watchtower Governing Body seems to have invented a new category for itself--that of the "uninspired true prophet."When it comes to the issue of the prophetic nature of the Governing Body, JWs parse words in such a way that would put former U.S. President Bill Clinton to shame (he's the one who said "it depends on what the definition of 'is' is").

I am of the opinion that talk is cheap, and a person or group of people is best judged by its actions. So, it makes more sense to look at the *actions* of the Governing Body and see if they *act* like they think they're modern day prophets.

For example, the Governing Body claims that God uses it as the sole channel of communication. In other words, God only speaks through them. Now, in the Bible, who did God speak through? Prophets.

Also, the Governing Body requires its followers (Jehovah's Witnesses) to believe and follow every religious pronouncement they make. For example, when the Governing Body decided in 2008 that the "generation" of Luke 21 no longer meant "wicked people" but now meant "anointed Christians," every single JW was *required* to change his/her belief on this matter. In other words, the Governing Body's pronouncement had the *exact same* effect as if it were part of Scripture.

So, it looks like the Governing Body is trying to "have its cake and eat it too." On one hand, the Governing Body expects its followers to believe and adhere to everything it says as if it were Scripture. But on the other hand, the Governing Body accepts no accountability when it's wrong...typical of a man-made organization.

The second defense incorrectly equates wrong expectations held by some early Christians with blatant false predictions such as "millions now living will never die" and proclamations that 1925 is "God's date and not ours." I guess some people can rationalize anything.

Also, to address the answer of "Line Dancer" regarding the example of Nathan and David. This has got to be the weakest JW defense I've seen in a while. How can you equate Nathan's general statement that David should do what's in his heart and that God was with him with the wild-eyed predictions of the Watchtower society? what a stretch!

And I love that paragraph from the Watchtower quoted in the answer of "Line Dancer." It contains an amazing number of logical fallacies--even for a Watchtower article!The fact is that the Bible is rife with warnings about false prophets. So, when a man or group of men make false predictions, of course they are going to try to rationalize their actions...like the kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Anyone looking at the matter objectively can see right through their excuses and cover stories.

Christian Witnesses Website

2009-01-27T12:38:00.000-08:00

There is a great website for active and former JW's who are interested in joining or starting up a bible reading group.

Here is a link to an introductory video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AELs6dLljC0

Did Jesus Die On A Cross Or A Torture Stake?

2009-01-24T01:47:00.001-08:00

Jehovah’s Witnesses go to great lengths to push the idea that Jesus did not die on a cross (Crux Duplex). Instead they insist that he died on a single upright stake (Crux Simplex). Now to me and I imagine most people, how the Lord Jesus died is not as important as the fact that He died and atoned for our sins. So, if He died on a stake, a cross, a gallows, was beheaded, or shot to death by a firing squad it makes no difference because the outcome would be the same. Jesus died for our sins.

Well, for whatever reason, the Watchtower Society stresses the idea of Jesus hanged on a stake instead of a cross and they have actually gone back to some very old writings to find support for their claim. One that is of great importance is the reference given in the Kingdom Interlinear Translation (KIT) to the book, De Cruce Liber Primus, which was written by the Catholic scholar Justus Lipsius of the 16th Century. As proof they offer a photograph of an illustration that depicts an upright stake with a man hanging on it in the 2nd column of page 647 of Lipsius’ book. They go on to say that this is the manner in which Jesus was impaled. This leads anyone reading this statement to believe that the Catholic scholar Justus Lipsius supported the Watchtower’s belief that Jesus died on an upright stake. If this is true, then all of the evidence should bear this out.

It’s important to ask if this one image is the only one in Lipsius’ book. If we look beyond the single image the Watchtower included in the KIT, we will see that according to his research there were many different types of torture employed by the Romans. He includes several different illustrations showing different methods of torturing people. We see a tree being used to hang up someone, an X cross with a man hung on it, a man impaled through his rectum with the stake protruding from his mouth, and a couple of versions of the crux duplex or the cross with a crossbeam such as used by Christendom to illustrate Jesus’ death. Now, to be fair, just because there are other illustrations in De Cruce Liber Primus, that is not proof that the Watchtower Society has lied or been deceptive in stating that the cross is not what Jesus died on. Even though it is troubling to me that they didn’t permit the other types of crosses to be shown in the KIT.

Where do we need to go to get proof that Jesus died on a cross and not on a torture stake?
Lipsius stated in a caption next to an illustration of a cross (Crux Duplex) in his book that, “In the Lord’s cross there were four pieces of wood, the upright beam, the crossbar, a tree trunk (a piece of wood) placed below, and the title (inscription) placed above.” So, instead of supporting the Watchtower’s false teaching that Jesus died on a torture stake, Lipsius actually supported the idea of a Christian cross with a crossbeam. Did the translating committee get away with this outright lie? No it did not. The Watchtower Society was confronted by Christian groups and was pressured to change it in the 1985 edition of the KIT. Now, they still quote Justus Lipsius and give their followers the impression that he supported the torture stake teaching held by the Watchtower which their adherents just blindly follow without question. I think it is funny that the book that they cite to support their teaching actually proves it to be a false teaching.

Something else to consider is what the Bible says about the wounds in Christ’s hands. If we read John 20:24-25 we see that it supports the teaching of the cross.

“But Thomas, one of the twelve, who was called The Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. Consequently the other disciples would say to him: “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them: “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails and stick my finger into the print of the nails and stick my hand into his side, I will certainly not believe.” ”

It clearly says the print of the NAILS, plural or more than one nail. If Jesus was hung like the Watchtower says, there would be a hole in each hand from ONE nail passing through them. But since it says NAILS it is obvious that Jesus hands must have been apart as they would be on a cross when he was nailed to it.

It is very important that we each do our own research and really study God’s Word. For one to blindly accept the doctrines of a group is lazy Christianity and it will get a person killed for following a false prophet.

A slideshow of the Lipsius illustrations is here:
http://s429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/Watchtower_Facts/Justus%20Lipsius/?albumview=slideshow

Special thanks to MCO4Help for research and clarification.

JW's Settle More Molestation Cases!

2009-01-16T14:46:00.000-08:00

Well, the fiend McLean is still on the run from justice, but the victims that he molested have received a settlement from the Watchtower as payment for its involvement in it I imagine. It's too bad the law has not yet caught up to this monster so he can pay what he owes too. I am wondering what the jw's that keep making excuses and denying anything is wrong with their organization will say to this. I bet they keep going on with their Watchtower Blinders on even tighter. What a shame.

Internet Dangers Internet Dangers Internet Dangers

2009-01-15T06:53:00.000-08:00

The Watchtower cult leadership fears information more than anything. They would love nothing more than to keep all of their people shut inside and only allowed to read their books and magazines. They struggle every day with the huge amount of information that shows them for the child-molesting, misogynistic, money grubbing, blasphemous fiends they are.

If you go through their literature or even better, their Library CD-ROM, you will find how they repeat the words Internet and Dangers together so many times that the two words become joined at the hip so to speak. In fact I counted 143 times where Internet and Dangers appeared on a page together. It seems to me like they are really working overtime to make sure their followers get the message that the Internet is bad.

I wonder how worried they are about people going to the doors of people they do not know for face to face confrontations while selling their literature. I mean with all the dogs, apostates, and unfriendly, violent and evil “Worldly” people that are under Satan’s control you would think there would be a concern for their safety, right? Let’s see, I went to my handy-dandy WT-CD and searched for Door-To Door Dangers. Guess how many entries I found in their literature. ONE (1). Yes, just one. And it made some obscure reference to the dangers of preaching in Nazi Germany.

Speaking of Nazi Germany, their Propaganda Minister Josef Goebbels made an extraordinary statement.

“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.”

Let’s see how it looks after my alteration for emphasis of my point…

“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the Watchtower Society can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the Watchtower Society to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the Watchtower Society.”

Is Jesus The Mediator Between Men And God?

2009-01-15T01:28:00.000-08:00

The Watchtower Society ignores what Paul wrote at 1 Timothy 2:5-6 about how Jesus is teh mediator between men and God. Instead they teach this, "Jesus Christ is not the Mediator between Jehovah God and all mankind. He is the Mediator between his heavenly Father, Jehovah God, and the nation of spiritual Israel, which is limited to only 144,000 members." (Worldwide Security "Under The Prince of Peace" Page 10.

How is it that these men can side-step a Scripture and teach such falsehoods and then get away with it?

It is all about mind control. Most cult groups use thought and information control at some level to gain the trust of their members and to manipulate them. They say it all day long how Jesus is the Mediator between men and God, but they hang onto many elitist and wrong teachings in order to elevate themselves above the rank and file members.

The Watchtower Society TWISTS scriptures and casts its own teachings into the pool of truth to pollute it in order to make their unquestioning devotees actually believe their blasphemous lies. It’s not surprising to me that they would cast Jesus in the role of an attorney. Their second president was an attorney with delusions of Judgeship. They are a legalistic bunch who enjoys making their adherents jump through all sorts of legal hoops for their enjoyment. They are the modern day legalistic Pharisees and are being exposed as such every day. I believe that the internet and access to information is going to be the undoing of their little cult. I pray for them every day so that Jesus will open their eyes and get out of this cult.

Consequently, 1 Timothy 2:5, 6 is not using “mediator” in the broad sense common in many languages. It is not saying that Jesus is a mediator between God and all mankind. Rather, it refers to Christ as legal Mediator (or, “attorney”) of the new covenant, this being the restricted way in which the Bible uses the term. Jesus is also a corresponding ransom for all in that covenant, both Jews and Gentiles, who will receive immortal life in heaven. The apostle John referred to these at 1 John 2:2. But he indicated that others too will receive the benefit of Christ’s sacrifice: “He is a propitiatory sacrifice for our sins, yet not for ours only but also for the whole world’s.” (Watchtower of 8/15/1989 Page 31, Questions From the Readers)

How Effective Are Jehovah's Witnesses In Thier Ministry?

2009-01-11T22:46:00.000-08:00

I often hear on the various forums that the JW's are increasing by NINE congregations per day. Claims that over 800 people per day are coming into the cult sounded excessive to me, so I did some research and found out some interesting figures.

From September 2006 to September 2007 the jw's recorded 1,431,761,554 hours in Field Service to recruit new members, yet less than 300,000 were baptized. ! ALMOST A BILLION AND A HALF HOURS IN ONE YEAR! If you average that out, each baptism took 4,800 hours. If you figure that each publisher averages about 10 hours in field service per month it would take 40 years of door knocking to convert just one person.

Apparently there are about 550 New Publishers added every day, not the inflated figures that some jw's ahve been posting online. You would think this is a good growth, but on the back end the wt is hemorrhaging at a rate of 61%. Between 2003 & 2007 there have been 1,315,523 baptisms. But the number of publishers only grew by about 500,000 in the time between 2003 and 2007. What happened to the over 807,779 others? Where are these missing, new jw's?

Another thing about their growth, they claimed a 3.1% increase in their ranks, but they ignore Global Population Growth. Every day about 200,000 people are born but the ranks of the wt only increase by about 550. Every year that the jw's wait for Armageddon, it requires Jehovah to execute another 70,000,000 people. Think about that. When the wt posts figures they rally around false figures to try to make their adherents believe they are doing so well. The figures show anything but that.

Thanks to V for providing the statistics!
http://www.watchtowercomments.com/

My Letter To "The Factor"

2009-01-10T19:54:00.000-08:00

I would like to encourage everyone that feels it is a good idea to write to media outlets and their Congressmen about the way the Watchtower uses its tax exempt status to its full advantage but does no charitable work. Below is a letter tthat I wrote to Bill O'Reilly of The Factor.

Dear Mr. O'Reilly,

I want to start off by saying how much I have enjoyed your program over the years and that I am glad that you are not afraid to seek the truth and share it with your audience. It is refreshing to see that integrity still has a place in this world.

I am writing to you to share a bit of interesting information. On ABC, the show called Extreme Makeover Home Edition http://abc.go.com/primetime/xtremehome/index?pn=index, is doing a great thing by building a Fresno family a new home so that the mother, who is severely disabled and is bound to a wheelchair can better care for her family. Here in Fresno, the local paper the Fresno Bee is doing a series of stories about the project and it made note that the woman attends a local Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses. http://www.fresnobee.com/local/story/1117887.html

Jehovah's Witnesses is the marketing arm of the publishing corporation known as The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society which in recent years has been wrapped up in wrongful death suits brought forward by the surviving family of Jehovah's Witnesses who have died because of the Watchtower ban on medical use of blood even in emergency situations. Another touchy area is the out of court settling of several cases where it was proved that the Watchtower Society (WTS) had knowledge of child molestation going on within their congregations and forced the victims to remain silent about the crimes and did not report the crimes to the proper authorities. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21917798/

http://www.silentlambs.org/NationalPresspacket.htm

After learning about this Extreme Makeover episode, it struck me that being part of the Jehovah's Witnesses individuals are discouraged from going on television and indeed having anything to do with what the Watchtower calls Satan's System of Things. The media being a major part of this system. Witnesses are also told to not engage in charitable works by donating either time or money to any worthy causes except to the Watchtower Society. The WTS holds other religions, government, and the media in contempt and feels that associating with any of these groups or engaging in any inter-faith or charitable works is contrary to what the Bible teaches.

As I have researched the WTS I have noted that it enjoys tax free status as a church and is a non profit organization that holds Billions of dollars in assets including huge real estate holdings but does nothing for the communities in which it operates. The WTS does not even have a single program to aid their needy adherents. I find it hypocritical for the WTS to enjoy tax exempt status while doing nothing for the community along the lines of feeding and clothing the poor, offering assistance with healthcare expenses, or even donating money to such causes.

I feel that there is something very wrong when a corporation that purports to be a Christian Church enjoys the privileges of that position and ignores the responsibilities that go along with that position. I would like to hear your opinion on these matters and wonder if you find that looking into them would be worthy of your time and effort.

Thanks for your kind consideration, Mr. O'Reilly.

Lorenzo Gonzales

Jehovah's Witnesses or Ty's Witnesses? Who Truly Helps JW's In Need?

2009-01-09T15:50:00.000-08:00

Mary Ann Riojas, a disabled JW is in need of a more habitable home in Fresno. She is wheelchair bound and has no wheelchair access to her home. This amazing woman was born with no legs, one short arm and one normal arm. Of course when one of Jehovah's people is in need the congregation LEAPS into action to help them. Nope, not in this case.

Thank Jehovah for Extreme Home Makeover! Ty Pennington and his crew of volunteers are doing what the watchtower is either unable to do or is unwilling to do. Did I just say a family of Jehovah's Witnesses is going to be helped by a bunch of perverted, homosexual, murdering, sex-loving, worldly people. Not in my words, but I can hear the jw's saying these exact words.

How could the WT allow this to happen? Why is the WT so freaking cheap when it comes to helping people? Do you think this will make a good witness and glorify Jehovah's name, or will it drive another nail into the WT's coffin?

Maybe they should be called Ty Pennington's Witnesses since this humanitarian is doing Jehovah's Work.

Fresno bee Article: http://www.fresnobee.com/local/story/1117887.html

What It Means To BE A JW...Clarified

2009-01-07T05:08:00.001-08:00

An elder in SoCal named Olin made a funny and to the point response to a question at Yahoo Answers. Apparently some JW listed off the Christian things that make a JW. Olin tells it like it actually is.

With his permission

______________________________________________________________

Angelmusic1914 made some statements and I will shine some light onto them.

Love Jehovah God = Obey The Watchtower Society

Love your neighbor = Unless they are not a JW

Love his Son - his representative = Obey the Watchtower Society His Representative

Obey his commandments = Obey the Watchtower Societies Commands

Don't steal = Don't Steal

Don't lie = Use Theocratic Warfare Strategy to mislead and deceive by lying if the person is not worthy of hearing the truth.

Give thanks for what you have = Thank the Watchtower Society by giving them money and free services.

Don't bog yourself down with the inconsequential = Inconsequential is anything not of the Watchtower

Avoid bad associations - drugs, etc = Bad Associations are anyone not a JW.

Don't condone killing - even in wars = Unless the Watchtower says it's ok.

Have respect for life - no abortions = No abortions unless an unwanted pregnancy threatens to dirty the image of the Watchtower

Don't mix the good with the bad - avoid pagan practices = Unless the Watchtower says to. ie wedding rings, Masonic and Egyptian pagan symbols

Find out why Jehovah has you here = Give every waking moment to the Watchtower Society. Mostly money and time preaching.

Find out the future he has planned for the beautiful earth = The wholesale slaughter of nearly 7 Billion ignorant people that are not JWs

Take care of the earth he has provided as your home = Unless the Watchtower farm needs to dig a mine and pollute drinking water

Stay faithful to your mate = Stay faithful to your mate, even if he beats you and molests your kids.

Raise your kids responsibly = No friends who are not JWs, No public School, force them to every meeting and to preach.

Take care of your elderly parents = Unless it interferes with selling magazines

Treat your neighbors fairly and justly = Unless they are not JWs

Pay your taxes and obey the laws = Unless the Watchtower says it violates your conscience

Have a good work ethic - listen to your teachers and bosses = Unless the Watchtower says they are persecuting you.

Be kind to animals = Unless they are chasing you and biting you for knocking on a door that says no soliciting

Support God's kingdom = give everything to the Watchtower society

And that is a CULT in action. Seems pretty logical and evil to me.

Olin Moyle is a Christian. One of Jehovah's Witnesses. An elder no less.

Is The JW New Order All It's Cracked Up To Be?

2009-01-02T03:50:00.000-08:00

If we ask what the health situation will be in the JW new world order, many jw's will no doubt chime in and say that there will be no sickness or mistakes made in paradise. This may sound reasonable, but is it really? Honestly, NO MISTAKES? What about injuries? What about accidents? Many of the jw's I have known in my more than forty years in the watchtower believe that we will be immortal, will have super powers of the mind, and have superhuman strength and healing abilities.

I believe that if there is such a new order on its way we will still have need of doctors and firemen and even policemen. Perfection is a relative term. We will have perfection as far as mortal humans go. To nearly-quote the society, we are always subject to death being mortals. If a person chooses to breathe water instead of air, that person WILL drown.

People will have to live within the parameters of human existence. If I’m playing ball and trip and roll down a hill and break my leg, am I to expect Jehovah of Armies, the Great King of the Universe to heal me on the spot? I don't think so. Why? Because He gave us each the ability to heal at a human rate so we could be trusted to be relatively self sufficient and self maintaining and not bog down His day with childishness and redundancies.

What if when I fell I was out of the reach from my friends' ability to rescue me? Why should an angel be sent down to help me when there are human professionals who have it in their ability to save me? Angels are soldiers, messengers, worshipers, and sons of God who have more important issues to attend to than to be perched upon the shoulders of clumsy and dim-witted humans. Sure they love us, but come on, who wants to be tagging along after their kid brother for all eternity?

Sin and peril are always going to be an option if we are to have free will and remain mortals. Jesus came here to die to remove Adamic Death from us. He did not die so we could do as we please and not have consequences to face. Suppose a new child is born 10,000 years into the new order. That child has no idea what our time here was like for the past several thousands of years. He could decide, like Satan, to rebel. Let's say he runs into me as he walks out of a corn crib where he stole a few ears of corn. He panics and decides I need to be silenced. Bang! I am beaned with a shovel and I die.

Do I get resurrected? If so, on what basis? Life will be very cheap if we can go and get resurrected every time something bad happens to one of us. Eventually there will be a "Don't give a shit attitude" about everything and lo and behold Jehovah or Jesus or some anointed heavenly king is working overtime resurrecting dumbasses because they are careless, stupid, or just clumsy.

I believe Jesus when He said there will be no more sickness, or crying or death because things like these that are due to Adamic sin will indeed have passed away. But if I fall and scrape my knees I might still cry tears. If I go to the bathroom and don't wash my hands before I make dinner, someone will get sick and puke. We will be relatively perfect. We will be better than we are now I think, but still subject to the laws of physics, hygiene, and to the health codes.

We all advance, retreat, or stand our ground with the gifts that God gives us. Our personality is made from everything and everyone we encounter in life. How we deal with these things is us or who we are, Human Beings. Whether or not there is a New Order like the one the Watchtower is selling to its adherents or not is not so important as how we treat one another now and how we do all that we can to reach Almighty God in prayer and try to do His Will and live His Truth. In Jesus’ Name.

An Eye Opening Disassociation Letter

2009-01-01T02:52:00.001-08:00

I read the following letter and immediately remembered how imposing and judgemental the Watchtower Society and those who follow their teachings really are. It is really amazing to me how the Bible instructs us to approach our brothers in the spirit of love and concern first to try to first ascertain if they are making a mis-step and then if they are to help them to correct their step before contacting another brother or finally the elders with a problem and the people who worship the Watchtower Society go running like paranoid fools to report any hint of an idea of perceived wrongdoing to the body of elders. Below is a letter of disassociation that resulted from such wrong-minded behavior.

________________________________________________________________________________

Thursday 12/25/2008

To the Body of Elders of the M******l W***s congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses,

I wish to state, first of all, that I take no pleasure in writing you this letter. The difficulty I find in stating that which I have felt for many years, is enormous. The only satisfaction I do intend to gain, however, from this episode of my life, is the fact that this deplorable chapter is rapidly coming to an end, and I will finally have peace knowing that I have done the right thing.

In October of this year, while at my place of work, an employee of mine, M*** B****, overheard an inadvertent comment by my director stating that I had “Passed out while giving blood”. This comment did not state the particulars of this supposed giving of blood. It did not differentiate whether or not this was simply an incident of having my blood drawn for testing, or an actual donation of whole blood. Nonetheless, this statement was overheard on a Thursday afternoon at approximately 2:20pm, and had generated a response from your Body by 8:30am of the next morning. This response manifested itself in the form of W***** D**** and H***** M****** waking my wife from a sound sleep, and grilling her for half an hour on my habits. My wife was asked in an accusatory manner whether or not she knew about my donating of blood, and whether or not she was aware that I was intending to give my blood directly to her during an upcoming transplant surgery that she was to undergo. This last question is ludicrous in light of the fact that I had never even allowed this thought to cross my mind due to the fact that our blood types are completely incompatible. I personally, was never approached, either in person or by telephone, and asked about any of these things. Apparently, these things can only be asked of a sick 5’4” housewife, and not her large somewhat ill-tempered husband. The absurd way this situation was handled substantiates my belief that this Body of Elders is more interested in finding fault with me than with helping me.
This incident is the catalyst that has convinced me that I need to make my feelings known once and for all.

(A) The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, through its’ Governing Body, has repeatedly made predictions that have time and again proved to be untrue, while berating Rank and File Jehovah’s Witnesses who have been disappointed when these predictions failed to happen.

(B) This same group has displayed a startling amount of duplicity in it’s dealings with its’ so-called brothers, as displayed in its’ handling of the case of the Mexican military cartilla as opposed to the Malawian political card.

(C) This group forbids the medical use of whole blood while allowing the use of a majority of blood fractions.

(D) This group states that the only good and true hearted people on earth are Jehovah’s Witnesses or those who are about to become Jehovah’s Witnesses.

My feelings towards (A) and (B) are this. A religious group that purports to be the soul channel to God should be fair in its’ dealing. It should readily admit its’ mistakes and beg forgiveness of the people that it is supposed to serve.

As far as (C) is concerned, we have a term for this where I come from…Douchebaggery.

I struggle to find anything that can properly convey my utter disdain for the idiocy that is (D).

And so, I’m left with this. I do not, nor will I ever believe that the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society or any of its’ subsidiary components is the sole channel to any divine being. I do not believe that the religion of Jehovah’s Witnesses is a safe one. On the contrary, I believe it to be extremely dangerous. I believe that the religion of Jehovah’s Witnesses is a high control cult that damage its’ members severely.
Because of these reasons I wish to no longer be known as a Jehovah’s Witness. I tell you this now, I will worship God, but I refuse to worship an organization.

M*** S******

A link to the original post is here:
http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/7/169611/1.ashx

The New Family Study Night, What Will Be The Fare?

2008-12-30T00:05:00.000-08:00

Imagine, a Bible study without the "watchtower's take" on things. What I would recommend doing is they read any other translation but their own, since it has been polluted with the expressions of demons through Johannes Greber.

If they MUST study their own mistranslation then I highly recommend they USE THE FOOTNOTES. They will see just how the watchtower alters the scriptures to fit their teachings. Like the one your Gilead buddy focused on, Revelation 1:10. The witness doctrine for 1914 hinges on this misquote by the watchtower.

NWT Rev 10:1 By inspiration I came to be in the Lord’s Day,

NWT Footnote on Lord's Day
“By inspiration.” Or, “In spirit.” Gr., en pneu′ma·ti; Lat., in spi′ri·tu.

Or, “I came to be under inspiration on the Lord’s Day.”

That subtle difference from John being IN the Lord's day to being On the Lord's day makes or breaks their 1914 doctrine.
"Hence, this first vision and the counsel it contains are for the Lord’s day, from 1914 onward." (Revelation book page 22 paragraph 4).

By saying John was IN the Lord's Day then the 1914 doctrine might have some weight, but it does not really say that as the footnote bears out. By checking other translations of the Bible they simply print out as the footnote indicates. "ON the Lord's day". This totally changes the meaning of the vision's timing.

The task of getting people to open their minds to accept the Real Jesus is going to be very difficult because of the degree of brainwashing in play. The Watchtower has its own brand of circular reasoning that depends on people not thinking.

They are playing with people's lives and that is why we should all pray for the Jehovah's Witnesses to come to the Real Lord Jesus.

What Does The Governing Body Actually Do Anyway?

2008-12-28T00:29:00.000-08:00

The short answer is, not much anymore. The Watchtower Corporation's Legal Department is engaging in what I call Douchebaggery™ by dictating many of the changes of late in order to protect their BILLIONS of dollars in assets from lawsuits. The lawsuits range from pedophilia scandals to wrongful death and anywhere in between.

The long answer would be that the governing body is supposed to function as the SOLE CHANNEL of communication from Almighty God on earth. It is their responsibility to "feed" Jesus' lambs by providing spiritual food at its proper time. Whether or not they are doing this or are even the so called faithful and discreet slave are debatable issues for another thread.

It seems to me that while the governing body is fairly secretive in their actions, they are not really trying very hard to protect the reputation of the governing body or the society because more and more as time goes by, more people learn about Jehovah's Witnesses and their governing body, the more people find out very unsavory things in their past and even the present. (Pedophilia, wrongful death). Once people find out that the New Light they supposedly receive from Jehovah God is voted on by the governing body it gets sticky. Since when can men correctly over-rule the Word of God?

Douchebaggery---

1)The philosophy held by douchebags, holding that no one other than themselves (or perhaps their close associates) matters in the least bit, and thus that other human beings can and should be treated like complete excrement for little or no reason (and often for selfish reasons). Closely related to fascism, which has been practiced by control freaks such as Adolf Hitler.

2)The act of putting this philosophy into practice.

A) Some notable (historical and otherwise) adherents of douchebaggery: Josef Stalin, Mao Tse Tung, George W. Bush, Adolf Hitler, Andrew Jackson, George Lincoln Rockwell, Saddam Hussein, Osama bin Laden, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan

B) Examples of douchebaggery in practice, varying in scope and intensity (in the order of the above adherents): fascism; violent political oppression; winning an election through obvious fraud and subsequently invading Iraq based on admitted lies; the Holocaust; the genocide of the Native Americans; the founding of the American Nazi Party; more violent political oppression; declaring jihad on an entire country and slaughtering 3,000 innocent cubicle workers as part of it; declaring a War on Drugs based largely on the delusion that "every one of those goddamn bastards out to legalize marijuana is a Jew" (direct quote from President Richard Nixon); treating the Constitution and the natural environment as a set of obstacles to be overcome.

Ex Jw's Must Stay Alert To Attacks From The Watchtower

2008-12-26T22:32:00.000-08:00

I got the following from my friend and Brother in the faith, Joe at Christian Witnesses. It has some insightful information I thought you might find useful.Blessings and Agape to you all in Christ Jesus our Lord.

======================================

WHY EX-JW’S MUST STAY EXTRA ALERT IN 2009 AND NOW

Is it coincidence the following things happened just in the past couple weeks? A forum poster or troll poser made comments that sought to set long-time friends Ray Franz and Peter Gregerson against one another. An abused ExJW woman who is Roman Catholic was called a Witch. Bill Bowen who is an independent Christian was called an atheist. Maybe those are just coincidental. Maybe some are, some aren’t. Watchtowerites would sure like to set the ExJWs & Friends community aflame if it but could. Anyway, in the meanwhile Watchtower legal is hoping to find some ExJWs with some of Watchtower’s copyrighted photos and text materials on their websites and who will not remove those. Same old same old as last year. Stay alert into and during all 2009 too.

THREE PAST KANSAS SUICIDES COMING TO LIGHT

A friend in a nearby Kansas town wrote me an extremely nice letter thanking me for helping set him free and keep him free from Watchtower. I phoned and we spoke maybe an hour in the course of which he said that about twenty-one years ago within about a one and a half year span he was in a congregation in or near Emporia, Kansas, that had three JWs to suicide.

He said that one was named Mike S--w. (name removed for privacy). He was not anyone who had, say, been disfellowshiped, but for whatever reasons, his body was found in a car and it was determined that he had deliberately inhaled auto exhaust to die. All the Elders did was give a very quick graveside prayer.

A second suicide was by an older man, Gene A---n., a long-time bachelor who was said to not have kept his house very clean. Who knows? Maybe he was “trimmed, which means to be tongue-lashed by an Elder speaking from up at the front stage, his name left out but guessable, for not being tidy. Doubtlessly he was lonely, too, and seeing that the promised paradise earth had not come -- perhaps those help explain why he suicided.

A third JW was Gene J-----n who was married to a JW Sister. They divorced. He took to partying a while then suicided.We’ll never know all the details, though my friend says most of the Elders who were involved were long-time Elders, and they very likely could tell a whole lot more about these and possibly other JW deaths by suicide etc.

As those who are ExJWs well-know, many active JWs suffer mental problems such as depression which are exacerbated by Watchtower’s policies that cause so much sorrow. As Watchtower implodes and declines, it is necessary for the Ex JWs & Friends community as well as other allied Christians to do more so that a mountain of JWs do not suicide in the years ahead.

Contact me if interested in developing house/home churches that can minister.

http://www.christianwitnesses.com/

Jehovah's Witnesses What Do They Teach About Sodomites?

2008-12-21T13:08:00.000-08:00

Remember the people who died at Sodom and Gomorrah? God killed them after judging them to be too wicked to continue living. Right? So do they come back in the resurrection, at least for judgment?

Wait, He judged them already.

Let's see how the governing body/faithful and discreet slave has worked thru the NEW LIGHT of this issue.

1879 YES the Sodomites will come back in the resurrection.(1879 Watchtower on pages 7 and 8).

1941 NO the Sodomites will NOT come back in the resurrection.(1941 Watchtower on page 367).

1955 Emphasis on NO, they will NOT be back in the resurrection.(1955 Watchtower on page 676).

1965 YES, they WILL be back in the resurrection.(March 1, 1965 Watchtower page 138 paragraph 4 ).

1967 NO, they will NOT be back in the resurrection.(March 1, 1967 watchtower page 136).

1974 YES, they WILL be back in the resurrection.(August 15, 1974 Watchtower page 485).

1988 NO, they will NOT be back in the resurrection.(June 1, 1988 Watchtower page 30).

1988 YES, they WILL be back in the resurrection.(Insight Volume 2 page 985).

1989 NO, they will NOT be back in the resurrection.(Live Forever Book page 179).

As you can see from their own literature, they have flip-flopped EIGHT times and now since 1989, the answer is NO, the Sodomites will NOT return in the resurrection. And that IS FINAL! Or is it??

For being the "Sole channel of communication" and Jehovah's Mouthpiece here on Earth, I have to wonder if Jehovah keeps sending the "Slave Class" conflicting messages, or if these "Nine Blind Guides" of the governing body are just lying about that SOLE channel thing. What do you think? Is God feebleminded, indecisive, and flippant, or is the governing body?

Vindicating The Name Of Jehovah!

2008-12-21T12:52:00.000-08:00

Jehovah's Witnesses claim that they are the only group to be vindicating the Mighty Name of Jehovah in all the earth. How are they accomplishing this?

To begin we need to dissect the Tetragrammaton and make sure all is well in Watchtowerland. There are no vowels in the Tetragrammaton, so we have no idea how to pronounce it. It could be Yaweh, Yahwah, YoYo, or even Yippee for all we know. Here is some interesting info:

Dr. J. B. Rotherham states in the preface of his Bible concerning Jehovah: "Erroneously written and pronounced Jehovah, which is merely a combination of the sacred Tetragrammaton and the vowels in the Hebrew word for Lord, substituted by the Jews for JHVH, because they shrank from pronouncing The Name, owing to an old misconception of the two passages, Ex. 20:7 and Lev. 24:16...To give the name JHVH the vowels of the word for Lord [Heb. Adonai], is about as hybrid a combination as it would be to spell the name Germany with the vowels in the name Portugal - viz., Gormuna. The monstrous combination Jehovah is not older than about 1520 A.D." (Truthseek.net)

Jehovah's Witnesses say it is important to use Jehovah and to vindicate His Holy Name. But are they accurate in using Jehovah? No, they even admit it on pages 16 and 18 of the book "Let Your Name Be sanctified" they admit that Yahweh is the superior translation of YHWH.

In the preface of their own "Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures" page 23 shares this admission with the reader:"While inclining to view the pronunciation 'Yahweh' as the more correct way, we have retained the form 'Jehovah' because of people's familiarity with it since the 14th century. Moreover, it preserves equally with other forms, the four letters of the Tetragrammaton JHVH."

In other words, they know they have God's Name all wrong, but they are not going to change because people are more familiar with the WRONG NAME? They are VINDICATING an incorrect name because people are familiar with it?

What sort of Vindicating is this?

References

Truthseek.net: http://www.truthseek.net/Yahweh.html

Painting People With The Wide Brush Of Apostasy

2008-12-20T09:40:00.000-08:00

Having been raised as one of Jehovah's Witnesses since the mid 1960's and having been associated with this group until just recently, I can tell you what Jehovah's Witnesses believe heresy to be.To jw's, heresy as a word is relatively unheard within the loaded language of the "Society". The society's preferred word is apostasy. And a heretic is called an apostate.

To qualify for the title of Apostate, one need not curse God or Christ. One does not even have to abandon faith in God. All a jw has to do is disagree with the often inaccurate teachings of the Watchtower's leaders. Voicing a question about the teachings is verboten. One must keep silent about any questions and especially "doubts" they may have or face being "marked" as rebellious like Satan was rebellious. If pushed to the extreme, the jw's will in fact expel one from their midst in the form of shunning and disfellowshippings.

This is odd, because the New Testament has no punishment laid out for apostasy.

Here are some examples of what can be considered apostasy:Attending another church.

Participating in Interfaith activities.
Saying Amen to any prayer other than one given by another jw.
Actively sharing information that unmasks the faulty and unbiblical teachings of the society.

There are many other things that the jw's can slap the apostate label to. For instance, when I heard about the book study arrangement changing from being held in private homes and being moved into the kingdom halls I shared this with my father in law, who is too ill to attend meetings anymore. I told him that the announcement was coming out on a Sunday in about a month or so.

Well, that Sunday came and the announcement was made. I had been correct in every detail. My father in law's brother went to visit him and to share this morsel of food from the faithful and discreet slave "class". When he told my father in law my father in law had no real reaction. He just said, "Yes I know." His brother got agitated and asked how the heck he could know since only the presiding overseer was the only one to know until he told the body of elders 15 minutes before the congregation was even told. He told him that Mister Lorenzo had told him last month. LOL

Well the guy about had a fit. He was all upset and said that I was an apostate for knowing that information. I dunno how having information makes me an apostate, but he is still reeling from the fact that I, an inactive jw at the time knew more than elders did. When I hear new tidbits I share them and wait for the guy to find out I knew months before any elders did. He will eventually stroke out unless he learns to control that temper. I told him that he needs to put on the "New Personality" and work on his fruitage of the Spirit otherwise he will fall into apostasy.

Nine Blind Guides. Nine Blind Guides. See How They Change.

2008-12-16T23:37:00.000-08:00

The faithful and discreet slave was in the beginnings of the Watchtower Society C.T. Russell. He WAS the slave. Later on after Russell died, the drunkard, Joseph "Judge" Rutherford seized control of the WT and set it up to be an organizational body that would command every thought and belief of the JW's.The terms slave class, anointed class, heavenly class were coined and are supposed to represent the faithful and discreet slave class. However, of the roughly 9,000 living and documented anointed do not actually have any voice in the way the WT runs, teaches or preaches. The actual fds is a group of nine anointed elders (all men) who are called the governing body of Jehovah's witnesses.

These nine men have in their power the ability to change yesterday's truth into today's lie by voting on doctrines and teachings. If six of the nine vote for Christmas to be considered Pagan, then Pagan it is. 2/3 majority makes or breaks any doctrine or perceived truth held by Jehovah's Witnesses.The people being misled by these nine blind guides are in serious jeopardy. Their very lives are in the hands of monsters that teach what are the expressions of demons and deny most of them the chance at salvation. I pray for them because they were once my brothers and sisters in faith. Please say a prayer with me now for them and indeed all blinded by Satan to find the Light of Precious Jesus.

2008-12-15T23:21:00.000-08:00

Since leaving Jehovah's Witnesses I have been continuing my door to door ministry with a slight twist. I am warning people about jw's and other high control cults. I leave stickers on WT literature I find at Laundromats and doctor offices. The stickers are labeled WARNING! This literature is from a secretive, dangerous cult. Since there are many Spanish speakers in this rural community I live in I have them printed up in Spanish too for their benefit.

This afternoon around 2 PM I was out looking for people when a lady came up to me and told me to get off her street. She said she knows me from prior visits and she knows all about us jw's and that if I knew what was good for me I would leave. I smiled at her and she got really upset with me for that. She was about to go off on me when I asked her if she knew that I had left the Watchtower Cult.

She froze. She smiled and said that we needed to talk. We sat on her porch and she asked about what I am doing. When I showed her my stickers and brochures on cults and false jw doctrine she cried. She said that she had said prayers and asked God all weekend to send people to warn people about this evil cult.

She had been a victim of physical abuse by her elder husband and had fled him and the religion years before. She had no idea how to get the word out, so I told her to go to her library and access the internet and look up a site that gives ideas on how to deal effectively with cults.

I felt good. I am effecting positive change in my community and here online I am spreading the Good News, who is in fact Jesus Christ. I came home and I prayed from about 4 pm until around 7. That is the longest I have ever prayed. I cannot explain the joy and love I felt being in Jesus' presence. I felt like I would literally drown in love. I begged him to take His hand off me to spare my life.After over 40 years in the Watchtower I never prayed. Not like this. I am finally free of this cult and now I will free other trapped souls in Jesus precious Name!

JW's & The Blood Issue, GREED or Faith?

2008-12-15T14:33:00.000-08:00

It's sad how jw's cherry pick a few scriptures to support their lies. When read IN CONTEXT, the scriptures in Acts are talking about the drinking of animal blood and the eating of it in strangled animals in conjunction with pagan idolatry. Nothing more.

The Old Testament or Hebrew scriptures make it plain that eating blood is not acceptable. However in the case of an emergency, when King Saul's men were famished and exhausted they did not properly bleed the animals they slaughtered. They did indeed eat blood with the meat. Did Jehovah rain down sulfur and fire from heaven or Antimatter radiation like one of their governing body says He may have used?

No, these sinners were forgiven. And that was back when the Old Testament and so-called ANGRY God was running the show.

Now, today we have Christ in charge and He told of forgiveness and wanting mercy instead of sacrifice. How did He manage that? By giving us all a figurative blood transfusion. We live by drinking HIS Blood.

Regarding the use of fragmented blood. They are being hypocritical. Blood is blood. They say we are stealing God's property when we misuse blood. OK let's say this is true for the sake of this discussion. Stealing is a sin. So if blood is a car and the components of the car are blood fragments how do you answer this?

If stealing a car is wrong, is stealing that car's wheels, carburetor, and windows ok? By their governing body's reasoning it is.

They capitulated to the idea of being sued by surviving family members every time one of their people dies following their doctrines by saying fragments are ok. When does Almighty God capitulate to anyone or anything? Should not His so-called organization on earth reflect His personality? Jesus did so and we all know that Christians are supposed to reflect Christ.

No, there is nothing else at work here but greed. Jesus would never allow one of His commands to be ignored. He does not fear losing the revenue from a multi-billion dollar publishing and real estate empire. But the Witnesses do. Their leadership fears nothing more than losing their precious Almighty Dollars. They are willing to say it's ok to accept blood fragments even when they believe it is wrong. If they truly believe the blood issue to be scriptural they would not give in even one inch. They would stand firm and allow Jehovah's Spirit to work in their favor. But they don't. They hide behind their legal department and avoid lawsuits in order to save their precious money.

I pray fervently everyday that the members of this cult have their eyes opened. Jesus can open their eyes to this hypocrisy and He will if they only ask. I encourage all Christians to pray for these lost and blind souls to find Jesus and the freedom that comes with serving Him. His yoke is light and easy to bear, unlike the legalistic and heavy load the watchtower places on the shoulders of their adherents.

Circuit Overseer Visit Is So Important

2008-12-12T23:12:00.000-08:00

It is very important for some and not at all important to others. This man comes a couple of times a year to each congregation and does indeed whip the elders into whipping the rank and file jw's. It is a time for baptized brothers to suck up to him in order to qualify for "privileges", while other rank and file congregants "go over the heads of the elders" to voice and get his view on a problem they are having with the body of elders.

These men are venerated as demigods and wield a dangerous amount of power. An example, back in 1969 our family was paid a visit by the circuit overseer and we received him cordially into our home. He was telling my folks how important it was to go out in field service because in a few short years, Armageddon would be upon us and they did not want to die then because they missed that one door and opportunity to preach.

My folks were very much enthralled at the way he described the end of days coming in such a short amount of time. When my dad asked how soon he said that he spoke with the governing body before leaving for that particular visit and he said that we could be assured that my kid sister would not even start school before the end came.

She was about two years old at that time. She did indeed start and finish her schooling, raised two kids who are now in their early twenties, and she has a 3 year old grandson who will probably see his great grandkids finish their schooling on the moon before anything the jw's say ever comes true.

This man was a liar and deliberately misled my family and indeed hundreds and hundreds of other families with his falsehoods. The power these men are allowed to have is criminal. They feel like they can say or do anything they please. Some of them treat people kindly and lie thru their teeth, while others are just rude and hateful while they lie to everyone.

An example would be a CO named Mega. That short, baldy-headed little cockroach had the nerve to insult people in the kingdom hall. He once told a slightly overweight elder that he better lose twenty pounds or he would never give another talk at an assembly. Jehovah hates gluttons.

At one circuit assembly in Yuba City, CA a youngster was walking from his seat to the bathroom it looked like. He happened to be seen by Mega who felt distracted. He stopped his discourse and stared at the boy who had his back to him and said, "MODALES" which translates to English as, "MANNERS". The child's parents were very embarrassed and left the assembly a few moments after that ridiculous display of authority. I heard they never returned to the meetings as they were not even baptized jw's. Not sure if that part is true, but it is what I heard.

The visit from the CO tends to be glorified and really stresses out the elders who invariably get scolded for any inactive or irregular publishers, too many disfellowshippings, or not enough of them. This man is made out to be an apostle with special inside information for the rank and file, so, much anticipation is really driving the spike in attendance during his visit. Once he is gone, the inactive go back to inactivity, the irregulars become regular for a week or two, and then they revert back to their usual lack of interest and activity because the elders slip back into their lardass complacency.

The CO is nothing more than a corporate sales manager who comes by to inspect the daily sales reports of local watchtower stores.

Alcyone The Throne Of Jehovah Followup

2008-12-12T07:02:00.000-08:00

THE WATCHTOWER stated, "it would be unwise for us to try to fix God's throne as being at a particular spot in the universe." (November 15, page 703) So apparently that was a reason to repudiate the previous teaching of Judge Rutherford that Jehovah was actually located on that star.

They used that star in conjunction with the Great Pyramid to arrive at the the 1914 year of Christ's presence. Amazing, and this is what Jesus came and found to be the true religion?

Jehovah Packed His Things And Moved In 1953?

2008-12-09T20:31:00.000-08:00

Yes, the Watchtower Society used to actively teach its disciples that Jehovah God resided in the center of the universe on the star called Alcyone in the Pleiades star cluster. They began teaching this in 1881 when the Great Pyramid pointed it out to them. Then they dropped this teaching in 1953. Was it because Jehovah packed up His stuff and moved His throne to Brooklyn Bethel?

Don't believe me? Here is a scan of one of their publications stating the exact location of Jehovah.

I will be researching why they quit believing this and report back when I hear something concrete that I can prove with facts.

What does the Watchtower Tell Its Followers About Going To University/College?

2008-12-07T12:20:00.000-08:00

Something that I find to be very irritating is the way some JWs lie about what the Watchtower actually teaches about young JWs going after a college education. On different forums the question about whether or not the society actually discourages its youth to attend college or not. Many JWs are either out of ignorance or outright deception lie to the person asking the question by lying and stating that there are no set rules or ideals the society hands down about the topic of kids going to college. And of course, those of us who know the truth will answer honestly and provide proof from the watchtower's own literature how the idea of further education is indeed discouraged.

It is important to read the literature and listen to their public discourses very carefully in order to catch the subtle use of mind control being used to manipulate the thoughts of those taking in the information. The society may write in a small disclaimer saying they are not the master's of one's faith and one must make up their own mind about a college education, BUT...

BUT, in the end they do not give you a balanced view of the outcome. They will say that you will make more money with a degree in your hands, but will money get you through the tribulation? Or they point out that while going to college might be good, it is like risking your very soul if you do go. They always focus on the negative and subliminally leave a person with the idea that college is one of Satan's snares and if they hide under the organizational skirts of the motherly watchtower society all will be right in the world.

Some JWs have gone to college, but it is not something their governing body really sanctions. They tell people that going to college can be like a person with a brain tumor trying to kill themselves to end their suffering. They take a rifle, put the barrel into their mouth, pull the trigger and the bullet perfectly excises the tumor and the person survives to go on and enjoy a happy and normal life afterward.

They say, sure some JWs may SURVIVE college, but is it worth the risk?

Don't believe me? Listen to Brother Lösch of their own governing body discourage young people using that exact example here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciZlsMWkFiU

Below is an article in a recent Watchtower article that plants the idea of going to college in the middle of temptations like smoking, doing drugs, and engaging in activities that might lead one to become violent or sexually immoral.

___________________________________________________________________

What will be the “End Afterward”?

Young people are often exposed to temptations and pressures to experiment with things that seem popular. Here are some likely scenarios.

-Someone dares you to smoke a cigarette.

-A well-intentioned teacher urges you to pursue higher education at a university.

-You are invited to a party where alcohol and possibly drugs will be freely available.

-”Why don’t you post your profile on the Internet”? Someone suggests.

-A friend invites you to watch a movie that features violence or immorality.

If you are ever confronted with any of such situations, what will you do? Will you simply give in, or will you carefully consider what the “end afterward” could be? You would be wise to ask yourself: “Can a man rake together fire into his bosom and yet his very garments not be burned? Or can a man walk upon the coals and his feet themselves not be scorched.”---Proverbs 6:27, 28 (Watchtower September 1, 2008 Pg. 10)

Sources

A talk given at a Special Assembly in Monza, Italy on May 22, 2005 features Gerrit Lösch a member of Jehovah's Witnesses governing body (The Highest Leaders of the Watchtower Corporation)comparing attending college to shooting yourself in the head with a rifle.

Watchtower September 1, 2008 Pg. 10

The Watchtower's False Teachings About Christmas Exposed

2008-12-05T01:12:00.000-08:00

My friend and brother in the Lord Joe over at http://www.ChristianWitnesses.com asked me to use some of the site's information about the origins of Christmas and create a video for all to see. I am posting it here and at youtube and myspace.

Isn't it about time the lies stop and the Joy and Love of Christ Jesus are allowed to shine in this dark world we live in?

Did Jehovah Lie To JWs For 81 Years?

2008-12-03T22:56:00.000-08:00

I have been following the online posts of a young elder from Southern California for a about a month now. He hits the JW doctrines with hard-hitting but humorous punches. Here is one I just read. It deals with the "Generation" of Matthew 24:34.
Credit to Olin Moyles.
___________________________________________________________________________

Jehovah's Witnesses have changed their beliefs over the past 100 years several times because the governing body (AKA faithful and discreet slave) has provided new light on certain watchtower doctrines. For instance the Generation of Matthew 24:34.

They recently stopped believing this generation was one thing and went back to an old, obsolete teaching last taught in 1927. Since the governing body claims to be appointed by Jesus Christ Himself (WT 4/15/2001 page 29) and is in fact the only "channel" that God is using to guide mankind (Our Kingdom Ministry 9/2002 page 8), then why did Jehovah lie to Jehovah's Witnesses for 81 years and then go back to a previous teaching on "This Generation"?

Oh wait, it is impossible for God to lie! (Hebrews 6:18)So who was either tuned to the wrong "CHANNEL" and gave wrong information, or out and out lied to us for the past 81 years?Since the father of the lie is Satan, then perhaps it is not the Truthful Christ Jesus who appoints the governing body after all.

References

...the Governing Body is not appointed by any man but is appointed by Jesus Christ. WT 4/15/2001 page 29

Bear in mind that our heavenly Father has an appointed channel of communication, “the faithful and discreet slave.”Our Kingdom Ministry 9/2002 page 8

Olin Moyle is a Christian. One of Jehovah's Witnesses. An elder no less.

Are Jehovah's Witnesses Qualified To Teach The Bible?

2008-11-27T18:45:00.000-08:00

I have never in over forty years in the wt seen ANYONE brought into the organization with a Bible alone.

Never, ever, never, ever, never, ever, never, never.

I remember once last year I was working what amounts to seldom worked territory up near Three Rivers, CA. I went to a door with an older brother and the person who answered asked a similar question. Could he and his wife learn from us using only the Bible? He asked because he had been burned by organized religion and had faith only in the KJV.The brother said, "SURE!" and I looked at him like he was nuts.

LOL

He set a time to go back and placed a brochure with him and told him to read it and he would be back in 3-4 days to review it with him.When we got back to the car so we could drive off to the next ranch, I asked him if he would bring me back because I wanted to be able to teach with only the Bible. Know what that old bastard said? He told me that he was not coming back. He told me to come back on my own if I wanted to but that I better bring the Bible Teach book. He said the Bible alone was going to lead those poor folks into trinitarian teachings and that I could wiggle the book in after a couple of visits.

I have known other folks who got really freaked out when the person at the door refused the wt or other publication and asked for us to use only the Bible. Seems most JWs are totally unqualified to teach the Bible. Hell, I can even remember back in the 1980s having Bible Verse games where someone reads a text and we have to say the book, chapter and verse. I was ok at it, but most everyone else sucked bad at it. I usually came in 2nd and one older sister won like 99.9% of the time....

JWs IMHO are totally dependant on wt publications and would fail miserably to explain any verse from the Bible without being able to flip open a watchtower or other book they publish.....

A Prayer Request For All Of Jehovah's Witnesses

2008-11-27T15:22:00.000-08:00

These people have been truly blinded by satan and his watchtower organization. I am asking everyone to please pray for these lost lambs of Christ and beg the Lord to open their eyes and hearts so they can accept and serve Him.

________________________________________________________________________

Lord God, our Heavenly Father. We approach you in the name of your Son, Christ Jesus to beg that your Kingdom comes and is made to be fully powerful here on earth like it is in the heavens above us. We pray that you open the eyes of those in this world who are blind to Jesus. Especially Jehovah's Witnesses. These poor souls have been led astray by Satan and his watchtower organization. We pray you bring them to You and open their eyes. Show them the Light of precious Jesus and show them the Way to life everlasting. We beg forgiveness of our sins and errors and leave all things in your mighty hands, in Jesus' all powerful name. Amen.

JWs Destroying One Generation After Another

2008-11-25T10:21:00.000-08:00

My mother in law is a regular pioneer. She has been one for almost twenty years now. I had the misfortune of being trapped into a conversation with her and a drunken, abusive pioneer/elder wannabe last night. They went on and on about how close we are to the end we can smell it now. She brought up how so many of the brothers & sisters are starting to pioneer now and are focusing all of their resources on the ministry. The kids especially are lining up in droves, choosing to pioneer instead of go to college.

I was nodding my head and trying to find a legitimate reason to dart off so I would avert my gag reflex from going into overdrive. All the while I was remembering how back in 1969 the society printed this in the May 22, 1969 Awake! on page 15:

" If you are a young person, you also need to face the fact that you will never grow old in this present system of things. Why not? Because all the evidence in fulfillment of Bible prophecy indicates that this corrupt system is due to end in a few years. Of the generation that observed the beginning of the 'last days' in 1914, Jesus foretold:'This generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.' Therefore, as a young person, you will never fulfill any career that this system offers."

Those are some powerful statements aren't they? Man, if I was a teen back in 69 I would have probably jumped to pioneer too. What a scary and awesome time to live in! How old are these people who were never to grow old in this present system of things? They are about 60 years old now!

Never grow old in this system...INDEED!

I also remember how back in the early to mid 1970's the Watchtower was preaching annhilatition, armageddon, and impending doom to arrive in 1975, and how many sold their homes, and other possessions in order to support their full-time preaching of the end of the world. The end never came and many of the people who sold all of their things were ruined financially.

Don't get me wrong, I feel that a person should give their all to Christ's Kingdom. However, to do so because an organization that is selling books puts unfair demands on people is wrong in my opinion. But, that is the story of the Watchtower then isn't it. Hasn't this group's greed pushed them to scare and bully people into believing their doom and gloom, "The End Is So Close We Can Smell It" routine for over 100 years?

It really indicates to me how they are not working in concert with God or His Holy Spirit. They MUST use nihilism to terrorize their adherents in order to get them out pushing their lies and more importantly, their literature. Nothing is more important than bringing money to lay at the altar of the governing body.

My mother in law brings in a lot of "Contributions", which attests to her diligence in the field service. She has not brought in a single soul to their so-called truth in over 12 years. Which in actuality is a good thing, but really...where is the fruit of her labors? Oh yes, the contributions. The cost of this fruit is too high in my opinion. She neglects her husband (my wifes dad) by either leaving him home alone or by calling him a Pharisee because he cannot attend meetings anymore. Even right after his most recent heart attack she took off to go preach.

Why? Because she said it is because needs to make her "Hours" and because "Armageddon is almost here!!!!". Actually, I think it is because she loves to fight with people too. She told me that she loves nothing more than to argue with people at their doors and have them call her an idiot, so she can get good and mad. No wonder the JWs in this world are so depressed, scared, and full of hate. They are being motivated by fear instead of Love For Their Neighbor when they go out to preach.

Today we have another generation of young people that is being denied an education, the ability to interact socially, and to get close to Christ Jesus because of being raised by blind parents to serve the Watchtower cult. Another generation is being destroyed by false teachings and greed. I think it is important that they be prayed for and that Jesus take hold of their futures. Don't they deserve a chance to hear from Jesus and make up their own minds about how they will live their lives?

I made a video about the kids from the 60s & 70s who are now being discarded by the wt because they are getting old. It is linked here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrH8kpexihk or you can find it in my video section above on the right hand panel. It is titled, "Serve Jehovah In Your Youth" Check it out when you have a few minutes.

Rutherford Ties Jehovah's Witnesses With NWO Illuminati

2008-11-22T23:28:00.000-08:00

I have been reading a lot in respect to the JWs New Order and the New World Order that President Bush Sr. talked about. It seems to me like both are pointing to a global extermination of the vast majority of humanity and an elite group will survive and make earth a paradise.

David Icke is the speaker in this video. It is a couple of hours long, so watch it when you can spend some time at it.

http://www.thebigagenda.com/channel.php?id=7&video=69&type=documentary

No More Pearls Before Swine

2008-11-20T01:20:00.000-08:00

I have been engaging JWs in online debates at Yahoo Answers for a few months now. Originally I was seeking their help. Help to dispel my deepest and most dreadful doubts about this organization called Watchtower. Help to make my life feel like it was not completely wasted in service to a bunch of greedy sons of bitches sitting on God's throne in Brooklyn, NY. I was rebuffed as an apostate and shunned when not insulted and made to feel one inch tall by my supposed brothers in the faith.

I have been pretty angry over the way things have gone for me in respect to the watchtower. My folks and indeed my entire family have been shit upon from the beginning. My folks bless their hearts felt like they had no where else to go, so we remained locked into the counter productive routine of bringing people into the organization without really believing it was the truth.

I have decided to leave the tower of confusion and hate and go after Jesus Christ. I have been asking JWs questions online to make them think. What I get back is hate, anger, and sarcasm. There is no hope for people who are brainwashed. They cannot be made to think for themselves. I understand, because I was once like that. What I will do now as far as Yahoo Answers goes is respond to questions by people seeking the truth. I may get put down or voted off, but I will do my part to shed light on this dark tower and its evil ways. I will no longer throw pearls to the online watchtower swine. I will pray for them and help those who want help. It is all I can do. And in all actuality, isn't prayer in Jesus name the very best anyone can offer?

An Open Letter To Jehovah's Witnesses

2008-11-20T01:12:00.000-08:00

I did not write this letter. I do feel it is worth sharing with the world because it contains the heartfelt description of the Wathtower from the point of view of a JW.

AN OPEN LETTER TO JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES

You may not remember, but I know you very well. I met you a long time ago when you came to my house with your smiling faces, your neat clothes, and your soft voices and a Bible tucked neatly under your arm. You told me many beautiful stories of a "paradise earth," and a "righteous new system" which would be established shortly. You beguiled me; I listened and I let you teach me your form of Christ-dignity.

I loved you, I devoted most of my life to you, I was loyal and obedient, never realizing that one day I would come to disagree with everything you had to say. When I first met you and learned of the "paradise," little did I know that in order to get to that paradise, I would have to walk over the dead bodies of beloved family, cherished friends, and casual acquaintances, because they didn't want to be Jehovah's Witnesses. With your soft, sweet voices, and gentle manner, you convinced me that everything and everyone who did not agree with you was "evil." I came to believe that other churches were bad and of the devil, and so were their members. I became convinced that all the governments were wicked, including my own, and that I was not to support the country in which I lived. I believed you; I loved you, trusted you, and served you and never suspected that you were capable of deceiving me.

I loved you so much that I raised my precious children as Jehovah's Witnesses. I taught them that you were trustworthy and true followers of God and Jesus. I trained them to believe your every word. How could I have known that in the future you would steal my own flesh and blood from my arms and prevent them from seeing me because I would come to disagree with you? I never noticed the fangs of oppression and tyranny that lurked behind those gentle smiles. I never knew that I would be expected to hand over my mind, soul, and spirit to you, and if I were to ever want them back, you would hold my children as hostages and no amount of begging and tears would release them from your grip because they had been raised to look at you as being God, rather than mere men.

When I came to you, I was young and pretty and impressionable, looking for a relationship with God, my Creator. But through slick words and empty speeches you convinced me that I was not really a child of God, that my duty was to the organization-that THEY would tell me what to do and how to think. Through years of domination and manipulation I began to accept the meager food that was being offered to me, and became willing to accept it as the true "spiritual" food from the Master, while all the time feeling the gnawing at my body. Finally, I discovered that I had been robbed of my joy, my love, my compassion, and my mercy, and it was replaced with legalistic doctrinal formula which provided me with fear, guilt, and anxiety to fill my hunger. When I said, "I want more than this," you slapped me with your soft little hand, which had now turned into an iron fist of oppression. Yes, you fooled me all along; your deception was because you had been fooled too, a long time ago, by others who had taken you captive to their dictatorial reign of terror. You convinced me that the words of men were the words of God because you really thought it was true. I believed you because you were gentle, soft spoken, and carried the Bible tucked under your arm.

You told me that you had "freedom" and it was only later, when I tried to escape your brand of "freedom" that I discovered that the iron bars of the gate had been shut and I was at your mercy because, by this time, you had already gained control of my mind and my emotions. I cried and begged you to please let me go, and you said, with your firm, roaring voice, "not until I have stripped you naked" and you did. You stripped me of my dignity, my self-respect, my honor, and my FAMILY! You told all my family and friends that I was demonic, evil, an apostate, a spiritual fornicator, and good for nothing but total destruction by your angry God whom you had tried to pass off as a God of "love." They believed you, and they still believe you, because their eyes are blinded by the promise of "paradise" and they cannot "see" the Hell that surrounds them. The ever illusive "paradise" is held out to the gullible like a carrot in front of the nose of a rabbit, and causes them to sacrifice their family, friends, careers, education, hopes and dreams on the altar of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.

Now I'm older, now I'm wiser, but now it is too late- life is fast slipping away. Through my tears, I cry out for my beautiful daughter and grandchildren, but you grip them tighter and tighter and tell them that YOU will be their "mother." And so you are, and so you are! I begged to recapture my honor and my dignity, but you laughed with your bright, shining teeth, and said, "No way, you're on your own." Somehow those soft, pretty words weren't soft and pretty anymore, but words of slander, abuse, hatred, and hostility- and you said them in such a way that others would think that you were righteous and I was evil. You lied about me, but no one will believe you LIED because they trust you-that's because you are soft spoken, gentle, and carry a Bible tucked neatly under your arm.

Gaila Noble

Physical Abuse By Jehovah's Witnesses At Theocratic Meetings

2008-11-17T20:35:00.000-08:00

I got my tail kicked in a lot as a kid. But I was a bad kid most of the time so I can't point fingers at my folks. They did the best they could with what they knew and so I will say that I was not abused. When I was growing up in the 1970s in the cancer known as the watchtower, I saw LOTS of kids get abused. Not just swatted or whupped. I mean angry and hateful abuse. Little kids being dragged to the back of the hall screaming for mercy and having their faces smashed and breathing stifled under the quieting hand of their mother.

I saw police come to the hall once, because a kid was being a kid and his dad, to avoid disrupting the meeting dragged him outside. We had these amber colored, semi opaque windows on the side of the hall where we saw the dance of discipline being carried out between a son and his father's belt. The wt conductor actually lost his train of thought and paused for a while in shock at the severity of the beating. The cops were called by a neighbor. Sonofabitch got arrested too, because the cops saw him wailing the crap out of the poor kid. How old was this kid who got whipped so badly? About 2 years old.....

At the same hall one sister was known for her brutality. she didn't have a family, she had a LITTER of kids. This oldbitch sat in the middle of her kids up near the front of the hall always. If they got out of lline she would slap them across the face or their laps with a skinny-belt. Whap-Pow! Once I cracked up after she hit one of them and she turned around and glared at me, then she shook that damned belt at me.....My shi* ran cold.

Yet another time at the bookstudy, this sister had a bunch of kids and they lived in a tiny apartment. They also had a large dog she had chained to the bathroom doorknob. I think it was a German shepard. Well, about halfway thru the study of "Then is finished the Mystery Of God" her littlest girl got up and started dancing and slapping the books out of our hands. I started to laugh out loud and eventually the brother asked the sister to please do somethign about her daughter. Well, she got up and took her to the bathroom and wailed the livingshit outta her. We could here the thuds from how she was hitting her on the back with a closed fist. Then she took the dog''s chain and strapped the girl down to her chair with it. Then the dog went around the room licking everybody's face and crotch.

These are just a couple that I saw back in the 1970s from my own, kids-eye-view. What I got by being kicked in the tail and whipped with a belt and an electrical cord was nothing compared to these things that happened during theocratic meetings.

See, the society stressed the importance of the meetings. Nothing could be allowed to interrupt a meeting. Once a brother told my dad that if a hand grenade was tossed through a window, that a brother should jump on it and save everyone. Then the meeting should go on uninterrupted. That is psychotic to me. But the mentality continues to this day. Just last summer an elderly lady collapsed at the district assembly. The talker continued with his droning as paramedits treated
her for a heart attack. No announcement was made about her condition, not even a prayer for her was made...

The Way?

2008-11-16T19:20:00.000-08:00

In all my years I have never heard that the WTs has ever referred itself to "The Way" like 1st century disciples refered to their belief system as "The Way". The Bible also refers to 1st century disciples as Christians. I called my mom back in Albuquerque and she told me she never has heard it either. She did remind me of how some refer to brothers as "The Friends" and how the society calls the organization the "Truth". But does not recall any reference to "The Way".

Claiming Apostolic succession and all, I would assume that the JW would use a term used by the apostles. I wonder why they do not. Could it be because The Lord Jesus is denying them the name?

July 1, 2008 WT Lies About The Divine Name

2008-11-15T18:16:00.000-08:00

More lies from the Watchtower. This time they are claiming that Jesus prayed using the Divine Name (YHWH). an elder I know who is doubting the WT has researched it and found NO BIBLICAL PROOF of this claim. Not in the NWT, Not in the Emphatic Diaglott, and not in the Kingdom Interlinear.

The WT knows no bounds. Here is the scam of page 30 for you to see for yourself.

JWs Stumbling People With Their Online Misbehavior

2008-11-10T18:52:00.000-08:00

I was offered additional privleges at my hall and when I declined, apparently something in my way of declining prompted a visit from the presiding and service overseers. We went over the typical chit chat and the p.o. actually told me that Jesus is a S.O.B.

Meaning that his gardener Jesus (HaySoos)was lazy and overcharges him. It was on the hinge of blasphemy I thought, but oh well. Anyway, we got to talking and I explained to them the crap that the WTS has been doing and how I can no longer in good faith follow along. I also mentioned that a tiny part of the reason was how when I approched other JWs online with the issues I had I was met with hateful and very ugly comments. Highly unchristian responses were the norm rather than the exception.

Well the elders were not very convinced by my claims, so I took them online and showed them the questions I posted and the crap the so-called JWs were spewing from their asses. They were both shocked but the service overseer said nothing. The p.o. was very vocal and said these comments were a stumbling block to not only me but to anyone who might read them. Before I closed my browser he aske me to email him the links to the evil comments.

He mentioned wanting to run some counsel about internet posts in an upcoming Local Needs Talk. But from what I gather, those are pretty much scripted at Broolyn and have more to do with kicking the publishers until they go to the doors more and more. I thought his comments were interesting, though and wanted to share them here. What do you think? Do JWs do more harm than good to the organiation by going online and venting their hate for questions?

Totalitarian watchtower Society FORCES Millions To Not Vote.

2008-11-04T22:37:00.000-08:00

It never ceases to amaze me how the WT and its fanatical members keep on denying that there is not any pressure from the organization to do this or that or not do this or that. Below is part of a story that tells us how the WT FORCES people like the Williams sisters to not vote even theough they support Obama.

Tennis star SERENA WILLIAMS is rooting for BARACK OBAMA to become America's next president, even though her religion forbids her from voting.
Williams and her sister Venus are among several million Jehovah's Witnesses in the U.S. who are forced to remain politically neutral and restricted from taking part in elections.

Contact Music News
http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/williams%20cant%20vote%20-%20but%20hopes%20obama%20wins_1085641

Jehovah's Witness Pioneers In Foot Fetish Video

2008-11-04T04:56:00.000-08:00

I heard a rumor and checked it out. Apparently a foot fetish video producer got two pioneer sisters to pose their feet in a foot fetish video for the online amusement of foot fetishists. I was able to locate the video and thought about posting the link to the site, but you know it has some graphic stuff on it, so I decided not to. However here is some data on it (cut and Pasted exactly as it appears on the site.) :

Jehova Witness Sole Show
Meet this two half italian half south american cousin duo with size 8's. When they knocked on my door the first thing I asked them was if they wanted to model their feet because I had a foot fetish. Believe it or not they said of course but of course they found it weird! Check out their awsome soft white soles.

$2.99 USD
Length: 2 minutes

Size: 95 MB
Format: WMV
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Added: 08/29/08 08:11:20 PM

I know it is impossible to confirm their membership as Jehovah's Witnesses, but it seems pretty convincing with the name Jehova Witness Sole Show as the title.

Honest, you can't make this stuff up!

Is it ok now for sisters to do this sort of thing?

Jehovah's Witnesses Predicted Armageddon's Start In The 20th Century

2008-11-04T04:30:00.000-08:00

Jehovah's Witnesses Predicted Armageddon's Start In The 20th Century? Yea they did.
Again in my nightly research I read an interesting prophesy in an old Watchtower book my dad had way back in 1971. The title of the book is "The Nations Shall Know That I Am Jehovah. How?"
It states plain as day on page 216 paragraph 9 that:"Shortly, within our twentieth century, the "battle in the day of Jehovah" will begin against the modern antitype of Jerusalem, Christendom."

I double checked and I was right, this book is conveniently excluded from the WT CD-ROM, so what I did was scan the page and put it online to share it with the world.

I think this is significant because the WT always says that they never pointed to 1975 as the year the end would come. This indicates that in 1971 they were looking into the short future for the end to come. To be sure they covered their ass, they said in the 20th century. No wonder they left this book off the CD ROM!

What do you think of this discovery I have made about another false prophecy made by the Visible Organization of God?

In Good Fun

2008-11-04T00:59:00.000-08:00

The latest thing out of Brooklyn, NY this Fashion Season is here at last!

Be the first at your hall to get them!
When the Memorial Season arrives, show your loyalty to the organization!
Walk the corridors at the District Convention in "True" style!
Wear them out in field service so all will know you are one of Jehovah's Witnesses!

Watchtower Fashion Blinders!

Car-Group discount available...See your local coordinator of the body of elders for details today!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfol9ZZUKsI

Aren't they the COOLEST?

The Closed Minds Of JWs

2008-11-02T01:17:00.000-07:00

Most JWs believe things but have no rational way of expressing themselves. Many of them are on anti-depressant medications, or are very stressed out because of the pressures to conform to the hive-mind of their organization.

Others may actually be having doubts about their religious beliefs and instead of giving a calm response and reasoning from the scriptures as the Apostle told us to do, they become agitated and may resort to name-calling and telling people off. It is sad, but one of their publications foretold this about them.

"A closed mind may betray a lack of interest in the subject or a reluctance to look into the matter. In fact, it could even be a sign of uncertainty or doubt. For example, if we are unable to defend our religious views, we may find ourselves lashing out against those who challenge our beliefs, not with logical arguments, but with slurs and innuendos. This smacks of prejudice and of a closed mind." (AWAKE 11/22/1984 page 4)

Mind Control Techniques Of The Watchtower / Jehovah's Witnesses

2008-11-01T04:11:00.000-07:00

This video shows how to start your own cult. I was surprised how many of the mind control techniques are used by the Jehovah's Witnesses. If you are a JW and give it an honest look, I think you will agree how much mind control goes with being a JW. Love Bombing, Separation from family, Keep Busy, Singing, Focus on the leader/plan, etc.... Scary Stuff to this fat old cowboy!

Why JWs Are So Sensitive About Their Beliefs

2008-10-31T05:37:00.000-07:00

I have been around Jehovah's Witnesses over 40 years now and I was taught to answer all questions to the best of my ability with respect and honesty. If I did not have an answer I was taught to research and find one. When I started to find answers that prove the watchtower organization to be wrongly positioned as God's organization I still answer truthfully even if the answer makes the society look bad. What I see going on in online forums is a lot of angry and scared people trying to defend something out of base instinct. Jesus said we would know His disciples by their fruits. Many and not all mind you but many of the JWs tend to demonstrate more fruitage of the flesh than of the Spirit with their fits of anger, arrogant and dismissive attitude and lack of respect for the feelings and faith of others.

Much of what I see is when one of their doctrines cannot be supported with biblical evidence or when a flip flop of doctrine takes place we must accept the canned and scripted answer that Brooklyn poops out. And if we do not accept the word of sinful men over what is in the Word of God, we are apostates or otherwise unworthy of a truthful answer. Well, if I am an apostate I can say that I am in good company. Jesus was also condemned as an apostate by the hypocritical leaders of the then so-called chosen people of God. I would rather base my faith on what is in the Bible than what is in a bi-monthly magazine any day of the week.

The Bible never changes and neither does JHWH, The Rock. The watchtower changes when a few votes are cast by 9 sinful and senile old men in a board- room in Brooklyn New York

Is The Hubristic Pride Jehovah's Witnesses Display A Mark Of Insecurity In Their Beliefs?

2008-10-29T04:21:00.000-07:00

I posted the following at yahoo answers. It is amazing how some of the JWs responded.

Over the years I have noticed a lot of arrogant and puffed-up JWs go on the attack when confronted with questions they cannot answer. A study I was looking at indicates that some of them may be suffering from an inferiority complex.What is your take on this?

Is The Hubristic Pride Jehovah's Witnesses Display A Mark Of Insecurity In Their Beliefs?

Reference to the study at Live Science:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20081028/sc_livescience/grouppriderootedininsecurity

Here is the star post from an active JW that goes by the moniker "Desert Rose".

I have notice that you are in all the meeting ...but behind you criticize them....in front of them you are a good JW...but behind you attack them....Why people in this forum will pay attention to someone that acts as an hypocrite??Why you are not enough brave to leave them if you think they are false...that make you an hypocrite....Stand up and leave the KH of Jehovah ´s witnesses...be a man for once in your life..not a coward....people are seeing that you are insecure of your manhoodCANDI: I don´t go to churchs to make believe I am agree with them and behind criticize them....cowards do that...."

you email me: "Hi Rosie, to answer you honestly, I have to say that I attend meetings and when I have a question or a problem with one of the doctrines that sound unbiblical to me I approach the elders, hon.

"Like what?' that is false this planet will be ruled by Jesus Christ and transformed in a paradise?? and humans will inherit the earth?? that is false...right? prove it is unbiblical...if that is false prove me with the bible and what is the true if that is false

Source(s):
I am a Civil engineer professional working on my masters degree in Structural design
_______________________________________________________________

Amazing response wouldn't you agree?

Why Can't JW's Pledge Allegiance To The USA When Their Leaders Do?

2008-10-24T14:33:00.000-07:00

Jehovah's Witnesses are instructed by their leaders to never salute a flag, pledge allegiance to, or ever to sing the national anthem of any nation because this activity is idolotry.

QUOTE

"There are other challenges besides persecution that call for courage on our part. For some, talking to strangers about the good news is a challenge. The courage of some schoolchildren is tested when they are called upon to recite a pledge of allegiance to the country or to the flag. Since such a pledge is virtually a religious expression, Christian children have boldly resolved to act in a way that pleases God, and their fine record has been heartwarming" (Watchtower of 3/1/2003 page 9 paragraph 5)
End of quote.

This has been going on for decades and I doubt that any JW would dispute my source. My question has to do with why the presidents of the Watchtower Organization are allowed to do this:

Further, I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of The United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations, or purpose of evasion; so help me God.

So, Why Can't Jehovah's Witnesses Pledge Allegiance To Any Nation When Their Leaders Do?

Reference Sources

Watchtower Documents web page
http://www.watchtowerdocuments.com/downloads/2008_Jehovahs_Witnesses_and_National_Oaths_of_Allegiance.pdf

WT 9/15/2002 Pages 21-22

Watchtower of 3/1/2003 page 9 paragraph 5

Scan of WT Pres. Nathan Knorr's signature swearing allegiance to the United States of America.
http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/Watchtower_Facts/oathknorr.jpg

List of other WT presidents who also pledged allegiance to the USA in stark disregard for watchtower policy against idolotrous activities:

Application for United States passport #B1494270 issued to Nathan Homer Knorr on May 21, 1971, at the New York Passport Agency (approved May 19, 1971)

Application for United States passport by Charles Taze Russell issued March 7, 1910, (Passport Application Number 21454)

Application for United States passport by Joseph Franklyn Rutherford issued April 1, 1922, (Passport Application Number 136794)

Application for United States passport #733078 issued to Milton George Henschel approved September 22, 1952

Why Not Admit To Being Part Of The WT?

2008-10-23T19:51:00.001-07:00

When out in door to door service I always identified myself proudly as one of Jehovah's Witnesses when asked what church I was with or if I was associated with the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. God hates a liar and a coward.
So I was on a blog a minute ago and read how I was wrong to be doing that! Imagine, I was baptized in 1981 and since then I have been wrong when I tell people the truth when asked my affiliation.
Here is a scan of the February 1989 Our Kingdom Ministry telling us to avoid telling that we are part of Jah's visible organization:

Source: ...publishers do well to avoid representing themselves as agents or representatives of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., or any other corporation used by “the faithful and discreet slave” to advance Kingdom interests (February 1989 Our Kingdom Ministry page 3).

Were you aware of this? I know I was surprised to read that.

Jehovah's Witness Elders Accused Again of Failing To Report Pedophile!!

2008-10-21T09:10:00.000-07:00

Lori Coolican , Canwest News Service

Published: Monday, October 20, 2008

SASKATOON - Two women who were sexually abused in their adolescence by a trusted older relative say elders of the small-town Jehovah's Witness church in which they were raised did not report the situation to police after he admitted touching them inappropriately during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

"We were left to endure years of guilt and shame," one of the women wrote in a victim-impact statement read aloud by Crown prosecutor Krista Zerr during the man's sentencing hearing in Saskatoon Court of Queen's Bench on Monday.

"I felt like damaged goods."

Due to a publication ban on information that could identify the victims, the convicted man's name cannot be published. He pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault earlier this year, on what was supposed to be the first day of his trial. In exchange, the Crown dropped charges of sexual interference and sexual touching, as well as a charge related to a male complainant.

Both victims, now ages 31 and 32, testified against the man at an earlier preliminary hearing. They did not attend court Monday. Justice Neil Gabrielson reserved his decision on the man's sentence until Nov. 21.

The two women grew up in a town of about 500 people, east of Saskatoon, and were not allowed to associate with anyone outside their religion, except during school hours, court heard. They frequently spent time at the home of the older relative and his wife, who were church members in their early 20s at the time.

"We trusted them, as Witness families would," the victims' father told the preliminary hearing, according to Zerr. "We assumed (the girls) were in a safe environment."

During one such visit, the man's wife suggested the girls allow him to give them "oil massages," Zerr said. One of the victims, who was 13 or 14 years old at the time, told court the massage involved lying face-down on the couple's bed with the door closed, naked from the waist up. It ended with him fondling her breasts repeatedly.

Her sister testified the man touched her breasts and vagina on several occasions when she was at the couple's home, starting when she was 12 years old.

The girls were given vodka to drink on some of their visits, and were invited more than once to try on pieces of lingerie belonging to the man's wife, who sold it as a source of income, court heard.

After telling each other about the abuse, the two sisters informed their parents. Their father confronted the man, who did not confirm or deny what had happened, and the matter was subsequently reported to church elders, Zerr said.

"There was no report to the police at that time."

Instead, the man received a lecture from the elders, and many in the community rallied around him because he regularly attended church meetings - while the girls were "treated like troublemakers" and encouraged to let the whole thing go, one of the victims wrote.

Their father and their abuser later became "dear friends, and would go for coffee daily," a situation which continues to this day, she added.

"We were trash-talked and slandered throughout the community . . . the religion abandoned us."

The Crown is seeking a jail sentence of two years less a day - which means the man will likely avoid a penitentiary term - while defence lawyer John Will argued Monday for a conditional sentence to be served at home.

Will gave the court several character references in his client's favour, signed by fellow church members and others, including the town's mayor.

Aside from "some serious mistakes many years ago," the man has led an "exemplary" life, Will said.

Saskatoon StarPhoenix 2008
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=c9d1bb57-3db6-4c5d-81d1-6f70fd9f1b4d
_________________________________________________________________________________

Mister Lorenzo here to say that this sort of activity is not only criminal but immoral. How can an organization that breaks so many civil and moral laws and still say it is God's Theocratic Organization? Something must be done to stop the abuse of our children by these monsters.

The Watchtower Society Is The Regimental Flag Of Jehovah's Witnesses

2008-10-20T02:01:00.000-07:00

In my research of the Watchtower Society, I found a rather strange statement in the Watchtower magazine. Basically it says that JWs need to pay UNRESERVED LOYALTY to the Watchtower Society. It goes on to say that a soldier always follows his regimental flag and that the Watchtower Society is indeed their flag.

From my experience as a JW I know that the indoctrination process continues to this day that it is vital to PAY UNRESERVED LOYALTY to the Watchtower Organization. Today I understand that saluting a flag is considered to be IDOLOTRY by Jehovah's Witnesses. The watchtower is itself an idol and part of the worship of the Greek Goddess Artemis of Ephesus.

Is God Really Going To Destroy Everyone But Jehovah's Witnesses?

2008-10-20T01:55:00.000-07:00

There are almost 7 billion people on Earth and of that number there are about 7 Million Jehovah's Witnesses. So, if Armageddon came today, approximately 1/1000th of the population would survive according to what the Jehovah's Witnesses teach. That would mean that of the 7 billion living souls alive right this second, 6,993,000,000 would be executed by the loving and organized God of the Watchtower Organization.When Satan fell he dragged down with him 1/3 of the stars or angelic sons of God (Revelation 12:3-4). When God made men He made us a "...little lower than the angels." (Hebrews 2:6-7) Why then is (according to the Watchtower), Satan able to lead astray .333 of the angels but .9999999999 of Gods earthly children? If we are only a little less than the angels wouldn't it seem more logical that a little more than 1/3 of us would be destroyed at Armageddon? Perhaps even as many as HALF of us?I am really questioning this teaching of their faithful and discreet slave class. Do you think God would really butcher nearly 7 billion people and save only the Jehovah's Witnesses?

I don't. So once again I am led to question the validity of anything the governing body of Jehovah's Witnesses says.

Reference

Watchtower 9/1/1989 Pg 19 Paragraph 7:
Only Jehovah’s Witnesses, those of the anointed remnant and the “great crowd,” as a united organization under the protection of the Supreme Organizer, have any Scriptural hope of surviving the impending end of this doomed system dominated by Satan the Devil.

Are Holidays Really Not Biblical For Jehovahs Witnesses?

2008-10-20T01:47:00.000-07:00

I was raised to believe that all holidays (Archaic: HOLY DAYS) are evil. In fact anything that is festive or celebrated by non-JWs is off limits and if a JW partakes in any of the festivities, and the elders find out about it you can be shunned and even put out of the congregation.I was researching this teaching and comparing it with the Bible and I found an interesting point that Paul wrote in Collosians 2:16
"So don't let anyone judge you because of what you eat or drink. Don't let anyone judge you about holy days. I'm talking about special feasts and New Moons and Sabbath days."

Now I don't like to cherry pick scriptures so in reading the entire second chapter I find that the context of verses 6-23 seems to be not allowing yourself to be forced into following people's rules or rather being free from the rule of men through Christ Jesus.How would you interpret this scripture in the context of chapter two? Am I right or am I way off base here by having Thanksgiving Dinner here at my home and doing the whole Christmas celebration at my brother's house this year?

Question At Yahoo about Bethelites and Retirement

2008-10-15T06:14:00.000-07:00

Will You Help Jehovah's Witnesses At Bethel To Get Retirement and Health Benefits?
Why did the Watchtower Society fight Bethelites all the way to the Supreme Court of Spain in order to keep them from receiving Social Security payments? Don't these hardworking men and women deserve at least some sort of Social Security as they retire? How about Bethel here in the United States and abroad? Bethelites are being dismissed in droves with no retirement or health benefits. Do they need to sue the Watchtower like the Spanish brothers had to? Maybe we should!Below are some references. The letters are in Spanish for obvious reasons. If you don't understand Spanish, find someone to help you. Letter From The Spanish Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs Part 1: http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/...Letter Conclusion: http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/...A video I made in support of a friend and his coworkers at Patterson Farm and the other USA Bethel Offices who have been turned tot he street for growing old and infirm:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrH8kpexi...

The Promise Of Paradise & A Shovel

2008-10-01T15:33:00.000-07:00

My folks got that knock at the door and received a married couple that were preaching about a coming paradise. They promised them fellowship with a brotherhood of true Christians who worshiped God with Spirit and Truth. What they got was something different. But more on that later.

The first thing that happened was my dad lost his job and we lost our home, because my dad's boss was diametrically opposed to the Jehovah's witnesses and he called them Watchtowerites and Russellites. Past experience is my best guess as to why he called them that. Either way my dad and the rest of us were out on our collective ass.

The couple just happened to have a vacant apartment with a store-front that they could rent to us. (Turns out everyone that lived at the old boss's place got a visit from this couple and they were all streeted and wound up renting an apartment from the JWs.) So we moved in and my dad opened up a electronics and communications repair shop in the store-front and we lived in back.

The next door neighbors were also JWs and were very nice people. We became friends with the kids and my folks became friends with the sister who was divorced and raising her kids alone. I also began my first year of school in a town that hated the JWs. My teacher was the Devil in Drag and made no bones about wanting to kick my ass every time I didn't salute the flag or draw a jack o' lantern or whatever else my folks forbade me to do.

Of course I puked every single morning before I got to school (Until 11th grade) and I cried for my little brother at lunch for a week, because he and I always had lunch together. I was not allowed any friends except JW's and we were a definite minority in that podunk little town. So I spent my time doing homework, fretting over the next day of abuse at school, and going to meetings at the kingdom hall three days a week.

One fun thing that we did do was follow the brother/landlord around as he did chores on the property. We learned a lot about fishing too from him and gardening. Once my brother saw him covering up a water meter cover by kicking dirt onto it. (That is a good story)! My folks were studying the truth book with the landlord and his wife, going to all the JW meetings and planning on getting baptized. My dad also worked in his shop and got a good paying job out of town and my mom worked herself to death caring for us.

Several months later dad was paying bills and noticed that the water bill was FIVE TIMES higher than the month before. He was looking around to see if there was a leak or something and could not find the meter to trace back where the line was under the ground. He was looking and my brother asked him what he was looking for. He told him what it looked like and he said that So-and So had covered it up with dirt. He showed him where it was.

When he opened the cover my dad saw that all of the apartments and the landlord's house had their water lines going thru our meter. My folks were now supposed to foot the bill for everyone's water I guess. No way! LOL My dad went to talk with the landlord but he was not around, so my mom said that when dad was at work, if she saw him she would ask him to talk with dad about the water meter.

She got up Monday and saw the man walking the property. She confronted him with me in tow. It got ugly right away. He said it was not her place as a woman in God's arrangement to question him. She still demanded an answer and he got really upset and hit my mom across her hip with his shovel. She screamed in pain and told me to go get help. So I ran out to the highway and as luck would have it a State Trooper was driving by, so I flagged him down. My mom didn't press the charge but we did move. So much for the paradise and fellowship with a brotherhood of true Christians. That was when I had doubts about this group called Jehovah's Witnesses. But my folks stuck with it....

Formative Years 1962-1968

2008-09-24T19:09:00.000-07:00

As I stated in my previous post, my folks were good people trying to raise their family in an atmosphere of love and understanding. We spent lots of good times as I rememebr during my early formative years. In 1963 my brother was born and we moved to California, then we moved to New Mexico about a year or so later.

I remember having lots of fun in a sunny backyard and with family. We used to go visit my maternal grandparents pretty frequently. My sister was born in 1966 and since she was sick we had some struggles. She got better and the family was still very much focused on being loving and spending time with our relatives. I can still remember one Christmas when my dad came in to tuck us in and I was pretending to be asleep. As he left the room he said, "Ho Ho Ho you guys."

I remember every evening right before we would pray before dinner my dad would read a chapter from his bible. I got used to it and it became just a normal part of our life. As I got older, the aroma of mom's delicious dinners would get to me and I could hardly bear the droning of my dad reading things I did not understand. Once I asked mom to ask dad to turn off the Bible....LOL I guess I was hungrier than normal that night! We prayed, my dad read from God's Word, and we were happy even if we did not attend a church.

That all stopped pretty soon after I asked for dad to turn off the Bible. One morning when dad was at work, our stove exploded. Apparently the pilot light had gone out and my mom was trying to light it. Well, she had not vented the room before she struck the match and kaboom! I heard the noise and my mom and little brother scream. I went in and saw my mom nearly bald from the flame and my brother crying. She sent me for dad and I ran out the door and hopped a three foot picket fence without even touching it and O ran off to get him. This is relevant because it was that same week when the Jehovah's Witnesses came a knockin'.

All through my young childhood me and my family were very happy without a church in our lives. To be happy all we needed was God and His Word.

More Later........

My Beginnings 1959-1962

2008-09-23T14:37:00.000-07:00

I was born in the middle of the winter of 1962 in the American Southwest. I am a mutt of sorts being that my Mom is part Jewish, Irish, Tewa Indian, Mescalero Apache, and Spanish. My Dad was part French, Dutch, and Spanish. They were both members of varying groups of Pentecostal Christians.

Turns out that once they met in the one church they both were attending back in 1959, they quit going. The pastor showed up at my dad's place and found them living together "in sin". When he exhorted them to repent and return to the flock, Mom asked why on earth she would return when she had aslready gotten what she wanted from his church. My Dad...LOL

They married in 1960 and were very happy. Neither of them had finished high school, but they earned good money. My Mom did any number jobs and my Dad was a self-taught engineer with a good background in electronics communications. My mom was told that she was barren and unable to have children, so when she found out she was pregnant with me they were very surprised.

They lived their life as Christians but did not attend a church. They mostly worked and worked and worked in order to make a good life for their new family. They even had this gorgeous solid gray cat named "CHOPO". After I was born they had to find him a new home because every time they left me alone, they would find him suffocating me under his weight by laying on my face. Evil kitty.....

During the early days leading up to my birth and throughout my infancy my folks were happy and they loved their little boy.

More later.......