tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42844727070497703922024-03-18T23:00:18.009-04:00Saved From The Watchtower - JW.ORGTo help humble and honest hearted ones know The Truth.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284472707049770392.post-71622328355000285772015-05-28T13:15:00.000-04:002015-05-28T13:15:26.172-04:00A Brave Young WomanExposing abuse and corruption is never easy, especially when so young:<br />
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Please take the time to watch and share the above video. Thank you.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284472707049770392.post-76827857751801953442015-05-17T12:38:00.000-04:002015-05-18T08:05:31.417-04:00More Donation Money RequiredGoverning body member Stephen Lett, showcased and utilizing televangelism on the JW Broadcasting site, May 2015 edition, denying 'they' ask for money, moments before he asks (albeit indirectly) for money, makes for an embarrassingly obvious hypocritical liar:<br />
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<a href="http://tv.jw.org/#video/VODStudio/pub-jwb_201505_1_VIDEO" target="_blank">http://tv.jw.org/#video/VODStudio/pub-jwb_201505_1_VIDEO</a><br />
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It's a fine demonstration of being like any other money grabbing religious charlatan, and is truly one of the "spiritual" leaders of Jehovah's Witnesses. <br />
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Yes, the Supreme Being of the universe needs your money; give generously and please <strike>them</strike> Him, indeed. "Listen, Obey, and be Blessed" has never sounded so good to some...Especially for those who are leading the sheep.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284472707049770392.post-22639551481742487072014-10-08T12:52:00.000-04:002014-10-22T12:29:56.934-04:00TV.JW.ORG - A Hip And Cuddly Watchtower RebrandingWhat can we stream from the net today?<br />
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<b>Catholic Broadcasting</b> - <a href="http://www.catholictv.com/">http://www.catholictv.com/</a><br />
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<b>Baptist Broadcasting</b> - <a href="http://sugarcreek.tv/">http://sugarcreek.tv</a>/<br />
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<b>Christian Broadcasting</b> - <a href="http://www.streamingfaith.com/">http://www.streamingfaith.com/</a><br />
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<b>Trinity/Christian Broadcasting </b>- <a href="http://www.tbn.org/">http://www.tbn.org/</a><br />
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<b>Mormon Broadcasting</b> - <a href="http://www.mormon.org/videos">http://www.mormon.org/videos</a><br />
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And now...<br />
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<b>Jehovah’s Witnesses Broadcasting</b> - <a href="http://tv.jw.org/">http://tv.jw.org/</a><br />
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As the self-proclaimed 'celestial chariot of God' plays catch up with the other religions of the world, the re-branding and relatively new marketed Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society's religion, distances itself even further from its embarrassing "Watchtower" associated history and pushes forward with its 'JW.ORG' moniker.<br />
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Those who have the experience of being a part of the organization in the 1990's and earlier will recall the outright bad-mouthing and demonizing of the internet and broadcast media evangelizing.<br />
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However, desperate times call for desperate measures. So, Jehovah's Witnesses, welcome to a modernization, in part, by immersing into the religious multimedia club; as the Society's business leaders try to make the religion appear less antiquated and more mainstream.<br />
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Will it work, or will it backfire to an extent? Time will tell. History has shown many will continue to toe the line, regardless of any change the leaders implement and the flip-flopping on many issues.<br />
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Additionally, to aid in the Orwellian world the Watchtower Society provides to its sheep regarding its past, they've only made available online, literature from the year 2000 and newer, while having discontinued CD-ROMs containing older Watchtower produced publications filled with hypocrisy and contradictions.<br />
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In an age of information though, the opportunity for ignorance to remain and the overlooking of facts occurs less, especially in First World nations, as do tolerance for those who continue to perpetrate a fraud. Nonetheless, the 'social club' aspect of a book publishing company turned real estate money making machine may retain its loyal followers.<br />
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Furthermore, the emotional and mental hold, the investment of one's life and resources, may have reached or will reach a tipping point yet.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284472707049770392.post-90391587478483622242014-07-22T09:57:00.000-04:002014-07-23T09:22:51.006-04:00JW.ORG Children ActivitiesThe Watchtower Society knows exactly what they're doing respecting the impression it tries to leave with young ones. Their Governing Body approves publishing children storybooks and/or activities that may deeply and profoundly affect the mind, including decision making abilities.<br />
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Who can forget "<i>My Book of Bible Stories</i>" with the picture of the flood, and the mother holding on to her baby about to die a drowning death due to not heeding the warning of going to and remaining inside the <strike>Watchtower organization controlled Jehovah's Witnesses</strike> ark?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fIMiWzcLQWff7qXtSapp-usKoUcYojQ3Bj6Cw4VP96VsBNlnGWbE_vrj_PRcy9CQqXUfBio8Y2Sy6GPjVcxQb4Z5vlU7exhLh1JUF9jqoJ84nJ39spHNZY7d6GL4Cw9Rqlda0snLIozO/s1600/CHILD1_FLOOD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fIMiWzcLQWff7qXtSapp-usKoUcYojQ3Bj6Cw4VP96VsBNlnGWbE_vrj_PRcy9CQqXUfBio8Y2Sy6GPjVcxQb4Z5vlU7exhLh1JUF9jqoJ84nJ39spHNZY7d6GL4Cw9Rqlda0snLIozO/s1600/CHILD1_FLOOD.jpg" height="222" width="320" /></a></div>
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Lot's wife was also a prominent story in that book with a well illustrated picture of her turned into a pillar of salt, situated in a backdrop of fire destruction, while Lot and his daughters who obeyed <strike>the Watchtower</strike> Jehovah, and did everything exactly the way <strike>the Watchtower</strike> Jehovah stated, were saved.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggR641PX_DEfM1JJwT4pE0OT00t6nrAuUiQOh0ejO2Xd4tesRhrEyXCqhP_biJTcrdTm0L8yWZhwkGiR_I3ooutrIcpHYZ0zRoY8T7VHHMrQfJiYv1gjaM2LPXOI4h4FRrKDUfRj64z5lK/s1600/CHILD2_LOTBS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggR641PX_DEfM1JJwT4pE0OT00t6nrAuUiQOh0ejO2Xd4tesRhrEyXCqhP_biJTcrdTm0L8yWZhwkGiR_I3ooutrIcpHYZ0zRoY8T7VHHMrQfJiYv1gjaM2LPXOI4h4FRrKDUfRj64z5lK/s1600/CHILD2_LOTBS.jpg" height="154" width="320" /></a></div>
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It builds fear as earlier as possible regarding leaving the Watchtower organization. Children see the deaths of the mother and her baby and Lot's wife vividly illustrated which can place in their mind (sub) consciously,<i> "<b><span style="color: red;">If I leave</span> Jehovah's Witnesses, <span style="color: red;">this will happen to me</span> (at Armageddon)</b>"</i>, much stronger than just words on a page.<br />
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Some of the latest Watchtower Society's BITE model actions include the following coloring activity geared towards young children on JW.ORG :<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Tpv23oTG25yTeV8COj-R7Iw7MUL4q4apSqDsgy5oE5kwClYX4EIsUFT8l3ZkQuRfUlsSr5Avb6Tw2K1Rj2jfPtYr8wIhSZlFNmWnTHPHqvc7AGIU-LAkW7VyzJ6SrOkIpcCnoGwmGqPM/s1600/CHILD3_LOTCOLORING.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Tpv23oTG25yTeV8COj-R7Iw7MUL4q4apSqDsgy5oE5kwClYX4EIsUFT8l3ZkQuRfUlsSr5Avb6Tw2K1Rj2jfPtYr8wIhSZlFNmWnTHPHqvc7AGIU-LAkW7VyzJ6SrOkIpcCnoGwmGqPM/s1600/CHILD3_LOTCOLORING.jpg" height="320" width="257" /></a></div>
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It's <i>argumentum ad metum</i> or <i>argumentum in terrorem</i> - an <b>appeal to fear</b>, the<b> fear mongering tactics</b> employed that is par for the course when it comes to...<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">B</span></b>ehavior control<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">I</span></b>nformation control<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">T</span></b>hought control<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">E</span></b>motional control<br />
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All for and from the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284472707049770392.post-31303166462053991272014-06-12T10:45:00.000-04:002014-06-12T11:03:52.550-04:00Dogs - Appropriate for Jehovah's Witnesses?The Watchtower teaches that Jehovah's Witnesses do not celebrate birthdays in part due to a couple of tragedies during two of them, which therefore places them under a negative light in God's eyes.<br />
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If such select reasoning from the Bible places birthdays in unfavorable light, how about pets? Specifically, let's consider dogs.<br />
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We will see how dogs are often viewed, whom they are associated with and are they appropriate then for Jehovah's Witnesses?<br />
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Straight from their 2013 revision of the Bible provided by the Watchtower Society:<br />
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<b>Isaiah 56:10 -</b> <i>His <span style="color: red;">watchmen</span> are <span style="color: red;">blind</span>, <span style="color: red;">none</span> of them have <span style="color: red;">taken note</span>. <span style="color: red;">All of them are speechless dogs</span>, unable to bark. They are <span style="color: red;">panting</span> and <span style="color: red;">lying down</span>; they <span style="color: red;">love</span> to <span style="color: red;">slumber</span>.</i><br />
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<b>Psalms 22:16-21 -</b> <i>For <span style="color: red;">dogs surround me</span>; They close in on me <span style="color: red;">like a pack of evildoers</span>, Like a lion they are <span style="color: red;">at my hands and feet</span>. I can <span style="color: red;">count all my bones</span>. They <span style="color: red;">look on and stare at me</span>. They <span style="color: red;">divide my garments among themselves</span>, And they cast lots for my clothing. But you, O Jehovah, do not remain far away. You are my strength; hurry to help me. <span style="color: red;">Save me from</span> the sword, My precious life from <span style="color: red;">the paws of dogs</span>; Save me from the mouth of the lion and the horns of wild bulls; Answer and save me.</i><br />
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<b>Proverbs 26:11</b> - <i>Like <span style="color: red;">a dog</span> that returns to its vomit, <span style="color: red;">The stupid one</span> repeats his foolishness.</i><br />
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<b>Philippians 3:2</b> - <i><span style="color: red;">Look out for the dogs</span>; look out for those who cause injury; look out for those who mutilate the flesh.</i><br />
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<b>Revelation 22:15</b> - <i><span style="color: red;">Outside are</span> the <span style="color: red;">dogs</span> and <span style="color: red;">those who practice spiritism</span> and those who are <span style="color: red;">sexually immoral</span> and the <span style="color: red;">murderers</span> and the <span style="color: red;">idolaters</span> and <span style="color: red;">everyone</span> who loves and practices <span style="color: red;">lying</span>.</i><br />
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From their own Bible, dogs are often placed in a negative light with unfavorable connotations and associated with those who are liars, idolaters, murderers, sexually immoral and practice spiritism.<br />
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From the Watchtower's own version of the Bible using their reasoning, Jehovah's Witnesses should be more concerned with avoiding or having dogs as pets, if they are drawing any sort of conclusion to avoid birthdays from the Bible.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284472707049770392.post-68156664278078664262014-05-22T14:00:00.002-04:002014-06-10T09:39:34.902-04:00Real Estate And The New Donation Arrangement The Watchtower Society's sold properties in recent years include:<br />
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<i>360 Furman Street</i> = <b>$205 million</b><br />
<i>67 Livingston Street</i> = <b>$18.6 million</b><br />
<i>89 Hicks Street</i> = <b>$14 million</b><br />
<i>169 Columbia Heights</i> =<b> $50 million</b><br />
<i>50 Orange Street</i> = <b>$7.1 million</b><br />
<i>165 Columbia Heights</i> = <b>$4.1 million</b><br />
<i>161 Columbia Heights</i> = <b>$3 million</b><br />
<i>183 Columbia Heights</i> = <b>$6.6 million</b><br />
<i>105 Willow Street</i> = <b>$3.3 million</b><br />
<i>34 Orange Street</i> = <b>$2.825 million</b><br />
<i>Bossert Hotel</i> = <b>$81 million</b><br />
<i>67 Remsen Street</i> = <b>$3.25 million</b><br />
<i>173 Front Street, 177 Front Street, 200 Water Street</i> = <b>$30.6 million</b><br />
<i>117 Adams Street, 55 Prospect Street, 175 Pearl Street, 81 Prospect Street, 77 Sands Street, 90 Sands Street</i> = <b>$375 million</b><br />
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<b>TOTAL</b> = <b><span style="color: red;">$804,375,000</span></b> in real estate property sales.<br />
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The Watchtower Society has also recently arranged for congregations to survey and collect a form indicating a pledge amount publishers commit to in writing that would be donated monthly, in cooperation with a new donation arrangement. <br />
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There have been a few letters sent to the elder bodies concerning this arrangement, including a four pages one, in which only the first page was read to the congregation. The three pages that followed laid the groundwork for the below <i>"adjustments"</i>. <br />
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In the letter dated <b>May 12, 2014</b>, and shared among the Elder Body alone, it directs:<br />
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In part, it stipulates:<br />
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1. Each congregation is allowed to keep <b>2-3 months</b> of operating expenses in the bank.<br />
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2. A <b>maximum</b> amount of $5000 per Kingdom Hall in additional reserve.<br />
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3. The only other items permitted to be consider and have money set aside is for other already agreed to resolutions such as: <i>The Kingdom Hall Assistance Arrangement</i>, <i>The Traveling Overseer Assistance Arrangement</i>, and now this new arrangement which is completely restructuring finances.<br />
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Surplus in the bank is to be sent to the Watchtower Society and not saved by the congregation. This was <span style="color: red;"><b>covered on page 3</b></span> from the letter dated <b>March 29, 2014</b> (Again, <span style="color: red;"><b>only page 1 was read to the congregation</b></span>):<br />
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The Governing Body has referred to the above restructuring of finances towards a so-called "<i>Kingdom Hall and Assembly Hall construction program</i>". They are taking practically<span style="color: red;"> <b>all of the congregations' saved and surplus money in addition to setting up (indirect) tithing with its members</b></span><b>.</b><br />
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<b>Please, Jehovah's Witnesses - WAKE UP!</b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284472707049770392.post-59287818914291249662014-05-01T13:55:00.001-04:002014-05-01T13:57:12.643-04:00Appointing Power And ResponsibilityThe following letter dated April 22, 2014 was recently read to all congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses from their Governing Body:<br />
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Oddly enough, it has taken decades for Jehovah’s Holy Spirit to reveal to the Governing Body this scriptural precedent of having traveling/circuit overseers perform appointments and deletions of Ministerial Servants and Elders directly for the congregations. <br />
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Or is the reason due to what was once viewed as power and control by the Governing Body has become a liability. <br />
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Indeed, by placing the responsibility of appointment and deletions into the hands of Circuit Overseers, issues like Elders and Ministerial Servants sexually molesting or even raping children cannot be traced directly back to the Governing Body as the ones responsible for appointing and retaining such individuals within the congregation.<br />
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Rather, the finger points and accountability reaches to the height of the Circuit Overseer only; whereas now the Governing Body can once again wash its hands clean of responsibility.<br />
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The Governing Body is not only retreating in their previous prominent physical location to a more secluded and isolated area, they are also trying to minimize and reduce their accountability towards congregational issues. <br />
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Truly these are spiritual leaders of integrity and self-sacrifice, are they not?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284472707049770392.post-81572297503354809852014-04-04T16:20:00.000-04:002014-04-04T16:20:06.240-04:00The Gilead ExperienceFrom a friend as an open letter to all...<br />
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<i>"I was in the 119th class of Gilead in 2005. From the time I graduated, it was another year or so before I resigned. In that time, all the pieces came together. </i><br />
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<i>JW's are taught and conditioned to respect their visible leaders, even though they pay lip service to Jesus as their leader. I got to see the 'pecking' order, and after I graduated, briefly joined it. My status shot up to an all time high. I was respected, even loved, because I went to Gilead and went to Africa. I thought that would be nice, although when I actually went through it, it really offended me. </i><br />
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<i>Sorry for the above rambling/prelude. The whole point of this is how JW's use and understand the bible. You see, on a very fundamental, foundational level, the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses (GB) don't use the bible the way JW's teach it at the door. I learned at Gilead that for the "mature" ones who "dine on solid spiritual food" (i.e. the highly indoctrinated zealots), the bible is all about "Christs brothers". Please note that when the Watchtower says "Christs brothers" they mean the GB. They mean the leadership. They mean, be obediant to us, or you will be diobediant to Jehovah... and his son, whats his name?? Jesus! </i><br />
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<i>It is little wonder that this is the last thing one learns as they start studying with JW's. It starts with paradise, living forever, Jehovah, Jesus, living a moral life, loving the congregation, replacing your family with the congregation, THEN, after you have developed some level of infatuation with this group and have undergone a sufficient amount of love bombing, you are introduced to the highly doubtable concepts of congregation authority, how Jehovah mysteriously rules through Jesus and this group of men Jesus inspected in 1918 and found them superior to every other Christian group on the planet. </i><br />
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<i>If you buy it, you want in, you get baptized. But remember, you are still new, still a babe, still "immature". All of this is code for: One who is not ready to really study and accept how the leadership of Jehovah's Witnesses use the bible to their own self serving means. </i><br />
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<i>It means you are still a babe to the fact that JW's really teach that practically ALL "faithful" OT charecters from Noah and Abraham through Elijah and Elishah and David to Hezekiah are prophetic of the Presidents of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. The one I refer to the most is as an answer to one of the questions on a Gilead test, Elijah prophetically pointed to Judge Rutherford, Elisha pointed to N H Knorr. That is my favorite, that is when I realized I was mislead. But to be fair, JW's teach that most all of these characters refer to the leadership of Jehovah's Witnesses, the Governing Body. (GB) </i><br />
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<i>"Mature" JW's is a misnomer. It has nothing to do with maturity. That is code for "willingness to believe whatever you are taught, and to follow whatever the GB says, even if they change back and forth on doctrine in a god-dishonering fasion." Mature ones are impatient with the immature for questioning what they are taught. Mature ones become elders, ministerial servants and pioneers more quickly because they blindly obey. To question, esp after any period of time elapsing after baptism, means you are "immature". </i><br />
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<i>Of course, this is all so self serving within the group. Another layer of indoctrination and peer pressure to keep everyone in line. Gilead "taught" me this. I learned that within the GB world view, it is scriptural to be nutty about anything the WT says, but to leave your brother cold and miserable and naked if they disagree with a teaching or doctrine. </i><br />
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<i>I know that there are some who don't and won't believe what I just said. That is their right. There will always be some people who are susceptible to high control groups and cults. But to those who were raised as JW's, to those who for some reason accepted and bought a bill of goods that they found wasn't real, they should know the truth about "the truth". They should know how cynically the bible is used by the leadership of this group to their own ends.</i><br />
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<i>They should know that to the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses, the bible isn't about you. It isn't about Jehovah. It isn't about Jesus. Its all about them, the Governing Body, "Christs brothers", the Faithful and Discreet Slave. It's all about them, for them, and it is a sham. They are as prophetic as dead skin. THAT is what I learned at Gilead. THAT is what the bible is all about to the leadership of Jehovah's Witnesses."</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284472707049770392.post-11698467915334845782013-10-07T20:14:00.000-04:002014-07-22T13:24:21.116-04:00A New Bible - The Revised 2013 New World TranslationA revised, <strong>New World Translation Bible</strong> has been released to Jehovah's Witnesses, during their Annual General Meeting this year. This <strong>2013 revision</strong> is supposed to make for a better, easier reading in a modern English language. <br />
<br />
However, there is much more to it than just that. They have catered verses and manipulated others (Even more so than the previous edition) to suit their teachings and agenda.<br />
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Some more noteworthy aspects include the complete removal of <strong>Mark 16:9-20</strong> <strong>and John 7:58 thru 8:11</strong> from the Gospel accounts.<br />
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A softer, kinder ‘Father’, Jehovah is presented that does not promote women to be raped or treated like property. For instance, <strong>Numbers 31: 17, 18</strong> as presented in the previous <strong>revision from 1984</strong> states:<br />
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<em>"And now kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has had intercourse with man by lying with a male. And <strong><span style="color: red;">preserve alive for yourselves all the little ones among the women</span><span style="color: red;"> who have not known the act of lying with a male."</span></strong></em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em></em><br />
In the <strong>2013 Revision</strong> it now states:<br />
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<em>"Now you should kill every male among the children and kill every woman who has had sexual relations with a man. But <strong><span style="color: red;">you may keep alive all the young girls who have not had sexual relations with a man</span></strong>."</em><br />
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This provides the opportunity for Jehovah's Witnesses to believe and promote that they have a better picture of how loving Jehovah is and only those other (false) religions state from their (false) Bibles that God wanted the virgins to be taken by the men. Their organization has increased light and understanding.<br />
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To promote the Watchtower's teaching of Jesus dying on a stake instead of a cross, they have changed the scripture in<strong> John 19:6</strong>. In the previous <strong>1984 edition</strong>, the verse reads:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfC9eGC8DOOd0vuiRO__W_NUcmMF5g5AtMfwTyxmQdhpwRJc713ElzluIJTU37ZJIczuymApSo9zkYWMkf2zU66Sh7V27CxK0cqguNYs2BvkyFIkEQ5zI2Aqt3suM66TgbvTHIkof7Flbf/s1600/JOHN1984.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfC9eGC8DOOd0vuiRO__W_NUcmMF5g5AtMfwTyxmQdhpwRJc713ElzluIJTU37ZJIczuymApSo9zkYWMkf2zU66Sh7V27CxK0cqguNYs2BvkyFIkEQ5zI2Aqt3suM66TgbvTHIkof7Flbf/s400/JOHN1984.PNG" height="80" width="400" /></a></div>
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<em>"However, when the chief priests and the officers saw him, they shouted, saying: <span style="color: red;"><strong>"Impale [him]! Impale [him]!" </strong></span> Pilate said to them: "Take him yourselves and impale him, for I do not find any fault in him."</em><br />
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In this new <strong>2013 revision</strong>, they changed the scripture to suit their doctrine better:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEXdxYlJvl1e2fbFuiHIqeGJJoKYCW3ZkKkdTnu9vOSBI0t3xZ68ofHF_-IBy-h_TIRUUi37oYB9lWdSuG6vMq410ydD59aNL51NgD5M7ZPUFtLf2R53aK-qfZjT8UmYtzaOekMtip06s/s1600/JOHN2013.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEXdxYlJvl1e2fbFuiHIqeGJJoKYCW3ZkKkdTnu9vOSBI0t3xZ68ofHF_-IBy-h_TIRUUi37oYB9lWdSuG6vMq410ydD59aNL51NgD5M7ZPUFtLf2R53aK-qfZjT8UmYtzaOekMtip06s/s320/JOHN2013.PNG" height="192" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em>"However, when the chief priests and the officers saw him, they shouted: <strong><span style="color: red;">"To the stake with him! To the stake with him!"</span></strong> Pilate said to them: "Take him yourselves and execute him, for I do not find any fault in him."</em><br />
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Additional manipulation to verses includes the Watchtower Society replacing previous listings of 'older men' to 'elders' to harmonize with their congregational arrangement.<br />
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Further along those lines, the term 'loose conduct' has been replaced with 'brazen conduct', which has been defined to the elders essentially as the going against anything the elder's state or implement. <br />
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It provides greater latitude to the body of elders to make judgments as they see fit towards, not just the actions, but also the attitude of a Jehovah's Witness. They have the potential to become more authoritarian and control the congregation better.<br />
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The Watchtower Society even managed to slip in their business originating term of 'governing body' into the 2013 revision of the New World Translation under the highlights section for Acts chapter 15, on page 1459:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQk9Xyxp4NVw7lbt7M7RKtcZu3AzG-hLeaYdWemAhIDsVuNBOez0YxYAVV-nVsWSwKU04g7GtpdOuGZzTlhnwxZ7UEQIE9PL2LZPt5LZcRnm4-i0h703xAtrR6V_V5GsVqnXo6whbrjum/s1600/ACTS2013GOVBOD.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQk9Xyxp4NVw7lbt7M7RKtcZu3AzG-hLeaYdWemAhIDsVuNBOez0YxYAVV-nVsWSwKU04g7GtpdOuGZzTlhnwxZ7UEQIE9PL2LZPt5LZcRnm4-i0h703xAtrR6V_V5GsVqnXo6whbrjum/s400/ACTS2013GOVBOD.PNG" height="133" width="400" /></a></div>
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It marks another change to the Bible to give support to the Watchtower Society ideas and practices towards Jehovah’s Witnesses; specifically, that such a group existed back in the first century and that the current spiritual leaders of the Watchtower Society (A few men who sit at headquarters), are carrying on that legacy.<br />
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The Watchtower Society promotes on the surface what may appear to many, if not most Jehovah's Witnesses, just a better and easier to read Bible. The reality is this 2013 revision is one that has been further manipulated from their own prior translation in an appeal to authority to promote their agenda and teaching with little regard to original texts, despite their claims to the contrary. <br />
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The leaders of the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses want to control the information and manipulate emotions with this updated Bible, which in turn will impact the follower’s behavior and thinking. All to the praise and honor of the organization...'Praise <strong><em>the Watchtower</em></strong> you people!'Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284472707049770392.post-73074155260053786502013-07-24T10:48:00.000-04:002013-07-24T10:52:29.183-04:00Errant Beliefs - Part ThreeWhether you believe Jehovah’s Witnesses are God’s chosen people, the only ‘true’ Christians, just another religion, a high level control group, or a cult, the fact is conscientiously or not, the practices and methods of Jehovah’s Witnesses incorporate usage of the BITE model found and employed within high level control groups and cults.<br />
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The BITE model describes various controls over human behavior, information, thought and emotion.<br />
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In a series of postings to this blog, eight points will be briefly highlighted – one per post - concerning errant beliefs in respects to cult and high level control group involvement.<br />
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<strong>POINT THREE: "He Has The Right To Believe What He Wants To Believe." </strong><br />
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Some think they should not interfere due to the above perspective. Truth is, members <span style="color: red;">may seem</span> to be exercising their own free will, but this is an illusion. <br />
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When people in a controlled environment are subjected to <span style="color: red;">psychosocial influences</span> - like group conformity or behavior modification techniques - they can be manipulated into accepting a completely different belief system.<br />
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For anyone born into a belief system - religious, political or other - there comes a time when they should <span style="color: red;">challenge and test assumptions</span>. This process applies not just to cult members - It is a <span style="color: red;">necessity</span> for all mature, responsible people. <br />
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Source: <em>Chapter 5 - "Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs" by Steven Hassan</em><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284472707049770392.post-32995366075607374292013-06-10T16:06:00.000-04:002013-06-10T16:06:58.972-04:00A House DividedJehovah's Witnesses, which one is it?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlLu-g5kYxNAvrFN01g_E1nnB-t_rmNSU6dfTwspcxgnigw8x_KEDgLYlOeRJiP_BBku5rBwki8OLrDfXJOrFn5_i0cC3QG_P81MxSQt9QUgaCetFoCgafK4-Fm8eblEWemWI6hHlAF64v/s1600/CHOICE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" cya="true" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlLu-g5kYxNAvrFN01g_E1nnB-t_rmNSU6dfTwspcxgnigw8x_KEDgLYlOeRJiP_BBku5rBwki8OLrDfXJOrFn5_i0cC3QG_P81MxSQt9QUgaCetFoCgafK4-Fm8eblEWemWI6hHlAF64v/s400/CHOICE.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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When is the Watchtower Society correct?<br />
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<em>"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."</em> - <strong>Awake July 2009, Page 29.</strong><br />
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Or<br />
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<em>"Really, what your beloved family member needs to see is your resolute stance to put Jehovah above eveything else - including the family bond."</em> - <strong>Watchtower, January 15, 2013, Page 16.</strong><br />
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It is impossible to uphold both statements. To try and do so would be <strong>hypocritical.</strong>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284472707049770392.post-67286167583552104872013-05-24T14:12:00.000-04:002013-05-25T19:38:05.481-04:00Abandoned and New TeachingsIf you have read the <strong>July 15, 2013 (Study Edition) Watchtower</strong> as a Jehovah's Witness, it means the following to you:<br />
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<em>-The Watchtower Society had previously asserted that a Faithful and Discreet Slave Class has been in continual existence since the first century. <strong>That has been abandoned.</strong></em><br />
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<em>-CT Russell was a member of the faithful slave and passed on the 'truths' of the Faithful and Discreet Slave into modern times. <strong>That has been abandoned.</strong></em><br />
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<em>-The Watchtower Society has always taught that the Faithful and Discreet Slave is all anointed ones on earth. <strong>That has been abandoned.</strong></em><br />
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<em>-The Watchtower Society had rejected the idea in the past that the Faithful and Discreet Slave is a small, elite group in the Organization (See March 1, 1981 Watchtower, pp. 24-26). Now, it teaches precisely that idea, and calls what it used to reject as "apostate" thinking, "new light". <strong>That is new.</strong></em><br />
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<em>- The Faithful and Discreet Slave is now exclusively the Governing Body (A few men residing at the Brooklyn headquarters). <strong>That is new.</strong></em><br />
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<em>-The Watchtower Society used to teach that Jesus came invisibly in 1918 or 1919, inspected the Bible Students, chose them and appointed them over all his belongings. <strong>This has been abandoned.</strong></em><br />
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<em>-The Watchtower Society now teaches that Jesus appointed Rutherford as the first Faithful and Discreet Slave member in 1919, and appointing them over all his belongings will not happen until he arrives in the future. <strong>That is new.</strong></em><br />
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<em>-The Watchtower Society used to teach that only the anointed were part of the domestics. <strong>This has been abandoned.</strong> </em><br />
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<em>-The domestics are made up of both the anointed and great crowd. <strong>This is new.</strong></em><br />
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Essentially, the Watchtower Society has abandoned <strong>core doctrines</strong> it has held as absolute truth from God for decades - some close to 100 years - and, without admitting it, is now teaching those doctrines were <strong>false</strong>, replacing them with <strong>new beliefs</strong>.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284472707049770392.post-49856707815854380602013-04-04T13:18:00.001-04:002013-04-04T13:22:13.245-04:00Mormon DiscreditingThe Watchtower Society often attacks and attempts to discredit the beliefs and teachings of various religions. In the <strong>February 1, 2013</strong> issue of the <strong>Watchtower</strong> magazine, on <strong>page 9</strong>, it prints the following point that bothered a Mormon concerning their faith:<br />
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<em>"I dug deeper into the teachings of my faith and also consulted with responsible Mormon Church leaders. I was told that the answers to my questions involved mysteries that one day would be solved <strong><span style="color: red;">as the light became brighter</span></strong>".</em><br />
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There could not be a clearer case of the pot calling the kettle black.<br />
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Fact is Jehovah's Witnesses are taught the same thing. Indeed, constant "new light" is always coming through the Watchtower Society's primary indoctrination tool the Watchtower magazine. <br />
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Perhaps the Watchtower should focus more on the Bible and less on attacking the faith of individuals, especially passages such as:<br />
<br />
<strong>Matthew 7:3...</strong><br />
<em>"And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?"</em><br />
[New King James Version]<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284472707049770392.post-78664827461046474062013-02-05T09:06:00.000-05:002013-02-05T09:11:58.435-05:00Errant Beliefs - Part Two<br />
Whether you believe Jehovah’s Witnesses are God’s chosen people, the only ‘true’ Christians, just another religion, a high level control group, or a cult, the fact is conscientiously or not, the practices and methods of Jehovah’s Witnesses incorporate usage of the BITE model found and employed within high level control groups and cults.<br />
<br />
The BITE model describes various controls over human behavior, information, thought and emotion.<br />
<br />
In a series of postings to this blog, eight points will be briefly highlighted – one per post - concerning errant beliefs in respects to cult and high level control group involvement.<br />
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<br />
<strong>POINT TWO: "He's An Adult, We Have No Right To Interfere." </strong><br />
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Many say this about not helping a cult member. However, if a friend or family member questions his right to interfere, remind him that his <span style="color: red;">love gives him the right to be concerned</span>. <br />
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If a loved one is under the influence of destructive influence, <span style="color: red;">relatives and friends have the right and the obligation</span> to take steps to undo the process.<br />
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Once the cult member has an opportunity to <span style="color: red;">learn</span> about and <span style="color: red;">recognize</span> the features of destructive cults, and <span style="color: red;">meet</span> with former members and critics, he will be in a position to make an <span style="color: red;">informed decision</span>. <br />
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<em>Source: Chapter 5 - "Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs" by Steven Hassan</em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284472707049770392.post-55182044547484481782013-01-28T11:36:00.001-05:002013-06-11T09:53:33.609-04:00Elders' View Is God's ViewThis past Sunday's study article in Kingdom Halls had the organization talking out both sides of its mouth again. However, instead of the typical contradiction paragraphs, several articles apart, or even between different publications, this came from<strong> paragraph 16</strong> on <strong>page 30</strong> of the <strong>November 15, 2012</strong> <strong>Watchtower</strong> magazine:<br />
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<em>"In accord with Jehovah's will, Christian elders have been entrusted with the responsibility of handling cases of wrongdoing in the congregation. These brothers <strong><span style="color: red;">do not have the full insight that God does</span></strong>, but they aim to make their decision harmonize with the direction given in God's Word under the guidance of holy spirit. Hence, what they decide in such matters <span style="color: red;"><strong>after seeking Jehovah's help in prayer will reflect his point of view</strong></span>"</em></div>
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So elders "do not have the full insight that God does", but when making a decision they "will reflect his point of view".</div>
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In other words, "Elders are imperfect men and are not inspired. However, since they say a prayer and ask for God's holy spirit, they are telling you exactly what Jehovah would say on the matter".<br />
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Here's a simple flow chart for it:<br />
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<strong>Jehovah's Witnesses Elders</strong> --> <strong>"Prays to God on Matter"</strong> --><strong> Elders' View = God's View</strong><br />
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Note, the paragraph does not say it "<em>will help them reflect</em>" or it "<em>will assist to adjust theirs to a godly view</em>". Rather it "<strong><span style="color: red;">will reflect</span></strong>" <span style="color: red;"><strong>God's point of view</strong></span>.<br />
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The elders decision is power, control, and unquestionable authority from the sheep. After all it is God's point of view and not a human one...According to the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284472707049770392.post-7025531673603747002012-10-11T10:13:00.002-04:002012-10-12T14:03:59.678-04:00Faithful and Discreet Slave RedefinedFor decades, the ‘Faithful and Discreet Slave', at times referred to as the 'faithful and discreet slave class', has been known to Jehovah's Witnesses as comprising of everyone who is anointed with God's spirit. This will now become “old light” for Jehovah’s Witnesses, despite the fact that it was still very much supported by the Watchtower Society for decades and discussed in current magazine articles.<br />
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Recent Watchtower magazines have testified:<br />
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<strong>Watchtower November 1, 2007, page 30, paragraph 12</strong>:<br />
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<em>"... <span style="color: red;">all of the anointed ones living on earth at any given time constitute 'the faithful and discreet slave'</span> that Jesus said would provide timely 'food' for his 'domestics'."</em><br />
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Even as recent as <strong>2009 </strong>it states in <strong>June 15th Watchtower pages 22-24</strong> when posed with the question:<br />
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<em>"Do all anointed Christians on earth share in providing spiritual food?"</em><br />
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<em>"No. <span style="color: red;">All who are anointed with God’s spirit are part of the faithful and discreet slave class</span>, but those making up the Governing Body oversee the spiritual feeding."</em><br />
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The problem with the above - at least a problem for the Watchtower leaders, known to Jehovah's Witnesses as the group of men who make up the "Governing Body", was seeing the number of Jehovah’s Witnesses claiming to be of the anointed ones on Earth as partakers at their Memorial celebration increasing; along with some becoming vocal about being equal "slaves" to Christ and not some anointed seen as more 'special' or 'blessed' than another especially regarding doctrine and teachings.<br />
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Some of the anointed ones actually came together outside of the jurisdiction of the current Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses to try to rectify some of the teachings and issues within the organization.<br />
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Consequently, the few men leading the Watchtower Society have taken additional measures to ensure that their word is final and the only word that is unquestionably coming from God. During the <strong>2012 Annual Meeting</strong> recently held the "new light" (or new way of interpreting some select scriptural passages) is as follows:<br />
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• <strong>The Faithful and Discreet Slave was NOT appointed at Pentecost 33 C.E.</strong>, meaning that there has not been a continuous line of members of the Slave Class on the earth down through the ages. The Slave Class was only <strong>appointed for the first time by Christ in 1919</strong>.<br />
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• <strong>The Faithful and Discreet Slave is a small group of anointed brothers during Jesus’ presence serving at Watchtower Headquarters who are directly involved in the preparing and dispensing of spiritual food</strong>. The individual members of the Governing Body are not the Faithful and Discreet Slave. They only act as the Faithful and Discreet Slave when they are working as a collective body in making decisions regarding the dispensing of spiritual food.<br />
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• The “<strong>domestics</strong>” of Matthew 24:45 are <strong>all</strong> those who are <strong>fed</strong> spiritually by the Governing Body, <strong>whether of the anointed or “other sheep”.</strong><br />
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• The events described in <strong>Matthew 24:46, 47</strong> now refer to Jesus coming during the Great Tribulation and <strong>giving the Governing Body their reward in heaven along with the rest of the anointed</strong>.<br />
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• The <strong>“belongings”</strong> of Matthew 24:47 refer to<strong> all</strong> of Christ’s <strong>heavenly and earthly</strong> interests.<br />
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• Despite founding the Watch Tower Society, <strong>Charles Taze Russell was not part of the Slave Class</strong> because he was not alive and serving at Headquarters when Christ made his selection in 1919.<br />
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The above changes are huge to both the history and the fundamental understandings of the organization. <br />
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The Faithful and Discreet Slave as decreed by the Watchtower Society is now only the few men who sit on the Governing Body. They are the first and last word - officially - on anything to do with doctrine, teachings and understanding of God and the Bible. No other anointed member has a say or input. Their claim is God has chosen them solely as the Faithful and Discreet Slave.<br />
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All other anointed ones now are basically just like the other sheep, but having a heaven reward instead of an earthly one according to Watchtower teachings. This silences and puts a figurative gag on all other members of Jehovah's Witnesses who claim to be of the anointed and tries to provide any input regarding the organization. They are only a ‘Domestic’ and should follow the Governing Body just like the ‘other sheep’ of Jehovah’s Witnesses do. Truly and officially, they are all sheep just following the direction of their leaders on the Governing Body.<br />
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As the last point shows, the organization has distanced themselves far from their foundation. They claim Russell was not of the anointed class and the class was merely taking shape in his days. This covers over a number of transgressions and any questioning of the history of the slave from the early days of the Watchtower Society and even prior to that. The Watchtower Society in effect is ignoring (Or selectively ignoring) anything prior to 1919, as it had nothing to do with them or the spiritual leadership of the organization at the time. How this doesn’t contradict and logically flow as Russell was the first president leading and starting the organization will probably be covered in future magazine articles. <br />
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In part, it is a cleanup job to re-write or discount unanswered or confusing beginnings of the organization while trying to make it more convincing as to why their teachings and beliefs or so much different now from their humble beginnings, and why such changes are appropriate with the excuse of “new light”.<br />
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Sadly many, if not most, Jehovah's Witnesses will probably either ignore or overlook the changes, to say even less about realizing the significance of it. The Watchtower Society leaders continue to tighten their grip and control of the members. Ironically, more than ever, the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses are becoming ‘officially’ more structured like the Catholic Church - oh, the irony. Watchtower Headquarters is the equivalent of the Vatican for Jehovah's Witnesses.<br />
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Nevertheless, belief is powerful. It can be surprising what people will swallow when their whole worldview is at stake. For Jehovah’s Witnesses they are indoctrinated to not question or go against the ‘Faithful and Discreet Slave’ – Not to go against the organization or its leaders.<br />
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The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses are ensuring the members fully understand <strong>you never question them and only their interpretations should be followed</strong>. Others claiming to be of the anointed class under Jehovah’s Witnesses do not matter – they are truly just another member being instructed like the rest...<br />
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Following the Governing Body means following God - Very sad, but also very true to the worldview of Jehovah's Witnesses; even more so since the leaders have redefined the Faithful and Discreet Slave to their agenda.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284472707049770392.post-28286080464005072072012-10-02T10:04:00.000-04:002012-10-05T08:43:22.603-04:00FruitageI just came across some tragic news today. This is absolutely and completely terrible and horribly devastating. My deepest sympathies and warm thoughts to those impacted by this tragedy - Especially to those who were closest affected by it.<br />
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I will implore those who think there is some ‘good’ within the organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses to please think long and hard about that ‘good’. The ‘good’ is either superficially, fake, phony, counterfeit or/and can be found elsewhere. <br />
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If you can honestly say you have personally examined and experienced the thousands of Christian denominations, some of which make the same claims as Jehovah’s Witnesses, then you will know that there is truly nothing special or particularly unique about the organization, despite their propaganda to the contrary. <br />
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There is though a ‘bad’, an ‘evil’ that is ever so rampant, practiced as well as supported by its millions of followers by means of the interpretations and teachings of the Watchtower.<br />
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This ‘bad’ this ‘evil’ that is not an exception has happen and continues to happen many times over to those who were members is real, is undeniable and shows what is at the core of the Watchtower’s fruitage. It is not love. Any love is trumped and superseded by guilt and fear. An organization that thrives off fear, superficially coated in an artificial love that becomes evident and abundant once a member leaves or is removed from the ranks.<br />
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Shunning is by far the most evil, manipulative and abusive device employed by the Watchtower Society and enforced by Jehovah’s Witnesses. It breaks up and divides families along with sometimes driving those impacted to mental instability, chronic depression, and extremely sad in some cases, like Eric Reeder – known to many as Oompa – Suicide.<br />
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Oompa, I am so, so sorry your pain and hurt was more than you could bear any longer due to the shunning you experienced…May you finally be resting in peace.<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67A0Imd6dng">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67A0Imd6dng</a><br />
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<strong>Keep Yourselves In God's Love (2008), Appendix, How To Treat A Disfellowshipped Person:</strong><br />
<em>"Is <span style="color: red;"><strong>strict avoidance</strong></span> really necessary? <strong><span style="color: red;">Yes</span></strong>...Loyal Christian family members do not look for excuses to have dealings with a <strong><span style="color: red;">disfellowshipped relative</span></strong> not living at home...Bible principles on this subject <strong><span style="color: red;">apply equally</span></strong> to those who <strong><span style="color: red;">disassociate</span></strong> themselves from the congregation."</em><br />
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<strong>Our Kingdom Ministry, August 2002, Page 4, paragraph 12:</strong><br />
<em>"Benefits of <strong><span style="color: red;">Being Loyal to Jehovah</span></strong>: Cooperating with the Scriptural arrangement to disfellowship and <strong><span style="color: red;">shun</span></strong> unrepentant wrongdoers is beneficial."</em><br />
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<strong>Watchtower, July 15, 1961, page 420:</strong><br />
<em>"...in order to hate what is bad <strong><span style="color: red;">a Christian must hate the person</span></strong> with whom the badness is inseparably linked."</em><br />
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<strong>Watchtower, November 15, 1952, page 703:</strong><br />
<em>"The law of the land and God’s law through Christ forbid us to <strong><span style="color: red;">kill apostates</span></strong>, even though they be members of our own flesh-and-blood family relationship."</em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284472707049770392.post-46982702350377213252012-09-25T13:12:00.000-04:002012-09-25T15:54:17.188-04:00Errant Beliefs - Part OneWhether you believe Jehovah’s Witnesses are God’s chosen people, the only ‘true’ Christians, just another religion, a high level control group, or a cult, the fact is conscientiously or not, the practices and methods of Jehovah’s Witnesses incorporate usage of the BITE model found and employed within high level control groups and cults.<br />
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The BITE model describes various controls over human behavior, information, thought and emotion.<br />
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In a series of postings to this blog, eight points will be briefly highlighted – one per post - concerning errant beliefs in respects to cult and high level control group involvement.<br />
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<strong>POINT ONE: "Why Should I Do Anything? He Says He's Happy!"</strong><br />
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Many people say this regarding not helping a loved one escape a cult. Members of the Heaven's Gate cult each made videotaped farewell statements that explained why <span style="color: red;">they had decided</span> to leave their vehicles-i.e., their bodies- and commit suicide. <span style="color: red;">All of them claimed</span> that they were exercising their own <span style="color: red;">free will</span>, and that they were happy to die.<br />
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It is unwise to accept at face value a cult member's words that he is happy. In a cult,<span style="color: red;"> happiness is</span> often redefined as <span style="color: red;">sacrifice</span> or <span style="color: red;">suffering</span>. Happiness in Heaven's Gate was overcoming individuality and human nature and suicide was redefined as advancing to the next level. Ingesting fatal pills with applesauce and vodka, and placing plastic bags over their heads was seen as a necessary stage of the metamorphosis. The cult identity was happy to die. But, this cult identity was deliberately concocted to <span style="color: red;">suit someone else’s aims</span>. It does not represent the whole individual. You might tell those who are taken in by the cult identity to look behind the smiling mask. <span style="color: red;">When the member says he is happy</span>, <span style="color: red;">the cult self is doing what it has been taught to do</span>.<br />
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Source: Chapter 5 - "<em>Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs</em>" by Steven Hassan.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284472707049770392.post-2481402889272811452012-08-17T14:36:00.000-04:002012-08-17T21:34:32.303-04:00Missing Meetings at the Kingdom HallVery often the Watchtower Society along with convinced supportive Elders, Ministerial Servants, Pioneers, and even the ‘average’ publisher cites <strong>Hebrews 10:24, 25</strong> for reason as to why members of the organization need to be at the Watchtower Society’s weekly arranged meetings. Quoting from that scripture – direct from <strong>The New World Translation</strong> – it states:<br />
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<em>"And let us consider one another to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as YOU behold the day drawing near."</em><br />
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The verses are extremely familiar to many Jehovah’s Witnesses. What may not be as familiar is the actual meaning and intent.<br />
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If one was to do the research, including understanding the context of the verses, it has nothing to do with formal meetings of worship.<br />
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What the verses are relaying is Paul’s encouragement to Jewish Christians who were still very zealous for and still felt the need to follow the Old Covenant. They consequently were withdrawing socially from other Christians who came to the realization that they were not under such Law. Paul is simply admonishing adherers of the Old Covenant not to avoid such social gatherings because doing so would result in “forsaking the gathering of ourselves together”.<br />
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Conclusively then, the verses are absolutely void of any proof text to support attending and being a part of the Watchtower Society's formal organized sessions of instruction and indoctrination, including their weekly meetings, along with conventions and assemblies of Jehovah's Witnesses.<br />
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If anything, the verses are indirectly suggesting something Jehovah’s Witnesses are taught through the Watchtower to be strongly against and avoid; that is to fellowship with Christians who do not believe the same as they do.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284472707049770392.post-44542165389503033692012-08-13T12:23:00.000-04:002012-08-14T16:03:10.719-04:00Daniel Flip-Flop BeliefThis past Sunday at conventions and Kingdom Halls, Jehovah's Witnesses were instructed through the <strong>June 15, 2012, Watchtower</strong>. Interestingly, the Watchtower Society went back to an old favorite regarding the statue described in the Bible book of Daniel. Here is what the Watchtower stated as "truth" on <strong>page 14</strong>, <strong>paragraph 11</strong>:<br />
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<em>"When describing the image, Daniel does not mention the number of toes. Therefore, the number seems no more significant than the fact that the image had multiple arms, hands, fingers, legs, and feet."</em><br />
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So the toes of the statue have no significance or at least that is what Jehovah's Witnesses are taught to believe now. Historically, they have been told:<br />
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<strong>Watchtower, May 15, 1959, page 313:</strong><br />
<em>"The number ten being a Biblical number symbolizing earthly completeness, the ten toes picture all such coexisting powers and governments."</em><br />
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<strong>Watchtower, June 15, 1978, page 13 "Human Governments Crushed by God’s Kingdom":</strong><br />
<em>"There does not appear to be any prophetic significance to the image’s having ten toes. This is a natural human feature, just as the image has two arms, two legs, and so forth."</em><br />
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<strong>Watchtower, July 1, 1985 page 31 "Questions From Readers":</strong><br />
<em>"Various views have been expressed about the ten “toes.” But since “ten” is often used in the Bible to signify completeness as to things on earth, the ten “toes” appear logically to represent the entire global system of rulership at the culmination of the days"</em> <br />
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To summarize, "ten toes" have:<br />
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<strong>1959 - <span style="color: red;">Meaning</span></strong><br />
<strong>1978 - <span style="color: red;">No Meaning</span></strong><br />
<strong>1985 - <span style="color: red;">Meaning</span></strong><br />
<strong>2012 - <span style="color: red;">No Meaning</span></strong><br />
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That's clear flip-flopping direction, instruction, and Bible truths coming from the only true organization that God is using to direct His people. Too bad, it seems we have another example of God being confused, because it couldn't possible mean the Watchtower Society running and controlling Jehovah's Witnesses doctrine and teachings just makes this stuff up or haphazardly guesses.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284472707049770392.post-32677064916511571392012-07-11T13:48:00.000-04:002012-07-11T14:34:30.437-04:00Past FocusAt times what a Jehovah's Witness may state when facts about the organization's past are brought to the forefront include:<br />
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"You are so focused on the past that you can't see the blessings in front of your eyes."<br />
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Without even approaching or deconstructing "the blessings" aspect, there are major issues with the reasonableness of such a claim or others similar to it.<br />
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The entire religion constantly refers to the past in both the Watchtower Study and as examples for them. What the comment is really implying is to stop looking at a specific issue or better yet, anything negative about the organization from the past.<br />
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So how far back should we look? What are the start and end points of where reflection in the past about the organization is appropriate? Which things do we include or leave out?<br />
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<strong><span style="color: red;">Would not an honest look and objective view include their entire past and all things both pro and con Jehovah's Witnesses</span></strong>?<br />
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Additionally, ask how that comment is not applicable to any other religious organization. Cannot any member of any religion make the same exact statement? It does not make that religion any better or 'truer' than another.<br />
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<strong>It is selective attention to the past or-and living in an Orwellian world</strong>. If trying to reason with an individual with a selective past focus, you are going to have a hard (and probably wasted) time doing so.<br />
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In fact, it may be better to keep in mind this biblical directive in reference to such an attitude and mindset:<br />
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<strong>Matthew 7:6</strong><br />
<em>"Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before swine..."</em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284472707049770392.post-38901796801630360172012-07-10T10:33:00.000-04:002012-07-10T11:36:26.664-04:00Baptism And Marriage<strong><span style="color: red;">BAPTISM:</span></strong><br />
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<strong>Watchtower, April 15, 1987, page 13, paragraph 14:</strong><br />
<em>"If one has ‘counted the cost,’ it places one at no disadvantage to make a dedication as a youth. With almost all new Christians, after baptism appreciation deepens. “<strong><span style="color: red;">Getting baptized as a youngster</span></strong> was a protection for me,” explained David. “As I got older, I noticed how some unbaptized teenagers in the congregation felt free of the authority of the elders and as a consequence veered into bad conduct. But I always remembered that I had dedicated my life to God. My life was already taken, so I could not follow such teenagers.”"</em><br />
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<strong>Watchtower, July 1, 2006, pages 29-30, paragraph 16:</strong><br />
<em>"Numerous Witnesses around the world feel that their decision to get baptized when they were young helped them greatly. Take as an example a 23-year-old Witness in Western Europe. He recalls that <strong><span style="color: red;">getting baptized at the age of 13</span></strong> motivated him to be careful not to be swept away by “the desires incidental to youth.” (2 Timothy 2:22) Early on, he set his sights on serving as a full-time minister. Today, he serves happily at a branch office of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Rich blessings await all youths, including you, who choose to serve Jehovah."</em><br />
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<strong>Watchtower, June 14, 2011, page 6:</strong><br />
<em>"A Christian mother writes: “Children who are baptized have more reasons to stay away from the bad things of the world. My son, <strong><span style="color: red;">baptized at 15</span></strong>, feels that baptism is a protection. ‘You don’t think about doing something contrary to Jehovah’s law,’ he said. Baptism is a strong motivation for righteousness.”</em><br />
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<strong><span style="color: red;">MARRIAGE:</span></strong><br />
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<strong>Watchtower, February 15, 1999, page 5:</strong><br />
<em>“It is very risky to get married <strong><span style="color: red;">too young</span></strong>,” says Nikki, who was <strong><span style="color: red;">22 when she married</span></strong>. She cautions: “Your feelings, goals, and tastes will continue to change from the time you are in your late teens until you are in your mid-to-late 20’s.” Of course, readiness for marriage cannot be measured by age alone. Nevertheless, marrying when one is not past the youthful stage when sexual feelings are new and especially strong can distort one’s thinking and blind one to potential problems."</em><br />
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<strong>Watchtower, April 15, 2008, pages 17-18, paragraph 6:</strong><br />
<em>"Are you young and still unmarried? If so, how should you regard the prospect of marriage? You can avoid much heartache if you <span style="color: red;"><strong>wait until you are physically, mentally, and spiritually ready</strong></span> for marriage before you start a romantic relationship with a Christian of the opposite sex. Of course, the Scriptures do not stipulate an age for marriage. However, the Bible does show that you do well to wait until you are past that time in life when sexual feelings are very strong. (1 Cor. 7:36) Why? Because strong sexual impulses can distort good judgment and cause you to make unwise decisions that may result in heartache later."</em><br />
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<strong>Watchtower, January 15, 2011, pages 19-20, paragraph 11:</strong><br />
<em>"Although most young people would like to marry eventually, there are <strong><span style="color: red;">good reasons not to rush into marriage</span></strong>. Paul encourages youths to <span style="color: black;">wait at least until they are past “the bloom of youth,”</span> when sexual desires are most powerful. (1 Cor. 7:36) It takes time to <strong><span style="color: red;">understand yourself and acquire the experience in life</span></strong> that is needed to choose a suitable mate. Making a marriage vow is <span style="color: red;"><strong>a serious decision</strong></span>, <span style="color: black;">one that should last for life."</span></em><br />
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According to the Watchtower Society the Jehovah's Witnesses are instilled with a notion that baptism even at a very young age - Teens and even younger - is fine and encouraged, yet marriage at such a young age or even somewhat older (20's) is discouraged.<br />
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However, should there not be a correlation between the seriousness of marriage and the maturity needed and that of being baptized? <br />
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Well, what example do we have to reflect upon? Should any examples or experiences suffice? Who would be the prime example for anyone stating they are Christian? <br />
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Jesus - who all Christians should be striving to imitate as closely as possible - was baptized at the tender age of...<br />
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<strong><span style="color: red;">30 years old</span></strong>! <br />
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<strong>Luke 3:21-23:</strong><br />
<em>"Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized and, as he was praying, the heaven was opened up and the holy spirit in bodily shape like a dove came down upon him, and a voice came out of heaven: “You are my Son, the beloved; I have approved you.” Furthermore, Jesus himself, when he commenced [his work], was about <strong>thirty years old</strong>"</em><br />
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As any Jehovah's Witness should know, their <span style="color: red;"><strong>baptism is even more serious and binding than marriage</strong></span> and devotion to their spouse. Should not the same admonition of not rushing and waiting until one is older and physically, mentally, and spiritually ready, until making such a serious dedication apply? Again, look to the example of Jesus Christ according to the Bible.<br />
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From their own literature they relate how 22 years old can be too young for marriage. Is 22 years old (or even younger), not too young for baptism, then?<br />
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Why *really* does the Watchtower Society want members to baptize at such an early age? <strong><span style="color: red;">It undisputedly goes against the prime example of Jesus</span></strong>. Something 'less serious' as marriage is discouraged by the organization even into early-to-mid 20's.<br />
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Could the Jehovah's Witnesses practice of shunning have influence over this position by the Watchtower Society? How about stronger indoctrination, or fear and guilt? Think about it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284472707049770392.post-68718859652525713942012-06-15T15:51:00.000-04:002012-06-25T15:19:59.538-04:00Child AbuseRecently, the organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses managed by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society has been found liable in a child abuse case. <br />
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What led to this is heavily based on instructions they provide in their own handbooks to the leaders (elders), which they place in charge of the congregation. The following is taken directly from “<strong>Shepherd The Flock Of God</strong>”, <strong>chapter 12 paragraph 18</strong>: <br />
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<strong><em>"You should <span style="color: red;">immediately call the branch office</span> for direction if you learn of an accusation of child abuse, regardless of the age of the victim now or at the time of the alleged abuse, even if it occurred before the alleged perpetrator’s baptism. The branch office will then give direction based on the circumstances involved in each situation."</em> </strong><br />
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Elders are directed: not to call police promptly, not to report the crime through proper legal channels as soon as possible, but to <strong><em>immediately call the branch office</em></strong>.<br />
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Consequently, this means the Watchtower Society is in full knowledge of abuse events reported and responsible for the instructions provided to their local representatives (Elders), inclusive of when the directions are to not alert the authorities that a member is molesting children.<br />
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The chain of events respecting this recent case is as follows:<br />
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-A child had previously come forward to Elders and said she was molested by a member. The matter was kept private and sealed with no action taken because there was no second witness present for that specific abuse (Per Watchtower policy). <br />
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-Another child comes forward to Elders and says she was molested by the same member; this is the second child to come forward against the accused. Yet, the Elders (Leader representatives picked by the Watchtower Society) allowed the person to remain in "good standing" before the congregation.<br />
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-The pedophile has since changed congregations, and a third child and her parents are unaware of the prior abuses as Elders instructed by the Watchtower Society's Legal Department were directed to not reveal or report anything to the authorities or anyone else. This third child ultimately became a victim to the same person and was sexually molested.<br />
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-Finally, after years have passed, the accused member was caught by authorities as being a child molester. The third child abused is the one who pressed forward, first in trying to get the Watchtower Society to change its policy, and when that failed, pursued legal action against them.<br />
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As a result of negligence by the Watchtower Society’s picked representatives (Elders), children were molested by the same member without action being taken to stop the pedophile. Furthermore, the Watchtower Society itself did nothing to report the instances to authorities. <br />
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When you know that someone is engaging in flagrant illegal activity that is causing harm to others, and you do nothing about it, you could be named as a conspirator. The conspirator here found guilty is the Watchtower Bible Tract Society.<br />
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From this one cover up alone, several children were forever scarred. This incident is not an exception either, please do the research.<br />
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Protecting the organization and assets of the Watchtower Society always comes first and abused children take no priority over it. Legally, it is wrong. More so, this moral and conscientious stance is disgusting and reprehensible. <br />
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Notice this last piece of directions on the matter from the Watchtower Society taken from <strong>page 72</strong>, <strong>paragraph 39</strong> of the same previously mentioned publication:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62on_5bQ-onn0x1Jw0v1wDth-Nhqven6aQheJQuwivtQJQSWacG9FA9ys9dbqSfd3mforQcKiDmXiyLwLCKlph0OkRWlBaNGp0ODV76qc7myPgldl23f814yHu6GsWZwMlYVIxKrbXqxZ/s1600/Child_Abuse2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62on_5bQ-onn0x1Jw0v1wDth-Nhqven6aQheJQuwivtQJQSWacG9FA9ys9dbqSfd3mforQcKiDmXiyLwLCKlph0OkRWlBaNGp0ODV76qc7myPgldl23f814yHu6GsWZwMlYVIxKrbXqxZ/s400/Child_Abuse2.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<em><strong>"If the accused denies the accusation, the investigating elders should <span style="color: red;">try to arrange a meeting with him and the accuser together</span>. (Note: If the accusation involves child sexual abuse and the victim is currently a minor, the elders should contact the branch office before arranging a meeting with the child and the alleged abuser.) If the accuser or <span style="color: red;">the accused is unwilling to meet</span> with the elders <span style="color: red;">or if the accused continues to deny the accusation</span> of a single witness and the wrongdoing is not established, the elders will <span style="color: red;">leave matters in Jehovah's hands</span>."</strong></em><br />
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You read that correctly: Elders will try to bring the abused child and the one who molested them together for a meeting, but if that doesn't work out, or the molester refuses to meet or he just needs to deny the accusation, then "<em><span style="color: red;"><strong>leave matters in Jehovah's hands</strong></span></em>". <br />
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After all there was only one witness present (The child abused) and no one can confirm the abuse took place (As if expecting a 'real' pedophile to molest children in front of other people). This is the actual policies of Jehovah's Witnesses as enforced by the Watchtower Bible Tract Society.<br />
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The entire arrangement is utterly and completely wrong and not from a supposedly loving God or a 'one true organization' serving him. Protect the organization - That is *the* chief directive and concern. Child abuse can and will continue to thrive under such conditions and attitudes among Jehovah's Witnesses.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284472707049770392.post-89995623003248575752012-06-08T15:38:00.000-04:002012-06-12T14:49:46.878-04:00Revelation Trumpet BlastsAccording to <em>'Revelation - Its Grand Climax At Hand'</em>, published by The Watchtower and Bible Tract Society, from the 2006 revision of the original 1988 published book, studied and believed to be "the truth" by Jehovah's Witnesses worldwide, angelic trumpet blasts and their prophetic significance is as follows:<br />
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<strong>Revelation 8:7</strong><br />
<span style="color: red;">1st Angel Trumpet blown</span> = <span style="color: red;">September 10, 1922 convention</span> in Cedar Point, Ohio.<br />
[<em>Page 134, paragraph 18</em>]<br />
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<strong>Revelation 8:8, 9</strong><br />
<span style="color: red;">2nd Angel Trumpet blown</span> = <span style="color: red;">August 18-26, 1923 convention</span> in Los Angeles, California. <br />
[<em>Page 134, paragraph 22</em>]<br />
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<strong>Revelation 8:10, 11</strong><br />
<span style="color: red;">3rd Angel Trumpet blown</span> = <span style="color: red;">July 20-27, 1924 convention</span> in Columbus, Ohio.<br />
[<em>Page 137, paragraph 33</em>]<br />
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<strong>Revelation 8:12</strong><br />
<span style="color: red;">4th Angel Trumpet blown</span> = <span style="color: red;">August 29, 1925</span><span style="color: red;"> convention</span> in Indianapolis, Indiana.<br />
[<em>Page 140, paragraph 39</em>]<br />
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<strong>Revelation 9:1</strong><br />
<span style="color: red;">5th Angel Trumpet blown</span> = <span style="color: red;">September 1-8, 1919</span><span style="color: red;"> convention</span> in Cedar Point, Ohio.<br />
[<em>Page 143, paragraph 5</em>]<br />
Additionally, led to emphasis of some judgments which brought "first woe" during <span style="color: red;">May 25-31, 1926 </span><span style="color: red;">convention</span> in London, England.<br />
[<em>Page 147, paragraph 18</em>]<br />
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<strong>Revelation 9:13, 14</strong><br />
<span style="color: red;">6th Angel Trumpet blown</span> = 1919 release from bondage.<br />
[<em>Page 149, paragraph 4</em>]<br />
Additionally, led to emphasis of some resolutions which brought "second woe" during <span style="color: red;">July 24, 1927 convention</span> in Ontario, Canada.<br />
[<em>Page 149, paragraph 5</em>]<br />
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<strong>Revelation 11:15</strong><br />
<span style="color: red;">7th Angel Trumpet blown</span> = 1914 when Jehovah enthrones Jesus.<br />
[<em>Page 171, paragraph 2</em>]<br />
Additionally, led to "third woe" highlights at <span style="color: red;">July 30 - August 6, 1928 convention</span> in Detroit, Michigan.<br />
[<em>Page 172, paragraph 5</em>]<br />
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Conclusively then, if the above is "the truth", it appears Jesus and John got their angelic trumpeting sequence of events out of order towards the end of the blasts. Nonetheless, it all aligned to advertise some conventions of a group of bible students who would later take on the name of "Jehovah's Witnesses".<br />
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The name of those bible students was picked by the second president of the company, J.F. Rutherford, who believed and preached the prophets of old would rise from the grave in 1925 and live in a mansion he had built for them. Meanwhile, he lived in that mansion - calling it Beth Sarim, located in San Diego, California. Furthermore, he purchased a big fancy automobile to drive the prophets around in after they rose from the dead, but used it for himself in the meantime.<br />
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Think about it. Supposedly, <strong><span style="color: red;">prophetic trumpet blasts written about thousands of years ago</span></strong> in which is arguably the most sacred and highly revered book of all time by many - The Holy Bible - were blown out of order by angels, but <strong><span style="color: red;">ultimately performed to announce convention events of a publishing company</span></strong> whose president and spiritual leader was involved with and preached about what is mentioned in the previous paragraph.<br />
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This is official doctrine, teaching, and beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4284472707049770392.post-46618894386664304302012-05-18T14:43:00.000-04:002012-05-19T06:26:56.769-04:00Warwick CertaintyThe Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses know for a certainty that God:<br />
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-Does <strong><span style="color: red;">not</span></strong> want you to have even the slightest communication with ex-members, regardless if they are family [<strong>Watchtower, April 15, 2012, page 12</strong>].<br />
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-Gives individuals<strong><span style="color: red;"> no</span></strong> salvation or true joy outside their organization [<strong>Watchtower, September 15, 1993, page 22</strong>].<br />
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-Discourages and rather you <strong><span style="color: red;">not</span></strong> pursue a college education [<strong>Kingdom Ministry, October 2011</strong>].<br />
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-Did <span style="color: red;"><strong>not</strong></span> provide Jesus Christ as a mediator for all mankind [<strong>Worldwide Security Under the 'Prince of Peace', page 10, paragraph 16</strong>].<br />
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-Wants people, including children and babies to <strong><span style="color: red;">not</span></strong> receive life-saving blood transfusions [<strong>Watchtower, June 15, 2000, pages 29-31</strong>].<br />
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However, the Governing Body admits:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyDrRkvHRmTk62LzXmgafAXUHC0iO5IZD-fKvdWBx826GrwG_ZOU0OlzNtrgInHQnPCmseALvj6maRhyr_gPZU4oeab5KxLsput_H_XO7p55fiAfIai6608p7OP4wxW3Ot8_SzUo_9NWJ/s1600/Warwick1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyDrRkvHRmTk62LzXmgafAXUHC0iO5IZD-fKvdWBx826GrwG_ZOU0OlzNtrgInHQnPCmseALvj6maRhyr_gPZU4oeab5KxLsput_H_XO7p55fiAfIai6608p7OP4wxW3Ot8_SzUo_9NWJ/s320/Warwick1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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"<em>Although <strong><span style="color: red;">we are not yet certain of Jehovah’s will</span></strong> regarding Warwick...<strong><span style="color: red;">We are proceeding</span></strong> to develop the site with the intention of relocating the world headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses there</em>." </div>
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[<strong>Governing Body member, Guy H. Pierce - Watchtower, August 15, 2012, page 17</strong>].</div>
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Here is a glance of it:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSsyjzZQlREWwJAnu9gu3LBta4YY-NpqvODuRIloKtRg1c3cNr6b7dHPip8KjBUq2xhbdbQBLO5XJV9qHuyXCo1IQNbhXHZIXSZ-675NP2BbK4Yi2AGUH9WDjcYF9kmT3uIl_Bf4P67KlL/s1600/Warwick3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSsyjzZQlREWwJAnu9gu3LBta4YY-NpqvODuRIloKtRg1c3cNr6b7dHPip8KjBUq2xhbdbQBLO5XJV9qHuyXCo1IQNbhXHZIXSZ-675NP2BbK4Yi2AGUH9WDjcYF9kmT3uIl_Bf4P67KlL/s400/Warwick3.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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The above lush, brand-new headquarters housing the Governing Body, the World Headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses, the 'capital' so to speak of the Watchtower Bible Tract Society, will be built and lived upon. <span style="color: red;">The Watchtower Society will proceed, despite not being certain of Jehovah's will and spend millions upon millions of dollars.</span><br />
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Remember, they are certain: You should shun your family, not go to college, but pursue whatever 'spiritual' goals they set in their organization, refuse blood transfusions, Jesus is not your mediator, and there is no true joy or salvation for you outside their organization.<br />
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Nevertheless, what of the Great Tribulation? Armageddon is right around the corner, is it not? The Governing Body has an answer to that. Again, Governing Body member Guy Pierce states in the same referenced journal: <br />
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<img border="0" height="68" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2O1__AD5nIKd4oaCcg2Y6Jop_7dIyUqSr855LqkAYnjynE1GcAzJFqj1fKLaFJp2K0GSDkkn6mOb2iSeMnz4egd-47Ihzb9n6gY-vuOv_bma44miVkv1cd06SNAA3xozBuryR4TzszcFw/s320/Warwick2.png" width="320" /></div>
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<em>"If the great tribulation<strong><span style="color: red;"> interrupts our plans</span></strong>, that will be wonderful, absolutely wonderful!"</em></div>
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Not certain of Jehovah's will for the headquarters of the supposedly only true organization serving him, and having plans interrupted by the Great Tribulation. This comes from Jehovah's only channel of communication that provides the "greatly diversified wisdom of God" [<strong>Watchtower, October 1, 1994, page 8</strong>]. Does that make sense?<br />
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Meanwhile, the 7 million plus members, admonished not to go to college, don't look to improve your life unless in harmony with what the Watchtower Society approves, just serve the organization and obey what they tell you. The Governing Body has everything covered and planned for you, even more so for them.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com