Saved From The Watchtower

Hypocritical Arrangement

2011-09-14T11:26:00.011-04:00

Having an arguably unequivocal history of bashing and outright slandering of other religions and other religious organizations, with an intent of showing how evil and wicked or misleading those organizations are to people, the following articles are no exception:

Awake! December 8, 1973 issue on page 29, under ‘Watching the World’:

“Church Money

Some religious organizations are going to new ends to acquire money. The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Buffalo, New York, now accepts credit cards, not just cash donations. One finance committee member says: “A church can’t survive on 50-cent [cash] donations.” Credit-card donations are up to $30. Admission is now being charged visitors to London’s thirteenth-century Salisbury Cathedral. A London Observer article calls this “a last-ditch attempt to find a way of meeting the desperate need for funds.””

Watchtower November 1, 1975 issue on page 651, under ‘Insight on the News’:

“Pray Now, Pay Later

The phrase “pray now, pay later” appeared in a headline of the Philadelphia “Inquirer” in reporting on a church experiment due to go into effect shortly. A group of ten U.S. religions, including some major Lutheran, Episcopal, Methodist and Baptist denominations, have decided to try church collections by credit card. The experiment, sponsored by the National Council of Churches, will encourage participating church members to authorize credit-card transfers of a specified contribution to their church each month. The idea, a Council spokesman says, is that “this will provide the local church with regular income whether or not the local congregation is in attendance,” especially in “off-seasons,” like summer vacation time. The report on the experiment says that those joining the program will be “giving unto business what belongs to business—a profit.” How so? “Participating banks will charge 65 cents a transaction, and the credit card companies will take off 3 percent of every donation.” Obviously someone benefits, but how much spiritual benefit is the modern churchgoer getting?

Awake! August 8, 2003 issue on page 29, under ‘Watching the World’:

Plastic Card Donations

“A growing number of Canadian churches” are adopting “modern banking practices, introducing bank cards and credit cards as convenient ways for parishioners to make collection-plate donations,” says the Vancouver Sun newspaper. Debit machines have been placed in church halls along with “donation envelopes with options for automatic account withdrawal and credit card payment.” Individuals simply swipe their card, key in the amount they wish to donate, and then put a copy of the receipt in the collection plate. As one pastor stated: “A cashless society is where society is going. Why not the church?” A church treasurer joked: “You get air-miles on your card, plus you go to heaven for donations. Just think of it as double reward points.”

Some may see the Watchtower Society being completely in the right and justified in pointing out what can be perceived as the obvious. Money comes first for those religious organizations that install debit/credit machines. The financial well-being of the members is not important, just as long as that religious organization obtains funding the most important goal is being met.

What we really have is not only the bashing and the passive aggressive style of the Watchtower Society shining through once again, but the reaching of all-new levels of hypocrisy.

The following letter dated August 25, 2011 has been sent and read to all congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses in the United States:

"TO ALL CONGREGATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES

Re: Donations at circuit events by debit or credit card

Dear Brothers:

At Deuteronomy 16:15, Jehovah commanded those celebrating the festival of booths: “You must become nothing but joyful.” Similarly, circuit assemblies and special assembly days are always joyous occasions because of Jehovah’s abundant blessing. In view of this, many show appreciation by making voluntary contributions at the assembly.

As in previous years, voluntary contributions can be placed in the contribution boxes either in cash or by check made payable to the circuit. However, a new arrangement for making donations by debit or credit card has been approved for congregations that hold their circuit events in Assembly Halls. Locations for making debit or credit card donations will be announced at the assembly.

We pray Jehovah’s rich blessing on your preparations to attend the circuit assembly and special assembly day programs for the 2012 service year.

Your brothers,

Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses"

Unsurprisingly, the Watchtower Society has hypocritically went forth to have machines installed to process credit/debit cards of members. The organization is trying to ensure it receives donations, regardless of the consequences to publishers who will be ‘inclined’ to donate despite their financial circumstances.

In fairness, let's view possible supporting ideas of the arrangement:

-Don’t have cash on hand to drop in the ‘voluntary’ contribution boxes? No problem. Just swipe your credit card! Jehovah will be pleased. It shows your loyalty and devotion to him and his organization. Your sacrifice, support and ultimate praise to Jehovah will be rewarded!

-Has that emotional…”encouraging” talk at the assembly stirred you to action and you don’t have money on hand to drop towards ‘Jehovah’s’ organization? Just swipe that card!

-Contribute with credit now! The end is just around the corner…Don’t worry about the bills or years of debt…This system will be long gone soon but you will have stored up 'treasure in heaven'.

-Can you not afford to donate by credit card to the Worldwide Work at this time of the end?

-Satan’s system would have you believe you cannot afford to donate by credit card. Don’t let that discourage you! Donate and run the race for life with endurance to the end.

Knowing how the Watchtower Society twist scripture to fit their purposes at times, they could even try something like this…

All true Christians should be able to rightly claim “we have no credit to ourselves.” – 1 Corinthians 8:8.

Bash other religions, call them evil, of Satan’s system or whatever else, but as soon as the Watchtower Society implements or practices the same, Jehovah’s Witnesses are a blessed people with a loving arrangement.

Truth is Jehovah’s Witnesses are a victimized, brain-washed people, inside a hypocritical organization. The organization will continue to show its true colors with the passing of time. The book and magazine publishing company at its foundation has moved to real estate for money and outright, unapologetic taking of funds. It’s hungering to survive and trying to hold back the curtain.

However, the members need to look behind the curtain and see what is really going on around them. What the Watchtower blatantly stated of other religious organizations can easily and evidently be applied to them:

“…a last-ditch attempt to find a way of meeting the desperate need for funds.”

“…giving unto business what belongs to business—a profit.”

“Obviously someone benefits, but how much spiritual benefit is the modern [kingdom hall] goer getting?”

“You get air-miles on your card, plus you [survive Armageddon] for donations. Just think of it as double reward points.”

Hypocrisy, money and greed...Welcome to the Watchtower Society, the organization behind, running and controlling, Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Ignorance Is Bliss

2011-08-31T09:40:00.006-04:00

The October 2011 Kingdom Ministry, under the article "Are You Learning All You Can From Jehovah?" poses the following question in paragraph 4:

"Are we encouraging young ones, who are often steered by school teachers and others to pursue the world's higher education, to set spiritual goals instead and pursue the highest education-divine education?"

Note: "...spiritual goals..." = Goals set by the Watch Tower Bible Tract Society that involves their interpretation, application, and perceived implication of biblical verses per their translation of the Bible.

The organization indoctrinates members towards “encouraging” children essentially to follow what the Watchtower says they should have as goals. In effect, do whatever the organization tells you to do.

Nonetheless, this is one of numerous occasions the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses is discouraged from pursuing education. Take another example, from the Awake! May 22, 1969 issue page 15:

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

Therefore, as a young person, you will never fulfill any career that this system offers. If you are in high school and thinking about a college education, it means at least four, perhaps even six or right more years to graduate into a specialized career. But where will this system of things be by that time. It will be well on the way towards its finish, if not actually gone!"

Over 40 years ago the Watchtower Society claimed young people will never grow old and never fulfill any career 'this system' offers.

Some things never change and ignorance is bliss. The Watchtower Society still discourages and does not want young ones to pursue education. The organization loves information control, and pursing education aids in breaking that control.

Knowledge is power, and an uneducated people are easier to control. Educate yourself and empower yourself, don't fall prey to a few men running and enforcing their interpretation of a so-called Christian life.

Practicing And Preaching

2011-07-19T15:39:00.001-04:00

The July 2009 Awake! magazine on page 29 states the following:

"No one should be forced to worship in a way that he finds unacceptable or be made to choose between his belief and his family."

Jehovah's Witnesses, including their spiritual leaders and publishers who canvass areas with the Watchtower Bible Tract Society’s printed Watchtower and Awake! magazines should be practicing what they preach. Anything less is hypocritical.

Organization Translation

2011-06-24T16:24:00.005-04:00

In the Branch Organization manual, February 2003 revised edition, the following is noted regarding Bible translating in chapter 25, page notation 25-5, point 46:

Notice what the Society bolded to stand out in their directives:

It is not necessary for Bible translators to know Hebrew and Greek.

The interesting and sadly obvious reason is if the translator did know the Hebrew and Greek languages, they would come to the realization that there are several places in the New World Translation that have been altered by the Watchtower Society to fit their specific doctrine.

It would be silly to have qualified translators who actually understand the language they are supposed to be ‘translating’, right?

An alternative explanation is they may utilize the faulty and falsely translated English edition of the New World Translation as the basis, instead of referring to the original Hebrew and Greek text.

Additionally, it is a proven fact that the Watchtower Society cited and referred to the Bible translation of Johannes Greber, who had heavy ties and involvement with the occult, in support of their translation of the Bible. The Watchtower Society would later lie about the facts and try to brush aside the matter.

Furthermore, the Watchtower Society states that the translators do not have to be the ones with the most experience, but only that they are "good" and "both faithful and willing to follow directions closely". It reeks of the organization taking precedent over real truth.

For instance, if a translator was posed with a moral dilemma of either being accurate with the translation or obeying the Watchtower Society's Writing Department's directives, the translator should do what they're told by the Watchtower Society.

The organization always comes first, even above an accurate translation of the Bible.

Remembering Harold Camping

2011-06-08T11:30:00.005-04:00

By now it's hard to come across anyone with access to news media that has not heard of Harold Camping and Family Radio Worldwide. His bold prediction of a rapture to occur on May 21, 2011, did not pan out per his eager expectation and prediction. Naturally, he has an excuse - It was invisible.

Nonetheless, this is not the first time Harold Camping made such a prophecy.

Notice these statements:

"After 1925 expect shortly Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob.. No doubt many boys and girls who read this book will live to see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Daniel, and those other men of old come forth in the glory of their better resurrection, of perfect in mind and body. It will not take long for Christ to appoint them to their post of honor and authority as his earthly representatives. The world and all the present conveniences will seem strange to them at first, but they will soon become accustomed to the new methods. They may have some amusing experiences at first; for they never saw telephones, radios, automobiles, electric lights, aeroplanes, steam engines, and many other things so familiar to us."

Whoops...That was not Harold Camping, but the man God was using to lead his people back in 1924, according to the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses. Joseph Rutherford, the Watchtower Society's second president, who at the time was *the* faithful slave, providing spiritual food to God's only channel on the earth. The quote can be found in the publication, "The Way To Paradise" - published in 1924, on pages 224-6.

Remember, in 1924 you were to "expect shortly" after 1925, the ancient prophets and other men of the Bible to be resurrected!

What Harold Camping really proclaimed is the following:

"If you are a young person, you also need to face the fact that you will never grow old in this present system of things. Why not? Because all the evidence in fulfillment of Bible prophecy indicates that this corrupt system is due to end in a few years."

No wait, that was from the Governing Body endorsed mouthpiece of God's faithful and discreet slave class per Jehovah's Witnesses. Not Harold Camping but the leaders of Jehovah's Witnesses in the May 22, 1969 Awake! magazine, page 15 where such prophecy and "good news" was found.

Remember, in 1969 you would never grow old as a young person as the "corrupt system is due to end in a few years"!

This quote, definitely was Harold Camping:

"Reports are heard of brothers selling their homes and property and planning to finish out the rest of their days in this old system in the pioneer service. Certainly this is a fine way to spend the short time remaining before the wicked world's end."

Wow, sorry...It looks like that was the Governing Body mouthpiece of the Faithful and Discreet Slave again. Jehovah's Witnesses spiritual food found in the May 1974 Kingdom Ministry, page 3.

Remember, in 1974 selling your home and property was encouraged and commended because the rest of the days left could be spent preaching "the wicked world's end"!

Finally, we have found another prediction by Harold Camping:

"The apostle Paul was spearheading the Christian missionary activity. He was also laying a foundation for a work that would be completed in our 20th century."

Yikes, that was again the leaders of Jehovah's Witnesses in the Watchtower magazine, this time January 1, 1989 on page 12. That little prophecy was so embarrassingly recent that you need the original magazine to find it. The Watchtower Society changed the quote in their publish Bound Volume and CD-ROM of the Watchtower, where "20th century" was changed to "day"; a very obvious cover up.

Remember, in 2000 or earlier, before January 1, 2001 the preaching work should have ended!

Harold Camping, spiritual leader of Family Radio Worldwide and the Governing Body of the Watchtower Society, spiritual leader of Jehovah's Witnesses…It really is hard to tell the two apart, so very similar. It makes you wonder what the similarities are between their followers as well.

A Matter Of Trust

2011-05-16T09:50:00.007-04:00

Taken from the March 15, 2011, Watchtower, pages 12-16, this past Sunday's study article for Jehovah's Witnesses, "Trust In Jehovah As the End Draws Near", does not take long in providing the intellectual dishonesty typically found within the Watchtower Bible Tract Society publications.

Straight out of the gate, in paragraph 1, the following is stated:

"WE LIVE in a world where millions no longer know whom or what to trust, perhaps because they have been hurt or disappointed too many times. What a contrast to Jehovah’s servants! Guided by godly wisdom, they know better than to place their trust in this world or its “nobles.” (Ps. 146:3) Rather, they place their lives and their future in Jehovah’s hands, knowing that he loves them and that he always fulfills his Word. —Rom. 3:4; 8:38, 39."

The section highlighted in red is what we will briefly focus on. The statement: "Guided by godly wisdom, they know better than to place their trust in this world or its “nobles.”". The organization then goes to quote Psalms 146:3 as the supporting scripture to that statement.

Let's take a look at Psalms 146:3 - even taken from the Watchtower Society's version of the Bible, The New World Translation:

"Do not put YOUR trust in nobles, Nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs."

Indeed, the verse does mention not to put your trust in nobles. However, the Watchtower Society is conveniently avoiding and hypocritically goes against the rest of the verse. A person should also not put their trust "in the son of earthling man". This would include the men making up the governing body of Jehovah's Witnesses. As the verse finishes, "to whom no salvation belongs."

Going against the Bible - even their own 'trusted' translation, the Watchtower Bible Tract Society has made these remarks from their ""Bearing Thorough Witness" About God's Kingdom" publication, in chapter 13, on page 103 paragraph 9, under the heading "There Had Occurred No Little Dissension":

"When serious issues arise today, let us imitate the fine example of the believers in Antioch by trusting God’s organization and its Governing Body of anointed Christians, who represent “the faithful and discreet slave.”

Additionally, the February 15, 2009, Watchtower on page 27, in paragraph 11 states:

"Since Jehovah God and Jesus Christ completely trust the faithful and discreet slave, should we not do the same?"

The above is just a couple of many examples, where Jehovah's Witnesses are encouraged, admonished and even informed their very life, their eternal life is dependent upon their trust as well as loyalty to the organization, especially its governing body. The Watchtower Society is so brazan and haughty that it claims even Jehovah and Jesus completely trust their governing body.

If the Watchtower was being truly honest in its writings and the well understood teachings and principles of Jehovah's Witnesses, paragraph 1 from Sunday's study article would read more like this:

"WE LIVE in a world where millions no longer know whom or what to trust, perhaps because they have been hurt or disappointed too many times. What a contrast to Jehovah’s servants! Guided by godly wisdom as interpreted by the governing body of the Watchtower Bible Tract Society, they know better than to place their trust in this world or its “nobles.” They do trust the men making up the Governing Body though, and refuse to be disobedient. Rather, they place their lives and their future in the organization that claims to be the only one directed by Jehovah’s hands, knowing that he loves them and that he always fulfills his Word."

The above would be a more honest statement to what exactly is instilled into the reasoning and practices of the organization. The article would be more appropriately entitled:

"Trust In Us As The End Draws Near”

Or...

"Trust In The Governing Body As The End Draws Near"

Or even...

"Trust In What The Governing Body Says Comes From Jehovah As the End Draws Near"

Believing the intent or the notion that complete trust in Jehovah and not as the scripture states, "the sons of earthling man" is what the Watchtower Bible Tract Society wants is foolish. They want you to trust them and their governing body. Listen, apply and obey all they say and write...Especially from their prime indoctrinating journal, The Watchtower.

The Generation That Will Not Pass Away

2011-05-05T11:09:00.005-04:00

The history of teachings from the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses contain many false prophecies. What we have below is a sterling example:

The Watchtower snapshot cover above has been modified to include the name as well as birth year and death of those whose hope was probably to never die in this so-called "system of things".

The notion of stating the generation will not pass away is reminiscent of Genesis 3:4:

"At this the serpent said to the woman: “YOU positively will not die"".

The verse is similar to the prophecy regarding the genereration alive in 1914 that the Watchtower Society claimed God promised. That promise was declared inside the Awake! magazine cover all the way through the October 22, 1995 edition. It was finally changed in the November 8, 1995 issue of the journel:

Quote: "Most important, this magazine builds confidence in the Creator's promise of a peaceful and secure new world before the generation that saw the events of 1914 passes away."

The Watchtower Society continues to hold carrots out to Jehovah's Witnesses down to this day. It's a way to control, manipulate, and keep their members in check.

Recognizing And Avoiding

2011-04-15T08:49:00.007-04:00

Is it a cult?

The Top Ten Signs the 'Group' You've Joined is Not What it Seems:

• The leader and group are always correct and anything the leader does can be justified.

• Questions, suggestions, or critical inquiry are forbidden.

• Members incessantly scramble with cramped schedules and activities full of largely meaningless work based on the leader's agenda

• Followers are meant to believe that they are never good enough.

• Required dependency upon the leader and group for even the most basic problem-solving.

• Reporting on members for disobedient actions or thoughts is mandated and rewarded.

• Monetary, sexual, or servile labor is expected to gain promotion.

• The 'outside' world -- often including family and friends -- is presented as rife with impending catastrophe, evil, and temptations.

• Recruitment of new members is designed to be purposefully upbeat and vague about the actual operations of the leader and group.

• Former members are shunned and perceived as hostile.

If curious about what the Watchtower Society tries and often successfully accomplishes, the above sums it up nicely for many of the 7 million members. Make no mistake about it, the Watchtower Bible Tract Society hits nearly every tick box with scary accuracy. Knowledge is power and key.

Credit and thanks to:

What Is A Cult? Recognizing And Avoiding Unhealthy Groups

Click here to read the entire article.

Trust And Beyond

2011-03-25T13:16:00.005-04:00

It is written in the Bible at Psalms 143:6:

"Do not put YOUR trust in nobles, Nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs."

However, the February 15, 2009, Watchtower on page 27, in paragraph 11, it admonishes:

"Since Jehovah God and Jesus Christ completely trust the faithful and discreet slave, should we not do the same? After all, the slave has shown itself to be faithful in doing its assigned work."

Do Jehovah God and Jesus Christ "completely trust", "the sons of earthling man", or is the Watchtower Society both lying and providing directives that go against the scriptures?

Additionally, the Bible provides the following instructions in 1 Corinthians 4:6:

"Now, brothers, these things I have transferred so as to apply to myself and Apol′los for YOUR good, that in our case YOU may learn the [rule]: “Do not go beyond the things that are written,” in order that YOU may not be puffed up individually in favor of the one against the other."

What application are Jehovah's Witnesses provided in harmony with the above verse? The April 15, 2008, Watchtower on page 7 states the following:

"When it comes to valueless words, elders too learn an important lesson. Whenever they are called upon to give counsel, they bear in mind their limitations and do not presume to offer counsel solely from their own personal store of knowledge. They should always point to what the Bible says. A sound rule is found in the words of the apostle Paul: “Do not go beyond the things that are written.” (1 Cor. 4:6) Elders do not go beyond the things that are written in the Bible. And by extension, they do not go beyond the Bible-based counsel written in the publications of the faithful and discreet slave."

Essentially, the instruction from the organization are for Elders to not go beyond what is written in the Bible, but the faithful and discreet slave can and does go beyond what is written. Elders should follow what the Bible states and through the Watchtower's interpretation of a so-called "extension" follow what their faithful and discreet slave direct.

Again, the Bible is clear in its statement, but the Watchtower Society brandishes its unique spin on the matter which is in fact going contrary to the Bible; indeed, going "beyond the things that are written".

The motivation and reasoning for both points is obvious. The Watchtower Society wants Jehovah Witnesses to feel, think, and believe that they are the ones with a so-called 'truth' which needs to be followed. This is despite their indoctrination going against what the Bible plainly provides should be avoided and not performed. It includes following and applying everything in their publications, especially the Watchtower magazine.

A primary way the organization wields its power and control over its members effectively is by having the person's trust and the ability for them to obey and carry-out whatever instructions the leaders provide. The Bible highlights the wrong, but the organization does it anyway, twisting scripture while reinforcing loyalty and allegiance to them.

Nothing supersedes the Watchtower Society and its directives; not friends, not family, not love, and not the Bible. The organization always comes first.

The Perfect Leader

2011-03-08T11:00:00.008-05:00

The May 15, 2011, Watchtower emphasizes who Jehovah's Witnesses are instructed to follow. While the section under discussion falls within the article entitled, "Following Christ, the Perfect Leader", make no mistake about it; the Watchtower Society is once again brow beating submission and obedience of its leaders.

Note the bottom of the first column continuing over to the second on page 27:

""The path of the righteous one is like the bright light that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established," states Proverbs 4:18. Yes, Jesus' leadership is progressive, not stagnant. Another way to cooperate with Christ's "brothers" is to have a positive attitude toward any refinements in our understanding of Scriptural truths as published by "the faithful and discreet slave."--Matt. 24:45

We also demonstrate our submission to Christ's "brothers" by cooperating with the appointed overseers in the Christian congregation. The apostle Paul said: "Be obedient to those who are taking the lead among you and be submissive, for they are keeping watch over your souls." (Heb. 13:17)"

The Watchtower Society in the above quoted section, helps to exemplify how one can cherry pick certain verses from the bible and place their own spin or interpretation for it to mean something more than what the context provides.

For decades now, the Watchtower Bible Tract Society has loved utilizing Proverbs 4:18 to help justify and explain away their false prophesies and flip-flops in doctrine. When an individual reads Proverbs chapter 4 in its entirety, it is plain to see it refers to a father giving advice to his son respecting life. There is no intent or greater fulfillment of a modern day publishing company's justification or explanation of their changing or correcting doctrine. However, the members of Jehovah's Witnesses by far and wide believe it to be so, thanks in part to the indoctrination they receive via the Watchtower.

So, with a supposed 'scriptural backing', the organization pushes further its agenda and brings Jesus into the picture. It has placed the believer in the fortified Watchtower led position of whatever the organization is currently directing is biblical. This is and has been often referred to by the organization and its members as 'current truth' or 'new light'. The extra twist is the perception that this 'current truth' is the direction of Jesus not men.

Nonetheless, the true motive and deliverance of point from the section comes with the final statement of the paragraph; which is to have a positive attitude to whatever the Watchtower says in its publications. They coat it with their typical twist on Matthew 24:45, where the organization interprets Jesus illustration of a faithful and discreet slave, equating to a business derived term of 'governing body', specifically the men who control and manage the beliefs and doctrines of the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses today.

What the organization fails to do and reasonably explain is how that one verse and one part of one of Jesus' illustrations and parables has a modern day fulfillment, while others do not. Who decides which ones and which parts have a modern day or 'greater' fulfillment, and which ones are just illustrations or parables with no additional meaning outside of a lesson being taught or a teaching point emphasized? The fact of the matter is that many of the Watchtower Society’s teachings and beliefs are based upon picking and choosing selective verses and deciding what, if any, modern day application they want to make of it.

Hysterically enough, it was just a few months ago in the September 15, 2010, Watchtower within the article "Your Leader Is One, The Christ", where the Society makes the fictitious claim that: "Jehovah's Witnesses recognize no human as their leader".

However, in the next paragraph from the May 15, 2011 article, a person demonstrates their submission by cooperating with those who oversee and lead Kingdom Halls of Jehovah's Witnesses, which Jehovah's Witnesses believe to be the "Christian congregation", followed up with quoting Hebrews 13:17 which mentions those who take the lead.

So let's summarize the spiritual truths and wholesome spiritual food Jehovah's Witnesses are being served here:

1. The Bible justifies and explains the Watchtower's flip-flops in doctrine, false teachings, including some at times, complete changes and understanding of belief for Jehovah's Witnesses.

2. The 'changes' by the Watchtower Society are just like Jesus' leadership, "progressive" [The Watchtower is never wrong or lied]. Further, if there were no 'changes' we would all be stagnant and not like Jesus.

3. Following Jesus includes not only following and obeying any direction given by the Watchtower Society and its leaders, but being positive about it as well.

4. One should be obedient, submissive, and cooperative to the organization.

The above are main points and intents of the article. Throwing Jesus around and into the mix is done to reinforce their alleged authority and right the organization has to practice and teach whatever it decides to the members. The Watchtower Society is enforcing both its power and control over the members, and quite frankly, it works. Cults work. Really effective cults build a perfect leader in the mind of its members.

The leader of Jehovah's Witnesses, their 'Faithful and Discreet Slave', the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses, while understood to be made up of men who make mistakes, the point is moot, as they can say and teach whatever, and it forges and becomes the beliefs of the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses, made up of 7 million plus followers. The men who make up that body, for all intents and purposes are "perfect" for what matters most here, their (current) teachings, doctrines, and beliefs.

What the leaders of Jehovah's Witnesses teach, mostly through the Watchtower, becomes fact and unquestionable in the minds of the members; regardless of change and understanding. Such teachings and beliefs as: organ transplants, specific resurrections, superior authorities, rape, blood fractions/transfusions, voting, separating "sheep" and "goats", and the ever popular and ever changing, "this generation", along with others, have underwent changes, some being a complete 180 degree change in belief, which the majority of the members accept.

That is reason alone for why family and friends can carry out such inhumane directives as shunning as well as isolating associations and ties from the rest of humankind, while fortifying the bounds amongst themselves. It has taking place throughout the history of man and Jehovah's Witnesses are carrying on the tradition…The tradition of following a perfect leader.

Like The Demons

2011-02-09T11:43:00.017-05:00

Recently, the Watchtower Society has in a not so subtle way attempt to indoctrinate Jehovah's Witnesses with the understanding of those who have either disassociated themselves or were disfellowshipped from their organization are like the demons. How did they do this?

The study article "Do You Hate Lawlessness?" starting on page 28 of the February 15, 2011, Watchtower magazine is the avenue used by the Society to channel this kind of thinking.

Focusing later in the article, specifically paragraph 16, the Watchtower Society paints a picture for the reader of a sister in the congregation whose son had "unrepentantly chose to practice lawlessness". The article continues in paragraphs 17 and 18 stating the following:

"What advice would you have given this sister? An elder helped her to realize that Jehovah understood the pain she felt. The brother invited her to think about the pain Jehovah must have experienced when some of his angelic sons rebelled. The elder reasoned with her that even though Jehovah knows how painful such a circumstance can be, he requires that unrepentant sinners be disfellowshipped. She took the reminders to heart and loyally upheld the disfellowshipping arrangement. Such loyalty makes Jehovah's heart glad.

If you face a similar situation, please remember that Jehovah sympathizes with you. By cutting off contact with the disfellowshipped or disassociated one, you are showing that you hate the attitudes and actions that led to that outcome. However, you are also showing that you love the wrongdoer enough to do what is best for him or her. Your loyalty to Jehovah may increase the likelihood that the disciplined one will repent and return to Jehovah."

There's a lot of twisted and subliminal messaging going on throughout these two paragraphs (to say the least about the entire article), but we're going to focus on a few key points.

Notice the use of the illustration of Jehovah's angelic sons who rebelled in paragraph 17. They are known to the members as being now called demons who follow and are led by Satan. The writer has planted the analogy of the "unrepentant sinner" to be the equivalent of the demons. The paragraph of course links an unrepentant sinner as one who was disfellowshipped from their organization.

Paragraph 17 tightens the grip of loyalty to the organization by admonishing the member to follow a so-called "disfellowshipping arrangement". Obedience to the leaders is furthered with the ingrained notion and implication that loyalty to the Watchtower Society's instructions and rules makes God's heart glad, ending the paragraph.

Nevertheless, the Watchtower Society is not through making their points and tightening their control. In the next paragraph, 18, they first play the emotional card with an empathetic "Jehovah sympathizes" remark. Then, they lay the heavy "cutting off contact" directive while bridging both a disfellowshipped individual as well as a disassociated person in the same sentence.

What "lawless" or "unrepentant" sin would a disassociated individual be guilty of? In many instances, that would be disagreeing with Watchtower Society leaders and/or interpretations. You cannot question or challenge their so-called 'faithful and discreet slave class'. They don't state that though; as the old saying goes, 'the devil is in the details'. Nonetheless, the harsh directive is followed up with further emotional manipulation that it is actually an act of love to cut off contact with a loved one.

Finally, the writer dangles a carrot at the end of paragraph 18. A notion is instilled to the member that if they follow all they've been told by the Watchtower Society - "loyalty to Jehovah" - it will likely increase the chance of a person coming back to the organization. The actuality of the statement is: If you behave according to our directives, you may find yourself in a situation where you can speak to your family again with the organization's (Or better believed by the member as being 'God's') approval.

Behavioral control and emotional manipulation with a twisted and sick thought control process respecting the instructions and interpretations of the Watchtower Society are what God desires and it demonstrates love. Does that make sense?

One of the main intents is to ensure membership and have information control that a current member will not discuss or receive anything in word or writing that may cause a Jehovah's Witness to think or take action against the Watchtower Society.

When you have an organization enforcing: Behavioral control, Information control, Thought control, and Emotional manipulation...you have the B.I.T.E. model, and you have a cult.

Cults love for you to believe their leaders are the only chosen ones, they have the only and true channel to God, and everyone else is evil, wicked, or of the devil. This is exemplified in the case of Jehovah's Witnesses, where disfellowshipped and disassociated persons from their organization are painted as being like the demons, and contact with them should be cut off.

The ONLY Religion Teaching The Truth

2011-01-18T10:37:00.001-05:00

The statement that ONLY Jehovah's Witnesses are teaching the truth is an extraordinary claim. Such a claim would require extraordinary evidence. I firmly believed that ONLY Jehovah's Witnesses are teaching the truth, and thus in general, only Jehovah's Witnesses would be saved at Armageddon. In my self-confidence, I had failed to consider sobering truths:

• There are over 10,000 religions in the world.

• When given a pen and paper, I could not identify the correct names of even 50 religions.

• I couldn't explain the complete belief system of any other religion in the world, other than Jehovah's Witnesses.

• For the thousands of religions of which I knew nothing about, not even it's name - how could I possibly classify that religion as false?

• The idea of a "one and only true religion" was suggested to me by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, not the Bible.

• Other groups that teach their religion is the only church which teaches "the truth" include the following: Mormons, Worldwide Church of God, Unification Church, and many others. Members of these other groups are taught to detest all other religions. Members are taught that all other religions are false, and under the control of Satan. These members are taught that God will only save their church.

• I was proclaiming other religions as promoters of lies and false prophecies, when in fact my own religion had likely promoted more false prophecies than any other church in the world. Every time a prophecy was created by Watchtower Society leaders, it was printed in millions of books, and Witnesses spent over a billion hours each year distributing these books and teaching these false prophecies.

• I believed that other religions were blood guilty for teaching lies and false doctrines. I had failed to consider how God views my religion, which had aggressively spread more false information than any other religion, insisting that people must accept it or else be destroyed by God.

• I was forbidden by the organization to read literature produced by any other religion. How could I ever accurately know what other religions taught? Many of the senior members who write the Watchtower magazine have been Jehovah's Witnesses their entire lives, thus they have never read other religious literature either. Therefore, there is no possible way that they can know the truth of whether other religions teach truth or lies.

• If other churches speak things that aren't true, I classified them as "Babylon the Great", false prophets, disgusting and blood guilty organizations, and deserving of God's wrath. When my religion spoke false prophecies and spread false information, I was supposed to consider it to be acceptable. It was simply "over eagerness" on the part of some brothers, or it was considered "old light".

Eventually, I had to admit that I was completely ignorant on the subject of religion. The only thing I knew about religion was information that I obtained from the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. And their stance was, and still is: "All other religions are false, and ours is the only true one". One thing that really helped me was when I discovered Deuteronomy 18: 21-22:

"And in case you should say in your heart: “How shall we know the word that Jehovah has not spoken?” When the prophet speaks in the name of Jehovah and the word does not occur or come true, that is the word that Jehovah did not speak. With presumptuousness the prophet spoke it. You must not get frightened at him.’"

I was delighted to find out that all those false prophecies I had spread to others had NOTHING to do with God. I was simply promoting the literature of a large religious organization based in Brooklyn. If God was behind this religion, all the prophecies and predictions would have been fulfilled, exactly as predicted. If God was not behind it, then all the prophecies would fail.

What does the evidence show? All the prophecies have failed.

The Lead Lie

2010-11-23T10:56:00.001-05:00

Jehovah's Witnesses were taught this past Sunday from the September 15, 2010, Watchtower study article found on pages 21-25, entitled, "Your Leader Is One, The Christ". Right out of the gate, paragraph 1 states:

"CHRISTENDOM’S churches have human leaders, such as the pope of Rome, the patriarchs and metropolitans of the Eastern Orthodox churches, and the heads of other religions. Jehovah’s Witnesses recognize no human as their leader. They are not disciples or followers of any man. This is in line with Jehovah’s prophetic utterance concerning his Son: “Look! As a witness to the national groups I have given him, as a leader and commander to the national groups.” (Isa. 55:4) The international congregation of anointed Christians and their “other sheep” companions want no leader other than the one Jehovah has given them. (John 10:16) They subscribe to Jesus’ statement: “Your Leader is one, the Christ.” —Matt. 23:10."

In typical Watchtower fashion, the organization bashes other religions while trying to convince the reader how different they are in the way they arrange and conduct themselves as a group. The claim that Jehovah's Witnesses recognize no human as their leader is at best a game of semantics, at worst a flat out lie.

The organization applies the following scriptures heavily:

Hebrews 13:7 - Remember those who are taking the lead among YOU, who have spoken the word of God to YOU, and as YOU contemplate how [their] conduct turns out imitate [their] faith.

Hebrews 13:17 - Be obedient to those who are taking the lead among YOU and be submissive, for they are keeping watch over YOUR souls as those who will render an account; that they may do this with joy and not with sighing, for this would be damaging to YOU.

Hebrews 13:24 - Give my greetings to all those who are taking the lead among YOU and to all the holy ones. Those in Italy send YOU their greetings.

The Watchtower Society utilizes its own interpretation and implementation of the above writings.

Below is the hierarchy and organizational structure/power found within the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses, starting with its top leaders down to the lowest title:

I. Governing Body

II. Traveling Overseers:

     A. Zone/Branch Overseers

     B. District Overseers

     C. Circuit Overseers

     D. City Overseers [Optional]

III. Congregations:

     A. Elders

          1. Coordinator of the Body of Elders (Previously called Presiding Overseer)

          2. Service Overseer

          3. Congregation Secretary

          4. Other roles [I.E. Watchtower Conductor]

     B. Ministerial Servants

     C. Baptized Publishers

     D. Unbaptized Publishers

     E. Students

     F. Associates

Note that the highest level a female within the organization can achieve is Baptized Publisher.

The chain of power and authority from least to greatest after that...

Ministerial Servant --> Elder --> [Optional] City Overseer --> Circuit Overseer --> District Overseer --> Zone/Branch Overseer --> Governing Body

...Can only be held by a male. Females do not hold such positions within the organization.

The emphasis and stress of leadership and being obedient to Jehovah's Witnesses human leaders is clear within even current Watchtower articles. For example:

Watchtower, January 15, 2008, page 26, paragraph 6:
"In a symbolic way, Christians with an earthly hope today walk behind the anointed slave class and its Governing Body, following their leadership."

Watchtower, May 15, 2008, page 29:
"The Head, Jesus Christ, supplies the body members with what is needed for good cooperation, coordination, and spiritual nourishment. (Eph. 4:15, 16; Col. 2:19) In such respects, the Governing Body is organized to take the lead as Jehovah directs them by holy spirit."

Watchtower, February 15, 2009, page 28, paragraph 17:
"The members of the Governing Body are experienced, spirit-anointed elders. They in particular can be described as “those who are taking the lead” among us. (Heb. 13:7)"

Watchtower, November 15, 2009, page 14, paragraph 5:
"We need to guard against developing a spirit of independence. By word or action, may we never challenge the channel of communication that Jehovah is using today. (Num. 16:1-3) On the contrary, we should cherish our privilege to cooperate with the slave class. And should we not strive to be obedient and submissive to those taking the lead in our local congregation?"

As for Jesus Christ, the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses states the majority of the members do not even have Jesus as their mediator:

"Likewise, the Greater Moses, Jesus Christ, is not the Mediator between Jehovah God and all mankind. He is the Mediator between his heavenly Father, Jehovah God, and the nation of spiritual Israel, which is limited to only 144,000 members.”

Straight from the Watchtower Society, Governing Body endorsed, publication studied and taught by Jehovah's Witnesses, "Worldwide Security Under the Prince of Peace". The above teaching came directly from page 10, paragraph 16.

Make no mistake about it, Jehovah's Witnesses have plenty of human leaders. Their publications can try to indoctrinate otherwise and play with semantics, but they are encouraging a game of lies and hypocrisy.

Sins of the Elders

2010-11-15T08:49:00.005-05:00

The new elder's manual, Shepherd the Flock of God, provided by the Watchtower Society, makes a few disturbing statements in just a couple of paragraphs. Notice what is highlighted on page 38, paragraphs 19 and 20, respecting the past sins of an elder:

Paragraph 19 states:

"If it comes to light or an appointed brother confesses that he has committed a disfellowshipping offense years in the past: The body of elders may determine he can continue to serve if the following is true: The immorality or other serious wrongdoing occurred more than a few years ago, and he is genuinely repentant, recognizing that he should have come forward immediately when he sinned. (Perhaps he has even confesses to his sin, seeking help with his guilty conscience.) He has been serving faithfully for many years, has evidence of God's blessing, and has the respect of the congregation."

So if an elder has a serious sin, one worthy of being disfellowshipped and does not mention it, waits some years, and then confesses; the congregation will never be the wiser, as long as the other elder's believe that elder is sincere in his relatively recent display of repentance and regret. It will be like the sin never occurred and the man would remain an elder over Jehovah's Witnesses. He can continue to serve as an elder - No consequences are experienced.

Surely, they must draw a line at something as detestable as child abuse, no? Paragraph 20 informs:

"If the sin occurred before he was appointed as an elder or a ministerial servant, the elders will need to take into consideration the fact that he should have mentioned this possible impediment to his being qualified when elders interviewed him just prior to announcing his appointment. Moreover, the nature of the sin may reflect greatly on his qualifications to serve. For example, the sin may involve past child abuse, and this would likely disqualify him for many years."

According to the organization, and the directives elder's are provided, a gross sin, one worthy of disfellowshipping, only serves as a possible impediment for the man to be appointed. In fact, the Watchtower Society states that even if it involved past child abuse it would only likely disqualify a man. It may reflect greatly on his qualifications to serve.

In fully understanding the consequence of this 'spiritual direction', let's paint a scenario.

A child abuser has been 'appointed' to an elder and has been one for many years. Finally, he comes forward and states he used to abuse children. The admonition is that he would likely be disqualified but not definitely as an elder; the same applies for any so-called brothers reaching out for ministerial servant or wanting to become an elder. Although abusing children in the past, but stating he has not done so for many years; that individual is not definitely disqualified or will never serve, only likely.

How would you like that individual to remain an elder? What if that elder is going door to door or whatever else with your child, brother, sister, niece, nephew, or any other family member? You'll never know, and there is nothing coming from the hierarchy of the organization stopping it. The so-called ‘appointment’ and keeping that man in such a position was made by a bunch of local men, who believe they are being guided by holy spirit with the nonsense spewed from the Watch Tower Bible Tract Society.

So keep that sin a secret, brothers! Wait several years, and in the meantime do works that prove how repentant you are and build a sterling reputation. Convince the congregation you are a fine character and an asset to the congregation. This will show "evidence" of "God's blessing" and you will likely be absolved of any consequence of that sin...Even past child abuse is possibly permissible...

Sickening to think the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses claims to be the only true religion composed of the only true Christians. It's more like a place where a devious and sneaky man's dream can come true. If you're a male, you just have to play the game.

Sisters and Shepherding

2010-11-02T15:08:00.007-04:00

The newly released 'Elder's only' manual 'Shepherding the Flock of God', has been followed up with a letter addressed to the Body of Elders, dated October 7, 2010. It highlights the respective view of women by the organization's leaders.

The letter states regarding having the book spiral bound:

"There is no objection if an elder personally spiral binds or laminates his own textbook or does so for elders. If he has another baptized brother who is not an elder do the work for him, the elder must watch while the work is being done. Outside companies, unbelievers, or sisters are not permitted to do this work. The material in the book is confidential, and confidentiality must be preserved."

So, if a member is a baptized male of the organization, it's permitted for the individual to do the work of spiral binding the book. However, if it is a baptized female she is not allowed to do so. Sisters - inclusive of all women who make up Jehovah's Witnesses - are classified with "outside companies" and "unbelievers" when it comes to trust and confidentiality according to the leaders of the organization.

Jehovah's Witnesses leaders, the good old boys of Bethel, whether it's Brooklyn or Patterson, lay the law once again.

Is it no surprise the organization stated that females who were raped are guilty of fornication if they did not yell or scream out while being attacked? See the Watchtower from January 15, 1964, page 64; and the Awake! from March 8, 1974, page 14.

For added insult to the organization’s “sisters”, the February 22, 1984 Awake! magazine admonishes women to treat their rapist respectfully.

This is not good and wholesome spiritual food that Jehovah’s Witnesses are fed, but sickening, twisted and demoralizing instructions...Especially so, if you are a female and one of the organization's so-called "sisters".

Applying The Bible

2010-10-13T14:10:00.013-04:00

How does one apply the Bible in their life?

According to the Watchtower from October 1, 1967, page 587 under 'Finding Freedom with Jehovah's Visible Organization' it states:

"Thus the Bible is an organizational book and belongs to the Christian congregation as an organization, not to individuals, regardless of how sincerely they may believe that they can interpret the Bible. For this reason the Bible cannot be properly understood without Jehovah's visible organization in mind."

Directly from the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses, the Bible does not belong to individuals but to their organization. In fact, the Bible cannot be understood without their visible organization (The Watchtower Society) in mind.

That is pretty sick and twisted reasoning. Perhaps this teaching has been refined over the years. Let's take a look at the issue from February 15, 1981 page 19, under 'Do We Need Help to Understand the Bible?' it states:

"We all need help to understand the Bible, and we cannot find the Scriptural guidance we need outside the "faithful and discreet slave" organization."

It appears they are sticking with this attitude that no one can understand the Bible without the aid of the Watchtower Society.

Nonetheless, that was nearly 30 years ago. Certainly now, humility has become apparent and such an arrogant and haughty spirit no longer exudes from the teachings and beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses printed in the pages of the Watchtower, right?

The September 15, 2010, Watchtower, page 8, seriously elevates the leaders of Jehovah's Witnesses to demigod status once again. It states in paragraph 7:

"We cannot hope to acquire a good relationship with Jehovah if we ignore those whom Jesus has appointed to care for his belongings. Without the assistance of "the faithful and discreet slave", we would neither understand the full import of what we read in God's Word nor know how to apply it."

Nothing new under the sun for the Watchtower Society and the men in Brooklyn posing as the soul channel of truth God is using to communicate with people today. Remember, they are appointed by Jesus, because they say so according to their select interpretation of specific bible passages. You must also ignore all their flip-flops in teaching and false prophesying.

Part of the problem is this attitude and mentality is rooted at the foundation of the organization’s beginnings.

The Watchtower Society first president - Charles Taze Russell - wrote a series of books called, 'Studies in the Scriptures'. Interestingly, the September 15, 1910 edition, on page 4695, states:

“Not only do we find that people cannot see the divine plan in studying the Bible by itself, but we see, also, that if anyone lays the Scripture Studies aside, even after he has used them, after he has become familiar with them, after he has read them for ten years - if he then lays them aside and ignores them and goes to the Bible alone, though he has understood his Bible for ten years, our experience shows that within two years he goes into darkness. On the other hand, if he had merely read the Scripture Studies with their references, and had not read a page of the Bible, as such, he would be in the light at the end of the two years, because he would have the light of the Scriptures.”

Russell identified himself as the sole authority of Biblical interpretation and understanding. He stated that one would end up in spiritual darkness without examining his writings. His writings were needed to properly understand and apply the Bible.

When the year was 1910, you needed one man, Charles Taze Russell. In the year 2010, you need the writings and directions of several men in Brooklyn.

Just like many other cult and cult-like organizations, emphasis is placed upon the organization and/or its human leader(s) as being the source of authority, information, and understanding the message or Word of God.

What does the Bible teach is needed for Christians to apply and understand the scriptures?

John 14:16 - "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever"

John 15:26 - "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me."

John 16:13 - "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come."

1 John 2:27 - "But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him."

According to the above passages it is the Holy Spirit – The Helper, the Spirit of truth - which is utilized to apply the Bible. Contrary to the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses, you do not need their organization or their interpretation, inclusive of their publications.

Jehovah's Witnesses are indoctrinated to believe they need the Watchtower Organization, they need the Watchtower. You want a relationship with God? Don't ignore the men in Brooklyn. According to the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses, you need the men in Brooklyn, and the organization they run and control, to understand the full import of God's Word and how to apply it.

How We Will Be Judged

2010-09-21T10:03:00.019-04:00

The Watchtower of December 15, 2010, page 20, paragraph 19, under the article "Reap Blessings Through God's Spirit-Guided King!" states:

"Among those "gifts in men" are the members of the Governing Body, who act in a representative way for the entire Christian congregation. In fact, our attitude toward Christ's spiritual brothers is a major factor that will determine how we will be judged during the coming great tribulation. Thus, one aspect of the way we gain a blessing is by giving our loyal support to God's anointed ones."

It appears in their magazine this way:

The Watchtower Society cherry picks select verses from Acts chapter 15 to support a so-called 'Governing Body' in the first century. The fact is this passage was over the one matter of circumcision in which Paul and Barnabus decided it would be best to go to the place where the conflict originated and discussed with a council there. However, it was for that one matter and one matter only. Paul, Barnabus, and other faithful followers of Jesus Christ such as Timothy, did things on their own with no further discussions with anyone from Jerusalem or any so-called Governing Body.

Assuming the role for the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses of being brothers of Christ, the Watchtower Society then rips a few verses from Matthew chapter 25, where Jesus basically states if you don't support my brothers you don't support me. According to the verses in that chapter, those who don't support Jesus' brothers receive everlasting punishment [The Watchtower Society interrupts this to mean not a literal everlasting punishment but eternal death remembered everlastingly], and the righteous receive eternal life.

In either case, both scriptural citations are a weak attempt in trying to provide some twisted biblical backing to the message of: 'Be loyal and have a positive attitude towards us, or else you will be judged unfavorably to eternal death!'.

The messages to Jehovah's Witnesses that is being indoctrinated into their hearts and minds are:

Loyal, Supportive, Faithful to Governing Body = Everlasting 'Perfect' Life.

Disloyal, Unsupportive, Unfaithful to Governing Body = Eternal Death.

The above is impounded and brow-beat into the members of the organization, over and over, time and time again.

As is the case with many cult and cult-like organizations, obedience and loyalty to the leader comes first. The difference with Jehovah's Witnesses demonstrates obedience not to one, but several men who call themselves the ‘Governing Body’. They hold the power and key with instilling fear and allegiance into the members. Loyalty to the organization and its leaders is inculcated above all else in the members' lives, inclusive of family and friends. Jehovah’s Witnesses need to wake up.

The Good News

2010-09-07T13:55:00.011-04:00

Supporters and members of Jehovah’s Witnesses may try to argue the topic of preaching with the following question or something similar:

"So, if Jehovah’s Witnesses are wrong, who are the ones Jesus said would be preaching the Good News of the Kingdom worldwide?"

This is one of the most ignorant things a believer in the message of Jesus Christ can dispute.

Particularly from a Jehovah's Witnesses, the reasoning carries the implication and indication that the message Jesus preached and the message Jehovah's Witnesses preach is the same.

This is not true.

For instance, Jehovah's Witnesses are taught, preach and teach, that there will be a paradise earth ruled over by 144,000 kings. Jesus never preached or hinted at anything even remotely close to that idea; neither did first century Christians.

Ironically enough, The Watchtower Society has plainly stated what the 'Good News of the Kingdom" entails.

The organization makes the following statement in the Watchtower, December 15, 1979 edition on pages 5 & 6, under 'How Powerful Is The Good News?' it states:

"OF ALL the messages published throughout the centuries, the “good news” set forth in the Holy Scriptures has had the greatest motivating power for good. The Bible refers to it as “the good news of the kingdom,” “the good news about Jesus Christ,” “the good news of the undeserved kindness of God,” “the good news of God,” “the good news of peace” and the “everlasting good news.” (Matt. 4:23; Mark 1:1; Acts 20:24; Rom. 15:16; Eph. 6:15; Rev. 14:6) This “good news” is primarily the message that salvation or everlasting life is possible on the basis of genuine faith in the atoning benefits of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, and that God’s kingdom by Christ will bring all things on earth into perfect unity with the holy heavens. (Acts 4:12; Rom. 1:16; Eph. 1:7-14) Why does that message have a powerful effect on those accepting it?"

Believers in Jesus Christ preach "the message that salvation or everlasting life is possible on the basis of genuine faith in the atoning benefits of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice", not the mongrel Adventist originated and stemmed from messages that Jehovah's Witnesses are taught to believe is 'the truth'. For example, only 144,000 go to heaven or the notion that you must belong to their organization, nor the myriads of other Watchtower Society specific doctrine(s).

The 'Good News' found in the Bible is preached, taught, and understood worldwide by many Christians throughout the Earth, it is not an exclusive teaching or message of Jehovah's Witnesses directed by the Watchtower Society's governing body.

Jehovah's Witnesses have their own interpretation and gospel message they bring to people's doors...A different gospel than what first century Christians preached, taught, and believed.

Galatians 1:6-9 warns of those who would have their own brand of the gospel. Straight from the Watchtower Society's own brand of the Bible, The New World Translation, it states:

"I marvel that YOU are being so quickly removed from the One who called YOU with Christ’s undeserved kindness over to another sort of good news. But it is not another; only there are certain ones who are causing YOU trouble and wanting to pervert the good news about the Christ. However, even if we or an angel out of heaven were to declare to YOU as good news something beyond what we declared to YOU as good news, let him be accursed. As we have said above, I also now say again, Whoever it is that is declaring to YOU as good news something beyond what YOU accepted, let him be accursed."

So if any Christian was to declare good news (most other Bibles translate good news as gospel) beyond what was declared to be the good news (or gospel) of Christ, they were to be accursed.

So, what exactly is the "Good News" or Gospel of Jesus Christ?

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 states (Again, even from The New World Translation) in no uncertain terms:

"Now I make known to YOU, brothers, the good news which I declared to YOU, which YOU also received, in which YOU also stand, through which YOU are also being saved, with the speech with which I declared the good news to YOU, if YOU are holding it fast, unless, in fact, YOU became believers to no purpose. For I handed on to YOU, among the first things, that which I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that he was buried, yes, that he has been raised up the third day according to the Scriptures"

This is the Good News/Gospel of Jesus...

Christ died for our sins, he was buried, and was raised up so we may be believers and be saved. That is the Gospel message that must be preached according to the scriptures.

Ask Jehovah's Witnesses what is their message, their gospel, their so-called ‘good news’, and recall what the Bible states about those who declare beyond the gospel/good news. The truth is Jehovah's Witnesses are accursed according to the statements from the Bible, including their own translation of scripture.

Not From Men

2010-08-10T12:43:00.003-04:00

Some may try to defend or apologize for the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses claiming that their leaders, their Governing Body, are imperfect and just men. Therefore, they of course make mistakes and errors.

However, does the organization present the instructions and directives of their leaders in such a light? Does the beliefs and doctrine of Jehovah's Witnesses come from failable men? Not according to their teachings and literature.

The September 15, 2010 Watchtower on page 13, paragraph 8 makes the following statements:

"The Governing Body publishes spiritually encouraging literature in many languages. This spiritual food is based on God's Word. Thus, what is taught is not from men but from Jehovah."

Not from men but from Jehovah is exactly how the organization has persistently and consistently presented its teaching and doctrine which is inclusive of their failed predictions, and flip-flops in beliefs.

Excusing them or their errors, false prophesying and outright lies as being the product of imperfect men does not stand up against what the organization to this day continues to indoctrinate to its members. Their beliefs and understanding comes from Jehovah, not from men.

The New Irish

2010-08-02T14:05:00.001-04:00

The literature and discourses delivered to Jehovah's Witnesses and distributed by them have consistently and thoroughly bashed, insulted and attacked other religious faiths. Especially, this has been the case with the information pushed out from the Watchtower Society regarding Catholicism.

"Fear has a great hold on the people. People are afraid of what their neighbors, their friends, relatives and clergy might think if they were even so much as to read the Bible on their own. For centuries the clergy have dominated their lives, told them what they can read, what they should believe and do. To ask a sound religious question is a demonstration of lack of faith in God and the church, according to the clergy. As a result, the Irish people do very little independent thinking. They are victims of the clergy and fear; but freedom is in sight." [Watchtower, August 1, 1958, p. 460, 'Dawns a New Era for the Irish'].

"There was also the dreadful Inquisition. It was a system for spying out those who did not believe everything the Roman Catholic Church taught and yet were supposed to be Catholics." [From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained, 1958, p. 167].

Respecting the above publication quotes, the organization as usual has come across as hypocritical. A brief review of some additional Watchtower Society publications demonstrates exactly how controlling and fear mongering the organization is to its members.

"As we study the Bible we learn that Jehovah has always guided his servants in an organized way. And just as in the first century there was only one true Christian organization, so today Jehovah is using only one organization. (Ephesians 4:4, 5; Matthew 24:45-47) Yet there are some who point out that the organization has had to make adjustments before, and so they argue: "This shows that we have to make up our own mind on what to believe." This is independent thinking. Why is it so dangerous? Such thinking is an evidence of pride. And the Bible says: "Pride is before a crash, and a haughty spirit before stumbling." (Proverbs 16:18) If we get to thinking that we know better than the organization, we should ask ourselves: "Where did we learn Bible truth in the first place? Would we know the way of the truth if it had not been for guidance from the organization? Really, can we get along without the direction of God's organization?" No, we cannot! -Compare Acts 15:2, 28, 29; 16:4, 5." [Watchtower, January 15, 1983, page 27, paragraphs 19 & 20, "Armed for the Fight Against Wicked Spirits"]

In the world, there is a tendency to reject leadership. As one lecturer said: "The rising education level has improved the talent pool such that followers have become so critical that they are almost impossible to lead." But a spirit of independent thinking does not prevail in God's organization, and we have sound reasons for confidence in the men taking the lead among us. - [Watchtower, September 15, 1989, page 23, paragraph 13, "Be Obedient to Those Taking the Lead"]

"How could one become guilty of partaking of the table of demons in our day? By serving the interests of anything opposed to Jehovah. The table of demons includes all demonic propaganda, which is designed to mislead and to turn us away from Jehovah. Who would want to feed his heart and mind on such poison?" [Watchtower, July 1, 1994, page 9].

"First, since “oneness” is to be observed, a mature Christian must be in unity and full harmony with fellow believers as far as faith and knowledge are concerned. He does not advocate or insist on personal opinions or harbor private ideas when it comes to Bible understanding. Rather, he has complete confidence in the truth as it is revealed by Jehovah God through his Son, Jesus Christ, and “the faithful and discreet slave.” By regularly taking in the spiritual food provided “at the proper time”—through Christian publications, meetings, assemblies, and conventions—we can be sure that we maintain “oneness” with fellow Christians in faith and knowledge.—Matthew 24:45." [Watchtower, August 1, 2001 Issue, Page 14, Paragraph 8]

If we were to base statements with the same reasoning the Watchtower Society utilized towards the Catholic faith coupled with the facts on the organization's teachings, this is how the opening Watchtower comments would read:

"Fear has a great hold on the Witnesses. Witnesses are afraid of what their neighbors, their friends, relatives and Watchtower Society leaders might think if they were even so much as to read the Bible on their own. For over a century the Watchtower Society leaders have dominated their lives, told them what they can read, what they should believe and do. To ask a sound religious question is a demonstration of lack of faith in God and the organization, according to the Watchtower Society leaders. As a result, Jehovah's Witnesses do very little independent thinking. They are victims of the Watchtower Society leaders and fear; but freedom is in sight."

If you are one of Jehovah's Witnesses, is freedom in sight for you? It should be, just keep seeking knowledge and information. Do the research and discover the truth of the matters.

Mother

2010-07-13T16:10:00.008-04:00

Jehovah's Witnesses are conditioned continuously not to question or disobey the organization. This kind of absolute obedience is something a parent may expect from their children. In fact, the Watchtower Society has painted themselves in that light to Jehovah's Witnesses.

"If we are to walk in the light of truth we must recognize not only Jehovah God as our Father but his organization as our mother," [Watchtower, May 1, 1957, page 274].

That kind of psychological conditioning of the members to be obedient, submissive children and in need of the organization continues throughout the years with similar articles. The November 15, 2009 Watchtower magazine in fact states on page 13, in paragraph 5:

"By word or action, may we never challenge the channel of communication that Jehovah is using today."

Indeed, "mother" has continuously led many of her unchallenging children with much behavioral conditioning, understanding, and twisted reasoning...

"Thus the Bible is an organizational book and belongs to the Christian congregation as an organization, not to individuals, regardless of how sincerely they may believe that they can interpret the Bible," [Watchtower, October 1, 1967, page 587].

"We all need help to understand the Bible, and we cannot find the Scriptural guidance we need outside the 'faithful and discreet slave' organization," [Watchtower, February 15, 1981].

"All who want to understand the Bible should appreciate that the "greatly diversified wisdom of God" can become known only through Jehovah's channel of communication, the faithful and discreet slave," [Watchtower, October 1, 1994, page 8].

This is one of the many problems with the so-called Governing Body concept of the Watchtower Society. Not only does the organization condition the members to see them as their mother, they also seek to take over Christ's role as mediator.

The Watchtower of November 15, 1979, page 26, made this comment:

"What, then, is Christ’s role in this program of salvation? Paul proceeds to say: “There is one God, and one mediator between God and men [not, all men], a man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all.”—1 Tim. 2:5, 6."

The insertion "[not, all men]" is the Watchtower Society blatantly changing the meaning of the Bible and what it states. The scripture does not contain a "[not, all men]" statement, but the Watchtower Society included it since once again they want the members to see them as being the mediator for humans to God.

This point was stressed again in their publication, 'Worldwide Security Under the "Prince of Peace"' on page 10, paragraph 16:

“Likewise, the Greater Moses, Jesus Christ, is not the Mediator between Jehovah God and all mankind. He is the Mediator between his heavenly Father, Jehovah God, and the nation of spiritual Israel, which is limited to only 144,000 members.”

Furthermore, all of the 144,000 do not share in dispensing 'truths from God', but only a select few who call themselves the Governing Body that claims to be of a so-called 'faithful and discreet slave class'. They decide what Jehovah's Witnesses are taught to believe as truth and when it will be told to them.

Per Our Kingdom Ministry from September 2002, page 8, paragraph 5, under 'Avoid the Pursuit of "Valueless Things"' it states:

"Bear in mind that our heavenly Father has an appointed channel of communication, “the faithful and discreet slave.” That “slave” has the responsibility to determine what information is made available to the household of faith, as well as “the proper time” for it to be dispensed."

What and when Jehovah's Witnesses are taught to believe something as 'the truth' is all thanks to their "mother", the organization controlled by the Watchtower Society. The majority of Jehovah's Witnesses are told they don't even have Christ as their Mediator; rather, the organization fulfills that role as well. Jehovah's Witnesses are victims of a power hungry and abusive parent. They need to exit such a relationship, and leave the toxic mother seeking her own interest first.

False Prophets - Part II: Creator's Promise

2010-07-07T13:23:00.010-04:00

The history of the Watchtower Society from its early days of just being some 'bible students' to more modern times, by means of their literature through the organization they control, have produced numerous prophecies and predictions with a 100 percent fail rate. An outstanding one of these prophecies includes the organization having the audacity to claim it was God's promise to occur.

This is easily noted in the Awake! magazine masthead or mission statement as printed before November 1995. There it clearly and plainly states:

"Why AWAKE! Is Published ...Most important, this magazine builds confidence in the Creator's promise of a peaceful and secure world before the generation that saw the events of 1914 passes away."

The Watchtower Society had Jehovah's Witnesses preach and proclaim for years it was God's promise that a peaceful and secure world would happen before the generation of 1914 passes away. After realizing time had caught up to their false prediction, starting with the November 1995, Awake! onward, the masthead was changed to read as:

"Why AWAKE! Is Published ... Most important, this magazine builds confidence in the Creator's promise of a peaceful and secure world that is about to replace the present wicked, lawless system of things."

Using the Bible as the standard and bar for distinguishing and understanding a false prophet, Deuteronomy 18:20-22 states:

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

The Watchtower Society spoke not just in the name of God, but said it was His promise. The word they spoke did not occur or come true.

Furthermore, though some many have lingering doubts or question whether the Watchtower Society ever claimed they were prophets, their literature clears any doubt and answers the question.

The Watchtower from March 15, 1972 makes this statement on page 189 from the bound volume:

"More accurately, was there any group on whom Jehovah would be willing to bestow the commission to speak as a 'prophet' in His name, as was done toward Ezekiel back there in 613 B.C.E.?"

The same Watchtower on page 190 goes on further:

"It is of importance to every individual on earth to identify the group that Jehovah has commissioned as his 'servant' or messenger.... For this reason forthcoming issues of The Watchtower will further discuss the identity and work of Jehovah's commissioned messenger as revealed in His vision to Ezekiel"

It is followed with the ultimate claim of being a prophet in the "forthcoming issue" of the Watchtower, from April 1, 1972, on page 197 it states:

"So, does Jehovah have a prophet to help them, to warn them of dangers and to declare things to come? These questions can be answered in the affirmative. Who is this prophet? ...This 'prophet' was not one man, but was a body of men and women. It was the small group of footstep followers of Jesus Christ, known at that time as International Bible Students. Today they are known as Jehovah's Christian witnesses... Of course, it is easy to say that this group acts as a 'prophet' of God. It is another thing to prove it. The only way that this can be done is to review the record. What does it show?"

Indisputably, the Watchtower Society has claimed that its organization contains prophets. Indeed, per their claims, Jehovah Witnesses are God's prophet in modern times.

The Bible states that Jesus provided this warning against false prophets in Matthew 7:15, 16:

“Be on the watch for the false prophets that come to YOU in sheep’s covering, but inside they are ravenous wolves. By their fruits YOU will recognize them." [NWT]

The Watchtower Society's aforementioned spiritual fruitage regarding 1914 that it provided to its followers with the undeniable claim of it being a promise from God, makes them ravenous wolves in sheep's covering according to the Bible; false prophets in which no one should follow or obey their directions.

Governing Body = Jesus Christ

2010-06-24T15:30:00.010-04:00

The September 15, 2010, Watchtower, page 23, second column:

"The anointed and their other sheep companions recognize that by following the lead of the modern-day Governing Body, they are in fact following their Leader, Christ."

That's what they call a CULT LEADER. It was only a matter of time for the Watchtower Society to come out and make such a statement. The time has come. In the Jehovah's Witness mind what is being indoctrinated is following the men in Brooklyn equals following Jesus Christ.

Matthew 24: 24, 25: "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will give great signs and wonders so as to mislead, if possible, even the chosen ones. Look! I have forewarned YOU" - [New World Translation]

One-Sided Argument

2010-06-16T13:31:00.010-04:00

The one-sided argument is continuously presented to Jehovah's Witnesses due to the Watchtower Society. Only the reasons and ideas supporting the religion are allowed to be viewed by its members. Members are highly discouraged, and trained to think God wants them to avoid critical information regarding anything associated with the organization.

This is a variant of the logical and argument fallacy known as Special Pleading. This illogical and false reasoning is taught and ingrained into the mind of Jehovah's Witnesses as a result of the indoctrination received through discourses and literature of the Watchtower Society.

Let's take note of some examples:

Watchtower, June 1, 1967, page 338:
"In Jehovah's organization it is not necessary to spend a lot of time and energy in research, for there are brothers in the organization who are assigned to that very thing?"

Watchtower, November 1, 1987, page 20:
"False religious propaganda from any source should be avoided like poison! Really, since our Lord has used "the faithful and discreet slave" to convey to us "sayings of everlasting life," why should we ever want to look anywhere else?"

Watchtower, July 1, 1994, pages 12-13:
"As loyal servants of Jehovah, why would we want to peek at the propaganda put out by rejecters of Jehovah's table..."

Watchtower, February 15, 2004, page 28:
"It would be a mistake to think that you need to listen to apostates or to read their writings to refute their arguments. Their twisted, poisonous reasoning can cause spiritual harm and can contaminate your faith like rapidly spreading gangrene."

Our Kingdom Ministry, Question Box, September 2007:
"Throughout the earth, Jehovah’s people are receiving ample spiritual instruction and encouragement at congregation meetings, assemblies, and conventions, as well as through the publications of Jehovah’s organization. Under the guidance of his holy spirit and on the basis of his Word of truth, Jehovah provides what is needed so that all of God’s people may be “fitly united in the same mind and in the same line of thought” and remain “stabilized in the faith.” (1 Cor. 1:10; Col. 2:6, 7) Surely we are grateful for Jehovah’s spiritual provisions in these last days. Thus, “the faithful and discreet slave” does not endorse any literature, meetings, or Web sites that are not produced or organized under its oversight.—Matt. 24:45-47.”

Imagine this logic and way of thinking being applied in other aspects of life.

For instance, say I held a certain political view and party called 'The True Government'. As a faithful follower and supporter of 'The True Government', I told you never to listen to any of the other political parties, that it is unnecessary, besides you will be poisoned by their way of thinking. Furthermore, avoid any negative information about 'The True Government' as well, and anyone else who is not a member of 'The True Government' political party. 'The True Government' members are the only ones with the truth, facts and the right way to govern things. What would you do?

How about if you are a parent and your child wants to join a club called 'Club Wholesome'. However, your child is instructed not to listen to anything negative about the club and to especially avoid anyone who is a former member and has left 'Club Wholesome'. What if the current members of that club spoke disparagingly of its former members and stated everything negative spoken or written about the club is just a pack of lies. Additionally, 'Club Wholesome' has provided to your child a ton of information showing how wonderful the club is and outlined a beautiful plan for its members. What would you do as a parent?

Or even something as simple of shopping. You have a manufacturer called 'The Best' telling you their products are the best and the only ones that are truly reliable and dependable. Most of the negative reports and information about their products are just angry former consumers who could not understand the products or refuse to use their products as they were instructed. In fact, don't even listen to the negative reviews or reports of their products. The additional negative press from those not former consumers of their products is due to someone or something evil influencing people and information to attack their product. 'The Best' products are the only products you should need and utilize. As a consumer, what do you do?

If you apply the Jehovah's Witnesses instruction and indoctrination these are likely outcomes:

-Respecting government and political views you would only listen to 'The True Government' and remain as an active supporter of their views and way of governing. You refuse to listen to any other political party or any viewpoint which goes contrary to the leaders of 'The True Government' or its way of governing.

-As a parent, you allow your child to join 'Club Wholesome' as all the things you have heard from its members and its literature sounds and appears to be wonderful. You have avoided hearing or reading anything negative or critical about the club. You believe its all lies anyway, despite not listening or reading any of it.

-Being a consumer, you would happily and whole-heartedly support 'The Best' manufacturer avoiding any other products from any other manufacturer. After all 'The Best' is 'the best'; and you 'know' everything else manufactured is defective and corrupt in some way. You believe 'The Best' makes and provides all you need.

Does the above read as sensible? Does the above sound rationale or reasonable? Is any of the above a wise course to take or even an educated and informed decision to make in any area of life?

Sadly, this kind of logic and thinking is all too prevalent among Jehovah's Witnesses. And as the aforementioned Watchtower Society publications prove, this type of viewpoint and attitude is fed as truth and being of God's directive through the organization.

If you happen to encounter or try to reason with a Jehovah's Witness, remember it is highly likely you are trying to reach someone who is set in their way from being indoctrinated to believe and listen to one-side of the argument, and one-side of the argument only... The one they have been trained to believe is 'the truth'.

Thank The Adventist

2010-06-08T11:13:00.017-04:00

It never ceases to amaze, the double talk or speaking out of both sides of their mouth you will find so prevalent among the literature, reasoning of doctrine, and information when looking into the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Take for instance, the Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses from 1975 on pages 34-35, under 'Part 1 - 'United States of America':

"By his own later admission, he had been “shaken in faith regarding many long-accepted doctrines” and had fallen “a ready prey to the logic of infidelity.” But tonight he is attracted by some singing. He enters a dusty, dingy hall. His object? In his own words, “to see if the handful who met there had anything more sensible to offer than the creeds of the great churches.”

The young man sat and listened. Jonas Wendell, a Second Adventist, delivered the sermon. “His Scripture exposition was not entirely clear,” our listener later remarked. But it did something. He had to admit: “It was sufficient, under God, to reestablish my wavering faith in the Divine inspiration of the Bible, and to show that the records of the Apostles and the Prophets are indissolubly linked. What I heard sent me to my Bible to study with more zeal and care than ever before.”

The inquisitive young man was Charles Taze Russell."

Interestingly, you will note that it was listening to an Adventist sermon which reestablished the faith of the ultimate founder of the organization known today as Jehovah's Witnesses. Do you think such a recommendation should be provided by Jehovah's Witnesses today to (re)establish one's faith in the Bible? Should an individual attend and listen to other religious sermons, such as an Adventist to help a person study the Bible 'with more zeal and care than ever before'?

Obviously, such a notion or thought by a member of the Watchtower Society would be borderline if not direct so-called 'interfaith' and possibly considered 'apostate' by the organization. So what is the logical and non-contradicting reasoning as to why it is seen as acceptable to have walked the path that Charles Taze Russell took, but not by other individual members who are known today as Jehovah's Witnesses?

This goes hand in hand with another point. Does God work through an organization or specific individual persons? Asking a Jehovah's Witnesses today, in harmony with the indoctrination they receive; in no uncertain terms stipulate that being a member and follower of the organization is a requirement by God. That is the only way to receive 'truth'.

Watchtower, January 15, 1997, page 22, paragraphs 21:
“We must serve Jehovah with his spirit-directed organization."

Watchtower, January 15, 2010, pages 28-32, paragraph 15:
"Each of us would do well to ask himself: 'Do I fully recognize the responsibilities that I should shoulder within the Christian congregation? Am I properly supporting Jehovah's way of governing? Am I proud to be a subject of Jehovah's ruling Kingdom? Am I determined to continue telling others about God's Kingdom to the extent that I reasonably can?' As a group, we willingly submit ourselves to the direction given by the Governing Body and cooperate with the appointed elders in the congregations. In such ways, we demonstrate our acceptance of God's way of ruling."

Our Kingdom Ministry, September 2007, page 3, Question Box:
"Does the "faithful and discreet slave" endorse independent groups of Witnesses who meet together to engage in Scriptural research or debate?

No, it does not."

Watchtower, August 15, 1981, page 29, paragraph 14:"They say that it is sufficient to read the Bible exclusively, either alone or in small groups at home. But, strangely, through such ‘Bible reading,' they have reverted right back to the apostate doctrines that commentaries by Christendom's clergy were teaching 100 years ago..."

The problem presented compounds itself when, depending on the publication and time you reference Jehovah's Witnesses publications, you will receive different and contradicitng statements on the matter at hand.

For example, the Watchtower magazine from January 15, 1975 on pages 46 & 47, as well as the publication 'You Can Live Forever' on page 193, stress that it was always a group, a close unified group or family not scattered individuals that God was refining. However, if one was to reference the Watchtower from July 15, 1960 on page 435 or the 'Proclaimers' book on page 44, it stipulates that God was refining and working through scattered individuals.

So which one is it, has God always directed truth through individuals, as in the case of Charles Taze Russell and even directing one's faith through other religious organizations, or is it always a group and never with an individual? If for a time God worked with an individual and 'now' only works with an organization, when and why did the change take place? What is the logical explanation and reasoning? What is the stipulation, exact moment or occasion when God stopped working through one man like Charles Taze Russell, who started a movement in which a result of it is the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses; and instead, feeds 'truth' and provides 'truth' only through an organization where one must be a part of?

Does God work only through an organization where the Bible cannot be understood or interpreted by individuals, regardless of the amount of Bible reading they perform, as indicated in the October 1, 1994, Watchtower on page 8, and in the publication 'You Can Live Forever' on page 193?

Is it through an individual, such as Charles Taze Russell, the ability is given to comprehend and interpret scripture? Does God work truly like he did, allegedly though Russell, to restore truth which was lost for centuries? The publication 'Jehovah's Witnesses In The Divine Plan', on page 17, states about Charles Taze Russell:

"He revived the great truths...He was permitted to understand it…The promise of the Lord was fulfilled in him.”

Remember, without Russell there is no religion of Jehovah's Witnesses as it is known today. Additionally, there was no 'Governing Body' as it exists today within the Watchtower Society until the mid-1970's. Shortly after the whole 1975 fiasco it obtained the power and control it wields today. Prior to that, it was the Watchtower Society president who exercised complete control of doctrines, publications and activities of the organization. Nevertheless, asking the question again, does God work through individuals or an organization, one thing is for sure...

Jehovah's Witnesses need to thank the Adventist for reestablishing the faith of Charles Taze Russell. Thanks to the Adventist for restoring Russell's faith in the Bible. The 'truth' is thanks to the Adventist for providing a catalyst to the man who would be the beginnings and leader of an offshoot religion which is known today as Jehovah's Witnesses.

Live Up To Your Dedication

2010-05-18T13:46:00.010-04:00

On May 16, 2010, Jehovah’s Witnesses studied and was taught from the March 15, 2010, Watchtower magazine. The article utilized is entitled, ‘Walk By Spirit And Live Up To Your Dedication’. It is found on pages 14-18 of the aforementioned publication.

This leads us to the discussion to what do Jehovah’s Witnesses dedicate themselves? Prior to 1985, before a person’s baptism into becoming a member, two questions were asked which needed to be answered in the affirmative. These questions can be found in the Watchtower, May 1, 1973, page 280, paragraph 25, under ‘Baptizing Follows Discipling’, which states the following:

“If you feel the same about serving Jehovah God and taking Christ’s yoke upon you, we suggest that you consider the following two questions, which are asked of candidates for baptism:

(1) Have you repented of your sins and turned around, recognizing yourself before Jehovah God as a condemned sinner who needs salvation, and have you acknowledged to him that this salvation proceeds from him, the Father, through his Son Jesus Christ?

(2) On the basis of this faith in God and in his provision for salvation, have you dedicated yourself unreservedly to God to do his will henceforth as he reveals it to you through Jesus Christ and through the Bible under the enlightening power of the holy spirit?”

The questions appear fair and straightforward enough in understanding one’s dedication would be to the Father [Jehovah], the Son [Jesus Christ] and the Holy Spirit. To the Watchtower Society’s credit, this could also be seen to harmonize with the scripture found in Mathew 28:19. As translated in the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, it states:

“Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit”.

However, after the fallout of the Watchtower Society falsely leading and indoctrinating members to believe Armageddon was to occur in 1975, there was a huge lost in membership. In the early 1980’s refinements were made to place a stronger hold on the members and for there to be greater ownership and accountability of the members to the Watchtower Society.

A consequence of this was revised questions in which a person must still answer in the affirmative in order to be baptized. The questions can be found in the Watchtower from June 1, 1985. On page 30 under ‘Subjecting Ourselves To Jehovah By Dedication’ the following is stated:

“At the close of the convention baptism talk, the baptism candidates will be in position to answer with depth of understanding and heartfelt appreciation two simple questions that serve to confirm that they recognize the implications of following Christ’s example.

The first question is:
On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?

The second is:
Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in association with God's spirit-directed organization?”

Notice the second question. The Watchtower Society has completely removed the Holy Spirit and in turn leaves a person bound as a member of the Watchtower organization. Slyly, since the year 1985, people who become a dedicated member of Jehovah’s Witnesses have been baptized, not in the name of the Holy Spirit (As stipulated in the Bible), but in the name of a so-called ‘spirit-directed organization’. Interestingly, there is no mention in these updated questions of this baptism identifying them as Christian, but strictly a Jehovah’s Witness; a member of the organization controlled by the Watchtower Society.

Therefore, are Jehovah’s Witnesses dedicated to God in the same manner as first century Christians? Is a Jehovah’s Witnesses baptism biblical, and by whose authority does such a baptism leave one under? Is one when baptized as a Jehovah’s Witness baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? Clearly, by the organization’s publication and practice, one is dedicating themselves in the name of Jehovah, Jesus and the Watchtower Society. Is that a dedication anyone should desire to live up to?

According to the Watchtower Society, dedication to their organization is required by God and they are the only true Christian religion as shown in the Watchtower, January 15, 1997, page 22, paragraphs 21-22, under ‘What Does God Require Of Us?’:

“This brings us to the fourth requirement. We must serve Jehovah with his spirit-directed organization. How, though, can God’s organized people be identified? According to the standards set out in the Scriptures, they have real love among themselves, they have deep respect for the Bible, they honor God’s name, they preach about his Kingdom, and they are no part of this wicked world. (Matthew 6:9; 24:14; John 13:34, 35; 17:16, 17) There is only one religious organization on this earth that has all these marks of true Christianity—Jehovah’s Witnesses!”

It is required to be members of the Watchtower organization. If one was to research the origin and background of Jehovah's Witnesses, they would find it to be one whose fondation started in the late 1800’s with a history of doctrinal flip-flops and false prophesy. Nevertheless, this is what God requires and what Jehovah’s Witnesses are indoctrinated to live up to in dedication, according to the Watchtower Society…Despite what the Bible states.

End Question

2010-04-22T11:33:00.010-04:00

Does "new light" excuse false prophecy?

"From a purely human viewpoint, it could appear that these developments could hardly take place before the generation of 1914 disappears from the scene. But fulfillment of all the foretold events affecting the generation of 1914 does not depend on comparatively slow human action. Jehovah's prophetic word through Jesus Christ is: 'This generation [of 1914] will by no means pass away until all things occur.' (Luke 21:32) And Jehovah, who is the source of inspired and unfailing prophecy, will bring about the fulfillment of his Son's words in a relatively short time.--Isaiah 46:9,10; 55:10,11."
--The Watchtower, May 15, 1984, pages 6-7

Note: The expression "[of 1914]" is in the original Watchtower text.

“‘However, the prophet who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded him to speak or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet must die. And in case you should say in your heart: “How shall we know the word that Jehovah has not spoken?” when the prophet speaks in the name of Jehovah and the word does not occur or come true, that is the word that Jehovah did not speak. With presumptuousness the prophet spoke it. You must not get frightened at him.’"
--New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures - Deuteronomy 18:20-22.

Blood Guilty

2010-04-20T12:01:00.022-04:00

To this day, Watchtower Society's doctrine still prohibits blood transfusions. A doctrine enforced that is actually rooted back to the days in which C.T. Russell's teachings were desired to be overturned, during the reign of second Watchtower Society president, J.F. Rutherford. This same notion stuck with succeeding Watchtower Society presidents, including Knorr and Franz.

Though Franz was well-known among many old timers in the organization to be the author of many of the books printed by the Watchtower Society, little is known about other contributors to doctrinal changes. One of these men is Gene Smalley. He is the author of this 'new light' (As opposed to C.T. Russell's 'old light') on blood transfusions.

There continued to be 'refinements' of this Watchtower Society doctrine as a result of the inaccuracy of research performed by the organization. More so, changes have been implemented due to the legal ramifications in modern times.

Furthermore, many countries have been issued public relations statements that would give the appearance that Jehovah's Witnesses are not prohibited by the organization from having blood transfusions. Nonetheless, if they make the personal 'choice' to have a blood transfusion, they are disfellowshipped and shunned. Of course, this is not mentioned in the information provided to the public.

Here's a list of some Watchtower Society publications and the stance respecting the organization's doctrine and teachings of blood:

12/25/1940 - Consolation, page 19: Blood transfusions permitted.
07/01/1945 - Watchtower, page 201: Blood officially banned.
01/08/1954 - Awake!, page 24: Disallowed the use of blood fractions.
09/15/1958 - Watchtower, page 575: Changed policy allows use of blood fractions.
10/15/1959 - Watchtower, page 640: No storage of blood before an operation.
09/15/1961 - Watchtower, pages 558-599: Disallowed blood fractions.
02/22/1975 - Awake!, page 30: Hemophilia treatment condemned.
06/15/1978 - Watchtower, pages 29-31: Hemophilia treatments allowed.
06/15/1985 - Watchtower, page 30: Factor VIII not allowed.
03/01/1989 - Watchtower, pages 30 & 31: Blood outside body permitted using dialysis.
06/15/2000 - Watchtower, pages 29-31: Blood fractions from blood components allowed.

Besides the current no blood transfusion stance which started under the Rutherford Reign in the mid-40s, notice the other following oddities...

Blood Fractions:
No = 1954
Yes = 1958
No = 1961
Yes = 2000

Hemophilia treatments:
No = 1975
Yes = 1978

Apparently, according to Watchtower Society teachings during the mid-70's God had a disdain towards hemophiliacs. Additionally, it took close to 40 years for God to direct his organization back to the stance that blood fractions are allowed. After teaching it was not allowed in 1954, approximately four years later it was permitted. About three years after that, it became prohibited again, and remained that way from 1961 until 2000. In 2000, God threw some more 'new light' at the Governing Body who gave the thumbs up to blood fractions.

To ponder the number of deaths the above doctrines has caused and still causes are staggering. Not to just adults but to innocent and helpless children. Here's a brief list to consider straight from some of the Watchtower Society's publications:

-Adrian Yeatts - age 15 - Source: Awake! May 22, 1994, page 8.

-Dan Andersen - age 15 - Source: Watchtower February, 1, 1996, page 15.

-Irene Walter - age 2 - Source: Awake!, September 22, 1972, pages 17-21.

-Lenae Martinez - age 12 - Source: Awake!, May 22, 1994, page 10.

-Lisa Kosack - age 12 - Source: Awake!, May 22, 1994, page 14.

-Wyndham Cook - age 15 - Source: Awake!, August 22, 1991, page 15.

Please note…The May 22, 1994 Awake! is a good reference point alone as numerous children are spoken of who have died due to the Watchtower Society's interpretation of Bible verses.

A few more easily referenced:

-Brendon Hood - age 4 - Source: Associated Press dispatch reproduced on page 70 of the book ‘Danger at Your Door’ by Duane Magnani.

-Elihu Canle - age 2 - Source: Cambio 16, October 3, 1994.

-Kelsey Crockford - age 2 - Source: The Houston Chronicle, November 18, 1995, page 42A.

-Kevin Rattenbury - age 14 - Source: The Chicago Tribune, August 14, 1991.

-Lucia Gangi - age 12 - Source: Australia's Telegraph Mirror Journal, March 25, 1992.

There are hundreds to thousands more which could be referenced, but we will leave that for your own personal research. A child of 15, 12, 2 years old age...What 'choice' did these children have?

Indoctrination from an organization claiming to be God's channel of truth provides the directive and they follow or are forced to follow in many cases, their parent's consent or/and legal directive. The blood guilt is clear and is extremely saddening. It is an evil from a false prophet doomsday organization whose victims include helpless innocent children that is reminiscent of the child sacrifices found in the Bible. Molech and Baal would be pleased.

Submit To The Governing Body

2010-04-06T14:59:00.003-04:00

This past April 4th Sunday's Watchtower Study article emphasized once again to the followers what is key to the faith and organization that is known as Jehovah's Witnesses. As the Watchtower Society has stressed, is stressing, and will continue to stress, is obedience to their organization.

The article, "Jehovah's Way Of Ruling Vindicated!” as found in the January 15, 2010 Watchtower, pages 28-32, states the following in paragraph 15:

"Each of us would do well to ask himself: 'Do I fully recognize the responsibilities that I should shoulder within the Christian congregation? Am I properly supporting Jehovah's way of governing? Am I proud to be a subject of Jehovah's ruling Kingdom? Am I determined to continue telling others about God's Kingdom to the extent that I reasonably can?' As a group, we willingly submit ourselves to the direction given by the Governing Body and cooperate with the appointed elders in the congregations. In such ways, we demonstrate our acceptance of God's way of ruling. (Read Hebrews 13:17.) Willing submission results in a worldwide unity that is unique in this divided world. It also produces peace and righteousness and brings glory to Jehovah, demonstrating that his way of ruling is by far the best."

Submit to the Governing Body and do it willingly. That is the message. That is part of the indoctrinating and training a Jehovah's Witness receives. The continuous subliminal message being instilled to a loyal Jehovah's Witness member is you listen to the Governing Body, you obey the Governing Body, and you do as the Governing Body says. In this way you're 'properly supporting Jehovah'; you 'accept God's way of ruling'.

This obedience to the Governing Body is backed with a fallacy consistently used by the Watchtower Society known as the 'Appeal to Authority'. The phrases: 'Jehovah's way of governing', 'Jehovah's ruling Kingdom', 'God's Kingdom', and the aforementioned 'God's way of ruling', all surrounds the Watchtower Society's direction to submit yourself to their Governing Body’s directions.

Furthermore, the twisted and circular logic is as follows: You submit yourself to the Governing Body - Those 9 men calling the shots in Brooklyn - because that is the direction and ruling of God. You know it is the direction and ruling of God because the Governing Body says that is the case. It makes perfect circular logical sense.

God's Name

2010-03-01T15:49:00.041-05:00

According to Insight on the Scriptures Volume 2, page 5 under the heading, 'Jehovah' the following is stated:

"Correct Pronunciation of the Divine Name. “Jehovah” is the best known English pronunciation of the divine name, although “Yahweh” is favored by most Hebrew scholars. The oldest Hebrew manuscripts present the name in the form of four consonants, commonly called the Tetragrammaton (from Greek te•tra-, meaning “four,” and gram'ma, “letter”). These four letters (written from right to left) are יהוה and may be transliterated into English as YHWH (or, JHVH)."

The Watchtower Society adds "(or, JHVH)" in their publication, but that letter usage was to make allowance and flexibility centuries later. It does not attribute towards accuracy. The confusion stems from Latin sources, in which the same letter represents both J and Y, and another single letter represents both V and W. Nonetheless, the original Hebrew translates to YHWH.

On page 7, the same publication continues:

"Since certainty of pronunciation is not now attainable, there seems to be no reason for abandoning in English the well-known form “Jehovah” in favor of some other suggested pronunciation. If such a change were made, then, to be consistent, changes should be made in the spelling and pronunciation of a host of other names found in the Scriptures: Jeremiah would be changed to Yir•meyah′, Isaiah would become Yesha?•ya′hu, and Jesus would be either Yehoh•shu′a? (as in Hebrew) or I•e•sous′ (as in Greek). The purpose of words is to transmit thoughts; in English the name Jehovah identifies the true God, transmitting this thought more satisfactorily today than any of the suggested substitutes."

So the Watchtower Society is stating that there is no way to attain the correct pronunciation of God’s name, but since ‘Jehovah’ is supposedly so well-known, let’s stick with it. Regardless of the facts that Hebrew scholars use YaHWeH, and earliest documented evidence shows YHWH – Not JHVH [JeHoVaH] as valid consonants in the name.

This is not the only place the Watchtower Society shows poor reasoning and goes against logic in their explanation of using ‘Jehovah’. The Divine Name brochure on page 7 under ‘God’s Name – It’s Meaning and Pronunciation’ makes the following statements:

“How Is God’s Name Pronounced? The truth is, nobody knows for sure how the name of God was originally pronounced. Why not? Well, the first language used in writing the Bible was Hebrew, and when the Hebrew language was written down, the writers wrote only consonants—not vowels. Hence, when the inspired writers wrote God’s name, they naturally did the same thing and wrote only the consonants. "

Page 8 of the same brochure states:

"Where, though, did pronunciations like Yahweh come from? These are forms that have been suggested by modern scholars trying to deduce the original pronunciation of God’s name. Some—though not all—feel that the Israelites before the time of Jesus probably pronounced God’s name Yahweh. But no one can be sure. Perhaps they pronounced it that way, perhaps not.

Nevertheless, many prefer the pronunciation Jehovah. Why? Because it has a currency and familiarity that Yahweh does not have. Would it not, though, be better to use the form that might be closer to the original pronunciation? Not really, for that is not the custom with Bible names."

The same article then tries to convince the reader that since many other biblical names were translated in a similar fashion (continuing "the custom" argument), translating God's name in the same pattern may be acceptable too. The Watchtower Society is trying to make two wrongs equal a right. After laying that reasoning down, the organization once again shows how faulty their own logic is and then switches gears on page 10:

"...Even though the modern pronunciation Jehovah might not be exactly the way it was pronounced originally, this in no way detracts from the importance of the name. It identifies the Creator, the living God, the Most High to whom Jesus said: “Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified.”—Matthew 6:9.”

Interestingly, the Watchtower Society comments: "...Jehovah might not be exactly the way it was pronounced originally". However, it definitely was not pronounced that way. Their own publication already provided that information. By stating 'might not', it is deceitful and leading the reader to believe there is a chance, it is possible 'Jehovah' is the name of God. The truth is there is zero possibility that 'Jehovah' is correct.

Regardless, since “many prefer” Jehovah over Yahweh, the Watchtower Society is sticking with Jehovah as the official name. This is in spite of the fact that Yahweh is closer to the original pronunciation, as admitted by the organization.

The Watchtower Society is hypocritical and contradictory in the way they approach the name of God. From their own words, it is seen that popular choice and preference outweighs logic and facts. One would think something that Jehovah's Witnesses stress is so monumental in importance, the name of 'The Father'; it would be better decided with facts and truth rather than the popular vote.

Interestingly (and arguably more importantly), the Bible makes the following statements in the area respecting names. In the case where a Jehovah's Witness is taught that God, whom is perceived as just being The Father and is specifically addressed, the Bible notes the following details on the issue.

Exodus 3:13-14 (New King James Version):

"Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?”

And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”"

If there was significance in saying the specific name of ‘Jehovah’ God, you would believe that here would be the place for it. God would state a specific divine name, 'Jehovah' or they equivalent thereof to His people. However, He does not do so. Furthermore, application in the New Covenant and Testament provides these specifics regarding a divine name.

Acts 4:10-12 (New King James Version):

"let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’[a] Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Footnotes:
[a] Acts 4:11 - Psalm 118:22”

The scriptures above make it plain and simple. The name of God – (more specific to Jehovah’s Witnesses, 'The Father' only) - was not provided when God was asked directly for it. However, the name of Jesus Christ is the only one in which salvation is found. There is no other name under heaven given among men in which we must be saved – This includes the ‘popular’ and Watchtower Society preferred name of The Father, 'Jehovah'.

Of course, this only applies if you believe and follow the Bible to be the Word of God. If you perceive a bunch of men who tout themselves as a ‘Governing Body’ who dispense ‘truth’ through a magazine, you’re probably inclined to feel otherwise.

Finally, how did ‘Jehovah’ become so ‘well-known’ and ‘preferred’?

According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, (1991) under the heading 'Yahweh', here is how this name came into being:

"The Masoretes, who from about the 6th to the 10th century worked to reproduce the original text of the Hebrew Bible, replaced the vowels of the name YHWH with the vowel signs of the Hebrew word Adonai or Elohim. Thus the artificial name Jehovah (YeHoWaH) came into being."

Furthermore, despite the name Jehovah being nonexistent in the original Hebrew scriptures, it really started to become mainstream around 1270 A.D. due to the work of a Roman Catholic Spanish Monk, named Raymundus Martini. As mentioned earlier, there is no J or V in the Hebrew alphabet. 'Jehovah' is a Latinized or anglicized transliteration. It is not an accurate one.

The Watchtower Society supports the Masoretic and Catholic originated work, while providing a twisted logic and justification for utilizing a manufactured name for God. This in itself is ironic and hypocritical, when you read of the historic bashing of the Catholic faith by Jehovah's Witnesses.

Perhaps the only thing more artificial then the name of God being Jehovah, is the notion of a publishing company being the sole channel of communicating ‘truth’ that same God is using today.

Bait And Switch Friends

2010-02-19T15:53:00.021-05:00

Jehovah’s Witnesses are indoctrinated through talks and publications of the Watchtower Society to recruit members. Their primary focus towards anyone who is not a Jehovah’s Witness is to convert them. Although they will not out rightly say so, and will use such phrases as ‘encourage people to look into the Bible’, what they are really attempting is to ‘encourage people to interpret and understand the Bible according to the Watchtower Society’.

The sincerity and kindness they seemingly show can even be questioned when the true motives of such actions become apparent. Take for instance the teachings seen by Jehovah’s Witnesses as spiritual food in the November 15, 2009, Watchtower article with the theme, ‘Displaying Good Manners As A Minister Of God’. It covers pages 24-29 of the journal. Notice the admonition and what should be the true motive in making friends with those who are not members as noted in paragraph 10:

"Consider the case of a Christian couple named Tom and Carol, who live in a large North American city. They have made pleasant conversation with their neighbours a part of their ministry. How do they do it? Referring to James 3:18, Tom says: "We try to be friendly and peaceable with people. We approach those we see outside their homes and those who work in the area. We smile and greet them. We talk about what interests them--their children, their dogs, their homes, their jobs. In time, they view us as their friends." Carol adds: "On a later visit, we give them our names and ask for theirs. We let them know what we are doing in the neighbourhood but keep the conversations brief. Eventually, we can give them a witness." Tom and Carol have won the confidence of many of their neighbours. A good number have accepted Bible-based publications, and a few have shown greater interest in learning the truth.”

The Jehovah’s Witnesses indoctrinated objective is not to be a sincere friend to those who are outside of the organization, but rather to give the appearance of one, so as to be able to preach to a person the Watchtower Society’s 'truth' - “give them a witness”. There may be a Jehovah's Witness you know that is a true friend despite this teaching of their leaders (Referred to by Jehovah’s Witnesses as 'The Governing Body'). Nonetheless, this is the message, the practice, and the so-called love Jehovah’s Witnesses are trained to show to those whom they label as ‘worldly people’.

Furthermore, remember the “Bible-based publications” mentioned in the quoted paragraph are more magazines, books and the like, that are published by the Watchtower Society. It is their interpretation and their twist on matters, which when accepted by an outsider, is seen as taking an interest in “the truth”. This so called 'truth' is the current or present truth as taught by the Watchtower Society. Remember though, that 'truth' can often change, this includes returning to an older belief they once had, as seen in the Watchtower Society’s teachings of ‘generation’ or the resurrection of the men of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Jehovah’s Witnesses are in the bait and switch game, whether conscience of the fact or not. They bait or lure individuals under a false premise or pretense in order to ultimately make more converts under an organization in which they are programmed to perceive as 'the truth'. That victum is love bombed and praised by members for taking the bait. Once indoctrinated enough, a switch occurs ever so subtly and the person must be a loyal member to the organization, or else suffer at the very least mental and emotional anguish.

Fact of the matter is a game has been played on them by the Watchtower Society. It continues to be played now, as it has been played throughout the organization’s history. That same quoted paragraph appropriately stated the Jehovah’s Witnesses “won the confidence” of those around them. In the Watchtower Society’s game, they are trying to ‘win’ everybody’s confidence.

The Watchtower Society convinces individual members to believe they have choice, they have freedom, but the reality is the members are taught severe consequence; including the ingrained notion and belief that they will die eternally and fall out of God’s favor should they not follow the organization. The bait of choice and freedom is switched to a trap of the mind and heart.

The bait of a façade love and friendship is switched (realized or not), with a real guilt and fear. The consequence of either a literal or believed losing of everything and everyone, should you even attempt to no longer be a member of the organization. It is the ultimate bait and switch, encompassing the kind of friendship no one should be interested in having as part of their life.

Next Generation Is This Generation

2010-01-26T14:33:00.034-05:00

Here is the new definition of 'generation' from the "faithful and discreet slave class" as stated in the April 15, 2010, Watchtower magazine. The article is entitled, "Holy Spirit’s Role in the Outworking of Jehovah’s Purpose". This new teaching and belief is specifically brought out in paragraphs 13 and 14:

"Third, holy spirit is at work in bringing Bible truths to light. (Prov. 4:18) This magazine has long been used by “the faithful and discreet slave” as the primary channel for dispensing increased light. (Matt. 24:45) For example, consider our understanding of those who make up “this generation” mentioned by Jesus. (Read Matthew 24:32-34). To what generation did Jesus refer? The article “Christ’s Presence—What Does It Mean to You?” explained that Jesus was referring, not to the wicked, but to his disciples, who were soon to be anointed with holy spirit. Jesus’ anointed followers, both in the first century and in our day, would be the ones who would not only see the sign but also discern its meaning—that Jesus “is near at the doors.”

"What does this explanation mean to us? Although we cannot measure the exact length of “this generation,” we do well to keep in mind several things about the word “generation”: It usually refers to people of varying ages whose lives overlap during a particular time period; it is not excessively long; and it has an end. (Ex. 1:6) How, then, are we to understand Jesus’ words about “this generation”? He evidently meant that the lives of the anointed who were on hand when the sign began to become evident in 1914 would overlap with the lives of other anointed ones who would see the start of the great tribulation. That generation had a beginning, and it surely will have an end. The fulfillment of the various features of the sign clearly indicate that the tribulation must be near. By maintaining your sense of urgency and keeping on the watch, you show that you are keeping up with advancing light and following the leadings of holy spirit.—Mark 13:37."

The Watchtower Society is now teaching Jehovah's Witnesses that when you read 'generation', it doesn't mean one generation, but an overlap of generations starting with the anointed in 1914. It's funny how the Watchtower Society can manipulate and interpret words as well as scriptural passage to fit their doctrines as they continue to make less and less sense.

It was not too long ago, another publication referencing the same word "generation" also used the highlighted scripture in Exodus to explain the 'correct' understanding. The Insight on the Scriptures book Volume 1, page 917 makes this statement:

"A generation commonly refers to all persons who were born about the same time. (Ex 1:6)"

However, now the Watchtower Society states according to the April 15, 2010, Watchtower:

"It usually refers to people of varying ages whose lives overlap during a particular time period; it is not excessively long; and it has an end. (Ex. 1:6)"

Two completely different takes on 'generation' using the same bible verse as support. In one occasion, it supports people “born about the same time”, and then in another instance the same verse supports “varying ages whose lives overlap”. The Watchtower Society has a knack for twisting the application of scriptures to suit their agenda and interpretation of 'truth' at any given time.

Additionally, they try to support their teachings by using weasel words or crafty grammatical styling to make their information and doctrine sound concrete and appear to be "the truth". As can be seen in paragraph 14 of the April 15, 2010, Watchtower study article, they make the statement regarding Jesus words:

"He evidently meant..."

Where and what is the evidence? There is no evidence. All that's present is the Watchtower Society's spin on matters when the facts go against their grain of beliefs. Anytime you see the Watchtower Society use the word "evidently", often what they are really stating is "there is no evidence, we are telling you and you will believe it means". They are placing words and exaggerated convoluted meaning into what the Bible states Jesus said.

Using their logic and interpretation of scripture, a child born in 2010 is actually part of Tom Brokaw's "Greatest Generation" because there are still plenty of World War II veterans alive today and the generations overlap. Additionally, today's kindergartener child is a part of the World War I generation because Kama Chinen of Japan, one of the oldest living people, born in 1895, overlaps with the child's life. According to the Watchtower Society, if these generations "overlap" starting with those who witnesses the events of 1914, they are a part of the same generation.

The problem the Watchtower Society is dealing with is the constant increase of Memorial partakers. In fact, the 2010 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses shows the number of partakers is 10,857 for the year 2009. This marks a significant increase from the previous year of 2008 where partakers totaled 9,986. The Watchtower Society taught that the decrease in number of partakers was a sign that Armageddon was soon to take place. Consequently, what would it mean to Jehovah's Witnesses if that number kept increasing? Obviously, they needed to fix the mess they started, since that number is indeed increasing.

The facts and real evidence makes them peddle back and perform a different explanation of their interpretation of the scriptures. Looking at the Watchtower from October 15, 1988 on page 4 under the heading, "The Sign — Are You Heeding It?" The following was taught as "the truth":

"Might it be, though, that the sign could occur over the span of many human generations? No. The sign is to occur during one particular generation. The same generation that witnessed the beginning of the sign will also witness its climax.

There is, however, the danger of becoming impatient. Seventy-four years have passed since the outbreak of World War I in 1914. From a human viewpoint, this may seem a very long time. But some eagle-eyed Christians who saw World War I are still very much alive. Their generation has not passed away."

Now with so-called 'increased light', that one human generation from 1914 spoken of in the Watchtower can completely pass away and not witness the climax because of the next generation (according to the Watchtower Society current 'truth') is an 'overlapping generation' which is equal to the same generation that Jesus was recorded to have stated in the Bible. Clear as muddy water, is it not?

Let's take a final look at the Watchtower Society's teaching of 'generation'. This time from a longer historical perspective:

Generation (Mathew 24:34)...

-1927 = The Anointed
[Watchtower February 15, 1927 page 62]

-1942 = Anyone alive to see 1914
[Watchtower July 1, 1942 page 204]

-1995 = Wicked People alive today
[Watchtower November 1, 1995 page 19]

-2008 = The Anointed
[Watchtower February 15, 2008 page 24]

-2010 = Overlap Generations of the Anointed since 1914
[Watchtower April 15, 2010 page 10]

In summary, the Watchtower Society’s teaching concerning the meaning of 'generation' as recorded in Matthew was first 'correctly' understood to be 'The Anointed' in 1927. But brighter light caused it to become an incorrect teaching of a couple of different things over the course of 81 years, only to return back to the original ‘correct’ 1927 teaching of 'The Anointed'. However, in a little over two years that now has proved to be not completely accurate and needed more 'tweaking' to overlap generations of the Anointed since 1914.

All the above is "The Truth" and the way God directs his chosen people...

...According to the Watchtower Society.

Unshakable Friendship

2009-12-30T15:43:00.004-05:00

On Sunday, December 27, 2009, Jehovah’s Witnesses studied together the article from the October 15, 2009 issue of the Watchtower magazine on pages 17-21, entitled: “Maintaining Friendships In A Loveless World”.

Interestingly, paragraph 4 states the following:

"True, those who do not love Jehovah can also form rewarding friendships. But when individuals are drawn together by a mutual love for God, their friendship will be unshakable. If misunderstandings arise, true friends will treat each other in a way that pleases Jehovah. If opposers of God try to cause divisions, these enemies discover that friendships among true Christians are unbreakable. Throughout history, servants of Jehovah have proved their willingness to face death rather than betray one another."

To their credit, it is good to see that the Watchtower Society acknowledges that those who are not Jehovah’s Witnesses can “form rewarding friendships”. However, the above is implying if you are not one of Jehovah’s Witnesses your friendships are ‘shakable’. They out rightly state that friendships among those who have a mutual love for God, while the paragraph links “true Christians” and “servants of Jehovah” , in other words the Watchtower Society’s definition of Jehovah’s Witnesses, are unshakeable. According to the Watchtower, Jehovah’s Witnesses have friendships that are unshakable.

The word unshakable is defined as:

“Marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable; "firm convictions"; "a firm mouth"; "steadfast resolve"; "a man of unbendable perseverance"; "unwavering loyalty". Not easily panicked or upset, steady, abiding, adamant, firm, fixed, impregnable, inflexible, unflappable, unsinkable, unwavering”.

To summarize, friendships formed by Jehovah’s Witnesses should last through anything. Contradictory to this idea, we see how quickly fleeing and conditional these so-called “unshakable” friendships are in paragraph 15 of the same article. There it states:

"What, though, if a friend inside the congregation decides to turn his or her back on Jehovah, perhaps needing to be disfellowshipped? Such a circumstance can be very distressing. Describing her reaction when a close friend stopped serving Jehovah, one sister said: "I felt as if something inside of me died. I thought my friend was firmly grounded in the truth, but she was not. I wondered if she had been serving Jehovah just to please her family. I then began to reassess my own motives. Was I serving Jehovah for the right reasons?" How did this sister cope? "l threw my burden on Jehovah," she says. "I am determined to show Jehovah that I love him for who he is, not just because he provides me with friends inside his organization.""

There is an old saying, ‘With friends like these, who needs enemies?’ The above paragraph epitomizes that statement. From the start, many Jehovah’s Witness friendships and overall relationships are conditioned and highly influenced, if not completely controlled by one’s loyalty to the Watchtower Society. As long as an individual follows the organization’s interpretations and directions including knocking on doors and attending the meetings, the friendship continues. However, the moment a person no longer supports the Watchtower Society, the friendship ends.

This type of conditional friendship is an excellent example of the conditional love found within the organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Make no mistake about it, many family ties are handled in the same fashion. The teaching and belief of ‘unshakable’ friendships among Jehovah’s Witnesses is more a farce and façade. The truth among Jehovah’s Witnesses is you will find many conditional friendships with loyalty to the Watchtower Society as the determining factor.

Enoch’s "Death"

2009-12-14T16:03:00.007-05:00

Watchtower Society doctrine stipulates that only a literal 144,000 individuals go to heaven when they physically die. Their version of the Bible, The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures is used in conjunction with systematic cherry picking of verses and convenient interpretation of passage to stipulate that the remaining members who are worthy of everlasting life will be resurrected and bound to the Earth only.

Members who do not make up the 144,000 include faithful servants of God prior to Jesus Christ. All of those individuals will make up in part, those who will live forever upon the Earth according to the Watchtower Society doctrine. However, once again the Watchtower Society's own literature works against them as Enoch is one such individual who would fall into this category. Interestingly, the Watchtower, July 15, 2009 issue – which was studied in Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Halls on Sunday, September 27, 2009 -- Paragraph 5, page 20, makes the following statements:

“This enmity quickly became evident when Abel, a righteous man, was killed by his brother. Later, enmity was directed against Enoch, another faithful man who lived before the Flood. He prophesied that God would come with HIS holy myriads to execute judgment against the ungodly. (Jude 14, 15) This message was certainly not a popular one. People hated Enoch and evidently would have murdered him had Jehovah not cut his life short. What boldness Enoch displayed! - Gen 5:21-24.”

According to the Watchtower Society, Jehovah cut his life short – killed him – to avoid being murdered. This on the surface may appear to be wonderful to a Jehovah’s Witness as God took Enoch away from persecution and he will receive Everlasting Life on a Paradise Earth, according to their beliefs as established by the Watchtower Society.

The reality is that reasoning doesn’t make sense. It would be the same as saying, “People hated Enoch and evidently would have cut his life short had Jehovah not murdered him.” Or, it could also be worded as: “People hated Enoch and evidently would have murdered him had Jehovah not murdered him”.

Looking at the New World Translation, what the Bible verse actually states at Genesis 5:24, is the following:

"And E´noch kept walking with the [true] God. Then he was no more, for God took him."

All the Bible verse stipulates is that “God took him”. The Watchtower Society conjecturing as to why God performed such action is to take focus away from the real issue that statement poses. The verse does not indicate why or in what manner, but just that God took him. Other Bible translation such as the New International Version renders that verse as “God took [Enoch] away”. Nevertheless, let’s stick with the “God took him” statement.

Remember, Watchtower Society doctrine has Enoch living forever on the Earth and not in heaven. In Enoch's case, this means dying a physical death and being resurrected. This leaves quite a mess for the doctrine taught to Jehovah’s Witnesses in light of this Bible verse; especially, once you couple it with another Bible verse concerning Enoch. The Bible once again speaks of Enoch if you were to take a look in Hebrews 11: 5. There the Bible reads as follows as per the New World Translation:

"By faith E´noch was transferred so as not to see death, and he was nowhere to be found because God had transferred him; for before his transference he had the witness that he had pleased God well."

The Bible indicates Enoch did not see death, and he was nowhere to be found because God had transferred him. This phenomenon can easily be explained by most Christians as Enoch being swept up to heaven by God. Unfortunate for a Jehovah’s Witness, such an explanation is not possible as it goes against what their religion teaches as the truth.

The truth is the Bible provides a much more reasonable and sound basis for such statements to be made not to lean towards a physical death provided to Enoch by God so he may be resurrected to an everlasting life on Earth; rather, an eternal heavenly reward for his faithful service to God. The Bible plainly states Enoch did not see death. There is no resurrection from death to a so-called Paradise Earth in the future per Watchtower Society teachings; instead, he was transferred to the heavens without ever experiencing death.

Conclusively, this provides further proof and evidence of the Watchtower Society not interested in the real truth of the Bible. They’re only interested in having the members believe and support what they teach as ‘The Truth’.

Misunderstanding

2009-12-10T14:08:00.013-05:00

Part of the smoke screens and mirrors act the Watchtower Society likes to play with Jehovah’s Witnesses and those not indoctrinated by their organization is having a play on words or concepts. Take for instance this admonishment in the Watchtower from March 15, 1998 on page 19:

"In order to avoid misunderstandings, Jehovah’s Witnesses try to be careful about how they express themselves. Instead of saying, "the Society teaches," many Witnesses prefer to use such expressions as, "the Bible says" or, "I understand the Bible to teach." In this way they emphasize the personal decision that each Witness has made in accepting Bible teachings and also avoid giving the false impression that Witnesses are somehow bound to the dictates of some religious sect. "

Following such directions leave Jehovah’s Witnesses in a quandary for many areas of teaching and doctrine from the Watchtower Society cannot be found by just using the bible. Such problems include but are not exclusive to:

-You cannot open the Bible and show someone that Jesus came to the Temple in 1919 to inspect it.

-You cannot use the Bible to show which blood fractions are allowed, and which ones are not.

-You cannot show the correct meaning of generation using the Bible. According to the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses it has changed over the years. If you had gone to someone's house prior to 1995 and ‘showed’ them the meaning of the generation, you'd have to go back, read the same scriptures, and tell them now it means something different, then go again when the meaning changed again; each time ‘proving’ the meaning with the same Bible.

Furthermore, the logic of the Watchtower Society is so twisted. The above Watchtower quote is telling Jehovah’s Witnesses to tell other that they (The Watchtower Society) are not telling Jehovah’s Witnesses what to do. The control the religion tries to hide from its members and others is sickening. In effect, the Watchtower Society is saying, “Don’t pay attention to the man behind the curtain”!

The truth is Jehovah’s Witnesses are following what the Watchtower Society says and teaches. Their own literature testifies to this fact. This is proven with such articles as the January 1, 1996 Watchtower under the theme “Handling the Word of the Truth Aright”, on page 30 which dictates:

“Today, a “faithful and discreet slave” has been appointed to supply God’s servants with food at the proper time and to help them understand “the greatly diversified wisdom of God.” Jehovah, by his spirit, reveals deep Scriptural truths by means of this loyal slave, which faithfully publishes spiritual “food at the proper time.”

Therefore, why does Jehovah's Witnesses not say, "the faithful and discreet slave" teaches and instructs us? According to the above Watchtower, that is where each individual is supposed to get their understanding from. The Watchtower Society has made it clear in their publications that individuals do not come to correct conclusions or accurate spiritual knowledge from their own study apart from the ‘spiritual food’ provided by the faithful and discreet slave class.

However, saying "the faithful and discreet slave class teaches" would sound even more cultish than saying "the Society teaches". Ultimately, the end result is the Watchtower Society trying to disguise and hide the true teachers of Jehovah’s Witnesses and who the members are really being led to follow.

The Third Party

2009-11-25T15:33:00.010-05:00

The Watchtower Society will often imploy the use of the third party when applying its indoctrination to make less transparent or obvious the control message they are dispensing to Jehovah's Witnesses. Take for instance the November 15, 2009 Watchtower article, "Treasure your Place in the Congregation", under the sub-heading "Cherish Our Place - How?"

Paragraphs 3 through 5 make the following statements:

"...We need to examine our response to the direction we receive from the slave class. Over the years, for example, we have received pointed direction on dress and grooming, entertainment, and improper use of the internet. Do we carefully heed this good counsel so that we are spiritually protected?..."

"Some might reason that areas such as entertainment and dress and grooming are personal matters. For the dedicated Christian who cherishes his place in the congregation, though, personal preferences should not be the sole determining factor when making decisions..."

"The spirit that now operates in the "sons of disobedience" is so widespread that it is like the air we breathe. That spirit can cause us to think that we do not need guidance from Jehovah's organization... We need to guard against developing a spirit of independence. By word or action, may we never challenge the channel of communication that Jehovah is using today. On the contrary, we should cherish our privilege to cooperate with the slave class. And should we not strive to be obedient and submissive to those taking the lead in our local congregations?"

Taking the above article and couple it with the admonishing and teaching Jehovah’s Witnesses receive that such counsel and direction is to be applied directly to them personally, the real information being fed and ultimately embedded in the minds and hearts of a Jehovah’s Witness makes it all too clear the level of control the organization applies over its members.

Let’s remove the third party terminology being used by the Watchtower Society and rewrite to the first party and the message with its level of control is crystal clear:

"...You need to examine your response to the direction you receive from us. Over the years, for example, you have received pointed direction on dress and grooming, entertainment, and improper use of the internet. Do you carefully heed (our) good counsel so that you are spiritually protected?"

"Some might reason that areas such as entertainment and dress and grooming are personal matters. For you, though, personal preferences should not be the sole determining factor when making decisions..."

"The spirit that now operates in the "sons of disobedience" is so widespread that it is like the air we breathe. That spirit can cause you to think that you do not need guidance from us...You need to guard against developing a spirit of independence (from us). By word or action, may you never challenge us, (as we are) the channel of communication that Jehovah is using today. On the contrary, you should cherish your privilege to cooperate with us. And should you not strive to be obedient and submissive to those taking the lead in your local congregations?"

The above is really what is being inculcated into Jehovah's Witnesses. The original writings are control enough in and of itself; however, the true meaning of the information behind dispensed articles such as the aforementioned Watchtower shows the true nature of its writers and leaders along with their intentions and the effects it would have on Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Much of this may be hard for a Jehovah's Witness to accept or believe. Nonetheless, go back and review other articles concerning guidance, direction, or admonishment, from the pages of the Watchtower and try the same technique. Remove the third person writing and replace with the first, and expose for yourself the true nature of the religion called Jehovah's Witnesses.

Friendship with Jesus Christ

2009-11-11T12:40:00.008-05:00

Jehovah’s Witness are taught that friendship with Jesus Christ is highly contingent upon their obedience and support of the Watchtower Society. This has been detailed in many of the Watchtower Society’s publications which Jehovah’s Witnesses are instructed to study and meditate upon.

Let’s take one example: The Watchtower from October 15, 2009 on page 15, under the subheading ‘Friendship with Christ Today’ states the following in paragraph 14:

"How, then can we be friends of Christ? One way is to obey the direction provided by the faithful and discreet slave class, which consists of Jesus' spirit-anointed brothers still alive on earth."

The “faithful and discreet slave class” as mentioned above, consists for Jehovah’s Witnesses of several men who reside in Brooklyn, NY who supposedly look over and approve all literature or ‘spiritual food’ provided to Jehovah’s Witnesses. They set doctrines such as not allowing the transfusion of whole blood, blood fractions are a conscience matter, no celebrating of holidays or birthdays and the shunning of former Jehovah’s Witnesses besides many other regulations and teachings.

It is sickening to think that one’s friendship with Jesus is conditioned with obedience to these men. The article does not stop there though. Continuing further in paragraph 17, this statement is made for Jehovah’s Witnesses to believe as truth:

"A second way that those of the other sheep class can help Christ's brothers is by financially supporting the preaching work."

While Kingdom Halls of Jehovah’s Witnesses will not ‘pass around plates’ so to speak, there are ‘contribution boxes’ found throughout their places of worship. While such monetary contribution may appear on the surface to be voluntary, what is being taught is if you want to be a friend of Jesus you will financially support the preaching work. The Watchtower Society has been masters over many years of causing Jehovah’s Witnesses to ‘read between the lines’ of the indoctrinating messages they dispense in their literature such as the Watchtower. This is just another example of one of them.

If the high level control has not enforced itself enough with this study article for Jehovah’s Witnesses, the next paragraph drives the obedience and support of the Watchtower Society organization home once more. Paragraph 18 brings the following admonition and instructions:

"A third way that all of us prove that we are friends of Christ is by cooperating with the direction provided by congregation elders."
&
"When we overlook the faults of the elders and joyfully follow their directions, we prove our love for Christ."

As if obedience to the men in Brooklyn, NY were not enough along with the financial support of the organization’s preaching work of distributing their literature and asking for money in order to solidify friendship with Jesus, Jehovah’s Witnesses are taught that cooperating with the Elders including overlooking their faults and following their directions is what proves your love for Him.

To be friends of Jesus Christ and to prove your love for Him, requires your obedience and support of the Watchtower Society. How convenient for the organization and how terribly controlling for its members.

How much so it contradicts the Bible which clearly states Jesus’ words regarding love and friendship. Even in the Watchtower Society’s version of the Bible, The New World Translation states in John 15: 13-15:

“No one has love greater than this, that someone should surrender his soul in behalf of his friends. YOU are my friends if YOU do what I am commanding YOU. I no longer call YOU slaves, because a slave does not know what his master does. But I have called YOU friends, because all the things I have heard from my Father I have made known to YOU.”

Jesus never mentioned obedience to an organization as being a stipulation on whether or not he would be friends with an individual. Never was there any hint of financially support a 19th century started publishing company in order to show love or have His friendship either. Furthermore, the notion of going along and joyfully following the directions of elders in the religion of Jehovah’s Witnesses in order to prove one’s love for Jesus is so far gone from anything that Christ taught.

It is clearly evident that while the Watchtower Society may print articles respecting ‘Friendship with Jesus’, what their real motive reveals is a controlling, manipulative message of obedience and support of their organization.

Representing The Watchtower Society

2009-10-06T12:19:00.012-04:00

Jehovah’s Witnesses have been instructed to avoid representing themselves as agents or representatives of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. Articles such as Our Kingdom Ministry from February 1989 on pages 3 & 4, under the article ‘Our Identification as Jehovah’s Witnesses’ emphasizes this matter:

“As ministers of the good news, we are known publicly as Jehovah's Witnesses. Our voluntary participation in the field service is motivated by love of God and neighbor. It is not carried on at the insistence of any man or organization but is according to our God-given commission to preach the "good news" and make disciples. (Matt. 24:14; 28:19, 20) Therefore, publishers do well to avoid representing themselves as agents or representatives of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., or any other corporation used by "the faithful and discreet slave" to advance Kingdom interests.-Matt. 24:45-47.

In case of an accident or an emergency or if problems are encountered while working trailer parks, apartments, or certain other territory, publishers may need some form of personal identification beyond giving their name along with a brief Scriptural explanation of the nature of our religious work. If questioned, or when asked for credentials, baptized publishers may use the identification card (S-65) signed by the presiding overseer, which shows one is preaching the good news of the Kingdom in association with the local congregation named on the card.

A supply of identification cards (S-65), which may be issued to baptized publishers when there is a need, will be included with the annual shipment of congregation forms. If any publishers use a personal name card in connection with their field service activities, they should not print thereon that they are representatives of the Watchtower Society.”

The reality of taking such a position is Jehovah’s Witnesses are to use the magazines and other publications of the Watchtower Society organization; they are to advance their understanding and teachings of matters as presented in the Watchtower Society’s publications and talks; they are to preach to others the interpretation and message as presented in the Watchtower Society organization’s publications; but despite all of this, they are suppose to avoid mentioning the organization when questioned or describing the source of their activities.

This is further suspect, when throughout the organization's history they have stated that Jehovah’s Witnesses indeed, represent the organization. For instance, the Watchtower, January 15, 1950 issue on page 30 regarding United States District Assemblies of 1949 states:

"Each of the Witnesses believes himself or herself to be personally a witness in truth to God. They look to see the world regenerated. There must be no bar against a personal relationship with their God. In convention they seemed to have been led by representatives of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. They were told to put on their armor of God and go forth and preach the gospel as Jesus and His disciples did. They accept this command."

The July 22, 1984 Awake! article, ‘I Started Out A Warbird But Ended Up A Dove’, states on page 22:

"The year 1969 found our son married and my mother well taken care of. Mary Ann and I widened out in our ministry. We became traveling representatives of the Watchtower Society. I started out in my first assignment as circuit overseer-North Dakota Circuit Number One. My brother and his wife, Robert and Lee, entered the circuit work too."

Perhaps, this “avoid representing themselves as agents or representatives” of the organization is new light. After all, both of the above quotes are taking from writings prior to the February 1989 Kingdom Ministry.

That is far from the case as The Watchtower Society has also stated the following in their publications…

Watchtower, December 1, 2005, page 25, paragraph 10, ‘People "out of All the Languages" Hear the Good News’:

"Indeed, Jesus' command to "make disciples of people of all the nations" is being carried out! (Matthew 28:19) Eagerly embracing that commission, Jehovah's Witnesses are active in 235 lands, distributing literature in more than 400 languages. While Jehovah's organization provides the material needed to reach the people, the individual Kingdom publisher must take the initiative to convey the Bible's message to "people of all sorts" in the language they can best understand. (John 1:7) This united effort enables millions of people of various language groups to benefit from the good news"

Watchtower, March 1, 2006, page 16, ‘Knowing What Is Right and Doing It’:

"In 1959, Jehovah's organization instituted the Kingdom Ministry School. This worldwide training program helped circuit overseers, special pioneers, missionaries, and congregation elders to carry out their Scriptural responsibilities more effectively."

Watchtower, July 1, 2006, page 17, ‘They Delight to Do God's Will’:

"Chris and Leslie, a couple assigned to serve as missionaries in Bolivia, put it this way: "Since we have disowned ourselves, we want to make ourselves available to do anything in association with Jehovah's organization." (Mark 8:34) Jason and Chere, assigned to Albania, add: "Every assignment that we have received from Jehovah's organization has had its challenges."

Watchtower, November 15, 2006, page 11, ‘A School Whose Graduates Benefit People Worldwide’:

"In a number of cases, Witnesses who asked for time away from work were told that they would have no employment upon their return. They chose to receive training from Jehovah's organization, even though it meant losing their jobs..."

Watchtower, April 1, 2007, page 16, ‘The Disciple-Making Work Has Shaped My Life’:

"Then, unexpectedly, welcome provisions came from Jehovah's organization. Since September 2001, Our Kingdom Ministry has provided suggestions for presenting the magazines in addition to ideas for offering books and brochures to people of diverse religious persuasions."

Watchtower, September 15, 2007, page 19, ‘Jonathan-"It Was With God That He Worked"’:

"You may need courage to undertake some privilege of service within Jehovah's organization, such as expanding your ministry, accepting new privileges, or moving to serve where the need for Kingdom proclaimers is greater."

The Watchtower Society has learned to apply “Jehovah’s” before “organization” as an appeal to authority and to further indoctrinate the notion of what they claim and state is the will and purpose of God. Indeed the phrase, “Jehovah’s organization” has a much greater impact on a Jehovah’s Witness, rather than just stating “organization” or the “Watchtower Society”.

Make no mistake about it. Jehovah’s Witnesses represent the Watchtower Society organization. When they are knocking on doors and placing literature from the Watchtower Society organization, they are doing so in part, as instructed by that organization and that organization’s interpretation and instruction from their version of the Bible. The Watchtower Society keeps Jehovah’s Witnesses in a constant treadmill of activities in support of their organization.

The reason the Watchtower Society does not want Jehovah’s Witnesses to mention the organization when questioned is due to the legal ramifications. The Watchtower Society organization wields its power and control over its members yet does not want to be held accountable or responsible for the consequences and horrific impact some of its suggestions, teachings, and doctrine can and does have on its members.

Preaching From House to House

2009-09-08T13:14:00.019-04:00

Jehovah’s Witnesses are taught and will often teach others one of the reasons their religion is the true one is because of their 'house to house' preaching activity. Furthermore, they will state that it was a commandment from Jesus to do so.

It is an interesting discussion point, and it begs the question of whether preaching 'house to house' is a commandment from Jesus which leads to being a mark for a so-called true religion.

The literal phrase ‘house to house’ in the Watchtower Society’s published Bible, “The New World Translation” can be found three times in the Christian Greek section of the scriptures. The first two times we will discuss, support their doctrine concerning preaching ‘house to house’:

Acts 20:20 - "While I did not hold back from telling YOU any of the things that were profitable nor from teaching YOU publicly and from house to house."

Acts 5:42 - "And every day in the temple and from house to house they continued without letup teaching and declaring the good news about the Christ, Jesus."

In both of those scriptures, the words in the original Greek are “kata oikos” in which the Watchtower Society decided 'house to house' was the best interpretation to present. However, this phrase is better translated as ‘according to house’ as opposed to ‘house to house’. The Reference Bible of The New World Translation used by Jehovah’s Witnesses agrees with this, as the footnote of Acts 5:42 states:

[Literally] “according to house”.

Some other bible translations have also mistranslated the expression as 'house to house'. That is why it is key and vital to go back to the original Greek writings when there is conflict or doubt. A proper translation for 'house to house' would be the Greek phrase “oikia eis oikia”. To say the very least, the notion that 'kata oikos' refers to a literal 'house to house' ministry by the apostle Paul is disputable at best.

Interestingly, the phrase “oikia eis oikia” does appear in the original Greek manuscripts, but in another place. Here is also the third place we will look for the phrase ‘house to house’ in The New World Translation.

Luke 10:7 “So stay in that house, eating and drinking the things they provide, for the worker is worthy of his wages. Do not be transferring from house to house.”

This is Jesus speaking. While Paul's admonition in the Bible book of Acts is disputable to say the least, Jesus' command regarding the ministry is not to move from ‘house to house’. Other translations also show this to be Jesus’ command:

New International Version (NIV): "Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house."

American Standard Version (ASV): "And in that same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house."

New King James Version (NKJV): "And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house."

Young's Literal Translation (YLT): "And in that house remain, eating and drinking the things they have, for worthy [is] the workman of his hire; go not from house to house,"

English Standard Version (ESV): "And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house."

Additional scriptures that Jehovah’s Witnesses may fall back on (Such as Matthew 24:14 or Matthew 28:19, 20) concern preaching, but no-where are there any indication that it must be done 'house to house'.

Furthermore, when we look at other scriptures, it can provide valuable insight concerning what to be on the watch for during the “last days”. A scripture passage which many Jehovah’s Witnesses are familiar with and may at times focus on is from 2 Timothy 3: 1-5. Some may even be able to quote it verbatim.

Let’s though, take a look at the next verse. Let’s focus on 2 Timothy 3:6:

“For from these arise those men who slyly work their way into households and lead as their captives weak women loaded down with sins, led by various desires,”

The Bible is warning against people who "Slyly work their way into households". Could not this possibly be a warning about those who are coming to your home and trying to convince you that they have “the truth”? Young’s Literal Translation phrases it this way:

"[F]or of these there are those coming into the houses and leading captive the silly women, laden with sins, led away with desires manifold,"

The New International Version puts it ever so clearly:

“They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires,"

When pondering the above, do not forget that the Watchtower Society used Johannes Greber’s translation as justification for their actions when it came to the omitting or adding of words to the New World Translation for decades, this is despite the fact that they knew he was into occult practices.

Most importantly, research; while Jesus did make mention of preaching, the notion of it comprising of a ‘house to house’ activity (Which is the majority of Jehovah’s Witnesses preaching) is not present in the scriptures. When you read Luke chapter 10 in its entirety, Jesus provides directions to his disciples, breaking them into groups, they were to stay in the house which had received the message favorably and not go from ‘house to house’. Verse 7 of chapter 10 shows that succinctly, and first century Christians handled their ministry in that manner. They did not preach from ‘house to house’ in the manner Jehovah's Witnesses do today.

A huge factor as to why Jehovah’s Witnesses are preaching ‘house to house’ is because the Watchtower Society tells them that’s what they need to do. It is a part of the Watchtower Society’s teaching of one working towards or earning their salvation. Jesus never instructed such a thing and even the version of the Bible Jehovah’s Witnesses are instructed to primarily use, The New World Translation, bears witness to the fact…

Do not be transferring from house to house.

Dead Cleanup - A Privilege And Joyous Work

2009-08-19T10:35:00.015-04:00

Lately, the Watchtower Society has been stressing in their teaching sessions for Jehovah's Witnesses the importance of cleanliness. This includes articles from The Watchtower, December 1, 2008 issue, as well as in the recent Congregation Book Study meetings from the publication, Keep Yourselves In God's Love. Part of the history and teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses includes the belief that survivors of Armageddon have the privilege of burying the dead ones who are destroyed during that time. This (in general) means ~7 billion dead being handled by some of the ~7 million Jehovah's Witnesses survivors.

Their burying of dead ones is based on the Watchtower Society's interpretation of the scripture found in Ezekiel 39:14-16. From The New World Translation, it reads as follows:

"‘And there will be men for continual [employment] whom they will divide off, passing along through the land, burying, with those passing through, those left remaining on the surface of the earth, in order to cleanse it. To the end of seven months they will keep making search. And those passing through must pass along through the land, and should one actually see the bone of a man he must also build beside it a marker, until those who do the burying will have buried it in the Valley of Gog’s Crowd. And the name of [the] city will also be Ha·mo´nah. And they will have to cleanse the land.’"

As the Watchtower Society often does, instead of just applying the passage in the context and times of which it had occurred or was written for, they claim there is a future, or sometimes referred to as a greater fulfillment of scripture. Again, this is according to the Watchtower Society's interpretation. It has resulted in the following spiritual food for Jehovah's Witnesses...

The Watchtower, August 1, 1956, page 465, paragraph 17, from the article entitled, Jehovah’s Message Against Gog of Magog, states:

"With such a glorious feast of victory concluded, only the bones, bones from one end of the earth to the other, will be left for burial. What a task that will be for the survivors, to cleanse the earth of every remaining evidence of Gog’s forces! Even with the work well organized it will take seven months, Jehovah says, just to bury the bones. Scouting corps will be sent out on a full-time basis to search the land thoroughly and, when bones are found, markers will be set up for those with the spades and shovels who follow. (Ezek. 39:14, 15) Those privileged to share in that cleanup work will not view it as a revolting and disgusting assignment but will rejoice to be alive when Gog’s long and oppressive rule has come to an end and when the wicked are no more. Survivors of Armageddon will be happy and will greatly rejoice to have a share in preparing the earth for a global paradise of beauty and perfection under the reign of the King Christ Jesus. But first, before that happy day, this message against Gog must be delivered in its completeness."

What a task, indeed! Just think all those neighbors and family members who refuse to believe the Watchtower Society's interpretation of matters as overseen and directed by a few men in Brooklyn calling themselves the Governing Body will need to be buried - Perhaps by your own hand if you're one of Jehovah's Witnesses; all those elderly ones and all those children. And they will not find this revolting or disgusting, but Jehovah's Witnesses will rejoice.

But this good news that Jehovah's Witnesses have did not stop in 1956, as a one time teaching. Perhaps, the light had brightened. Jehovah's Witnesses really won't have to clean up the dead, including those whom they loved and known for so many years, right?

According to the Watchtower August 1, 1961 page 469, paragraph 17, from the article entitled, Enlarging Your Privileges of Service, Jehovah's Witnesses are informed:

"After God’s execution of judgment upon the wicked in his war of Armageddon, the earthly subjects of the King will have before them a world-wide cleanup program that will eclipse anything this globe has ever seen. Countless numbers of human dead will have to be buried. (Ezek. 39:11-16)"

Evidently, the future world-wide cleanup program of dead loved ones is still in effect. Jehovah's Witnesses should get a good look at those not Jehovah's Witnesses around them, as the majority of them will possibly be buried by their hands. Not to fret over it though, after all according to the Watchtower Society, it is a way in which one can enlarge their 'privilege of service'. And what a fine privilege this will be. According to surveys taken by such organizations as the Pew, upwards of over 60% of Jehovah's Witness children leave the religion. In knowing that information, it surely leads to a fine privilege for Jehovah's Witness parents to look forward too.

More good news, such spiritual truths did not end in 1961 either. In the Watchtower Society publication published in 1971, The Nations Shall Know That I Am Jehovah - How?, chapter 20, Land of Magog No More to Threaten Mankind, pages 374-375, paragraph 15, states:

"The "new earth" of human society under Jehovah’s Messianic kingdom of the heavens in the hands of "David my servant" must be perfectly clean of all traces of Gog’s crowd. To make a vivid picture of this, the "utterance of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah" goes on to say respecting the survivors of Gog’s attack: "And there will be men for continual employment whom they will divide off, passing along through the land, burying, with those passing through, those left remaining on the surface of the earth, in order to cleanse it. To the end of seven months they will keep making search. And those passing through must pass along through the land, and should one actually see the bone of a man he must also build beside it a marker, until those who do the burying will have buried it in the Valley of Gog’s Crowd. And the name of the city will also be Hamonah. And they will have to cleanse the land."—Ezekiel 39:14-16."

So here we have a somewhat brighter or clarifying light helping Jehovah's Witnesses to appreciate that in order for human society to be "perfectly clean" this burying of dead ones is necessary. Is it not comforting to know, that Jehovah's Witnesses possibly burying their family and others they may care so much about is needed for them to obtain perfect cleanliness?

Jehovah's Witnesses are taught not to speculate on matters, but let's ponder this for a moment:

- Who receives the blessing of burying the remains of babies and toddlers?
- Does each Jehovah's Witness head have the honor and privilege of burying their dead family members?
- Will Elders or/and Ministerial Servants have to bury those in the congregation who didn't quite make it pass Armageddon?
- Does a son receive the privilege of burying their father, and fathers the privilege of burying their son? Perhaps even mothers and daughters can be involved in this wonderful and joyous work.

What a privilege to be known and taught as Jehovah's Witnesses!

True Christians Are Clean

2009-08-04T11:08:00.013-04:00

For the week commencing August 3, 2009 Jehovah’s Witnesses are covering material in the Watchtower Society’s publication Keep Yourselves In God's Love, entailing pages 86-96, Chapter 8, 'God Loves Clean People'.

Directing our attention to paragraph 10 it states the following:

"Today, we as true Christians must be careful not to become contaminated by false worship. (1 Corinthians 10:21) Caution is essential in this regard, for the influence of false religion is pervasive. In many lands, various traditions, activities, and rituals are connected with false religious teachings, such as the notion that something inside us survives death. (Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6, 10) True Christians avoid customs involving false religious beliefs. We will not allow pressure from others to cause us to compromise the Bible's standards of clean worship.-Acts 5:29."

Are Jehovah's Witnesses truly fed the above concepts consistently by the Governing Body through the various pages of the Watchtower Society's publications? Do they truly practice the above sentiments?

Take the Watchtower Society's teaching on Piñatas, per September 22, 2003, Awake!, page 24, 'The Piñata - An Ancient Tradition':

"We found that for many people in Mexico, the piñata has lost its religious significance and is considered by most to be just harmless fun...A main concern is, not what the practice meant hundreds of years ago, but how it is viewed today in your area. Understandably, opinions may vary from one place to another. Hence, it is wise to avoid turning such matters into big issues."

Meanwhile, the origin of the Piñata and the history behind it shows usage attached to celebrating the coming of Spring and part of the Posada in the Catholic culture. Furthermore, it symbolizes sins and the breaking of the Piñata equates to the destroying of sins, while the flowing candy and treats from the broken Piñata symbolizes the forgiveness of sins and the releasing of blessings.

The Watchtower Society makes the point in the study lesson of the sited paragraph 10 that "...rituals are connected with false religious teachings, such as the notion that something inside us survives death."

How quickly they must have forgotten what they were just teaching at the Book Study not too long ago…

According to Revelation – Its Grand Climax At Hand! - Both the original 1988 and 2006 revision - on page 125 it states:

“It is fitting, then, that one of the 24 elders representing anointed ones already in heaven, should stir John's thinking...(Revelation 7:13, 14a) Yes, that elder could locate the answer and give it to John. This suggests that resurrected ones of the 24-elders group may be involved in the communicating of divine truths today.”

The Watchtower Society believes and teaches that dead anointed members [Those of which according to Watchtower Society doctrine are of a literal 144,000 individuals] have involvement in communicating divine truths to living Jehovah’s Witnesses.

What further things have Jehovah's Witnesses been taught? Looking up information in the Watchtower Society's 'Watchtower Library CD-ROM', the Watchtower, January 15, 1972 on page 64 makes the following statement concerning wedding rings:

"Of course, a wedding ring is by no means a Christian requirement. One Christian might decide not to wear a wedding ring, because of conscience, personal taste, cost, local custom, or some other reason. Yet another Christian might decide to indicate his married status by means of a wedding ring. Hence, in the final analysis the decision is a personal one, to be made in accord with the conscientious views one holds."

That is an odd stance to take from an organization that is supposed to be representing God's “clean” servants. Wearing a wedding ring is a conscience choice. However, like the Piñata, if one was to perform some research they would find pagan and false religious origins attached to it. In fact, the whole wedding ceremony which is practiced by Jehovah's Witnesses, including the wedding party, dressing up, and many other activities also are of pagan and false religious origins. Why is it okay for Jehovah's Witnesses to practice these things? Undoubtedly, it is given the same 'pass' approval decided by the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses for Piñatas.

Inconsistent teachings including wishy-washy stances on activities and items that clearly originate from pagan and so-called false religious beliefs and practices is intertwined with what is taught to and practiced by Jehovah's Witnesses. This is inclusive of the notion that dead Jehovah's Witnesses are providing instruction and direction to current living members. How are Jehovah's Witnesses truly "clean" as they fail the same standards they set for everyone else?

The conclusion of the matter is Jehovah's Witnesses are given a perceived 'cleanliness' focused on certain things while overlooking other areas; all based on the publications of the Watchtower Society, decided upon by a few men who call themselves the Governing Body.

Alpha And Omega

2009-07-09T13:13:00.003-04:00

Using the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Published by the Watchtower Society), read Revelation 1:8. It states that Jehovah is the Alpha and the Omega:

“I am the Al´pha and the O·me´ga,” says Jehovah God, “the One who is and who was and who is coming, the Almighty.”

In any other Bible Translation, Revelation 1:8 is referring to Jesus. Other Bible translations simply render the verse as follows:

New International Version - "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."

New American Standard Bible - "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

English Standard Version - "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

New King James Version - “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, ”says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Young's Literal Translation - `I am the Alpha and the Omega, beginning and end, saith the Lord, who is, and who was, and who is coming -- the Almighty.'

Remember though, according to the Watchtower Society’s translation of the scripture, it inserts the name Jehovah into the verse. Despite the fact that the Tetragrammaton does not appear in any of the Bible scrolls for this Bible verse. Nonetheless, for argument sake, let’s stick with the notion that the Watchtower Society is right respecting Jehovah and not Jesus being spoken of in Revelation 1:8.

Then, turn to Revelation chapter 22. If you read the entire chapter it is speaking about Jesus – the one who is coming quickly. Even if you read Revelation 22 from the New World Translation, it plainly shows that Jesus is the one being referred to and he is the Alpha and the Omega as stated in Revelation 22:13. To show such is not being taken out of context we will site from verse 10 onward of chapter 22:

"10 He also tells me: “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, for the appointed time is near. 11 He that is doing unrighteousness, let him do unrighteousness still; and let the filthy one be made filthy still; but let the righteous one do righteousness still, and let the holy one be made holy still.

12 “‘Look! I am coming quickly, and the reward I give is with me, to render to each one as his work is. 13 I am the Al´pha and the O·me´ga, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. 14 Happy are those who wash their robes, that the authority [to go] to the trees of life may be theirs and that they may gain entrance into the city by its gates. 15 Outside are the dogs and those who practice spiritism and the fornicators and the murderers and the idolaters and everyone liking and carrying on a lie.’

16 “‘I, Jesus, sent my angel to bear witness to YOU people of these things for the congregations. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright morning star.’”

17 And the spirit and the bride keep on saying: “Come!” And let anyone hearing say: “Come!” And let anyone thirsting come; let anyone that wishes take life’s water free.

18 “I am bearing witness to everyone that hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone makes an addition to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this scroll; 19 and if anyone takes anything away from the words of the scroll of this prophecy, God will take his portion away from the trees of life and out of the holy city, things which are written about in this scroll.

20 “He that bears witness of these things says, ‘Yes; I am coming quickly.’”
“Amen! Come, Lord Jesus.”

21 [May] the undeserved kindness of the Lord Jesus Christ [be] with the holy ones."

By its very definition only God can be the Alpha and the Omega (‘The First and the Last’ of everything).

So which is it? If you believe most other translations of Revelation 1:8 including: The New International Version, The New King James Version, The English Standard Version, New American Standard, Young’s Literal Translation, etc., Jesus is the Alpha and Omega at both Revelation 1:8 and Revelation 22:13.

Again, the Alpha and the Omega by its very definition (‘The First and The Last’ of everything) can only be God. That of course would be a huge problem for Jehovah’s Witnesses as they are taught Jesus is not God according to their Organization's Governing Body.

If you believe, the New World Translation of the Scriptures as published by the Watchtower Society, then at Revelation 1:8, Jehovah is the Alpha and the Omega, and at Revelation 22:13, Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega. How can that be so? How can both Jehovah and Jesus be the Alpha and the Omega?

Is not it interesting too that the Bible ends speaking of Jesus Christ and not Jehovah?

Unique?

2009-06-23T11:49:00.007-04:00

Jehovah's Witnesses will often pride themselves believing they stand out from all other religions in the world today. They alone have and teach the truth. Let's examine such claims.

Teaching/Beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses parallel Christadelphians in many areas. This is inclusive of but not limited to:

-State that their beliefs are based wholly on the Bible.
-They believe that God is the creator of all things and the father of true believers, that he is a separate being from his son, Jesus Christ.
-Jesus is the promised Messiah, in whom the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament find their fulfillment.
-After death, believers are in a state of non-existence, knowing nothing until the Resurrection.
-Reject a number of doctrines held by many other Christians, notably the immortality of the soul, trinitarianism, the baptism of infants, and the personhood of the Holy Spirit.
-Hell is understood to refer to death and the grave, rather than being a place of eternal torment.
-Organized into local congregations.
-Women are typically not eligible to teach.
-Refuse to participate in any military because they are conscientious objectors.
-A strong emphasis on personal Bible reading and study.

Those are just some of the similarities. Any credit for the above given to Jehovah's Witnesses can equally be given to Christadelphians.

Teaching/Beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses parallel House of Yahweh as well:

-Membership of all races from nations all over the globe welcoming all "who will repent of sin and follow Yahweh's Law."
-Claims to be associated with no other faith and indeed asserts that other faiths, especially Christianity, are corrupt and false.
-Believes it is the one true faith, as revealed by the Creator from the beginning, and reestablished again in what they believe are the prophesied end times.
-Christmas, Easter, and birthdays are not celebrated.
-Once a year on the evening before Passover, members hold a solemn observance Memorial, referring to the Last Supper of Jesus Christ.
-Yahweh is the only one who deserves worship or adoration, and is the sovereign and only creator and ruler of the universe.
-Yahshua Messiah gave all glory, honor and obedience to Yahweh who is not a trinity, but one individual being with no equal or partners.
-They publish an edition of the Bible, which removes any and all words or concepts which are thought to be pagan corruptions.

Again, these are just some of the similarities. Any credit for the above given to Jehovah's Witnesses can equally be given to House of Yahweh. Further, arguably 'Yahweh' is closer to the pronunciation of the Father's name than 'Jehovah'.

The reality is there are hundreds of areas to measure upon, and two extremes for each area. The Jehovah's Witnesses have been taught to take preaching to one extreme (imagining it is the most important of God's commandments), but then love (which actually is the most important) they can take to the opposite extreme (Love is disposable). For example, see where the love goes once an individual disassociates themselves from the organization or is disfellowshipped, despite the reason(s).

Since the individuals running the Watchtower Society are imperfect, their teachings are imperfect; they are therefore really no different from anyone else's imperfect teachings. Would God smite one religion because they only got it 85% "correct", and another got it 87% "correct"? Does the religion which has 75% of the teachings "right" have God's favor over the one with only 50% "right"? No God would be so shallow or stupid.

Truth is Jehovah's Witnesses are deep into Restorationism similar to their Seventh-day Adventists roots. Restorationism applies to the Restoration Movement and numerous other movements that originated in the United States and grew in the early and mid 19th century. It refers to the belief held by various religious movements that pristine or original Christianity should be restored, while usually claiming to be the source of that restoration. This is also seen in the religions mentioned earlier as well as Latter Day Saints (Mormons).

Jehovah's Witnesses are also into Millenarianism; which is the belief by a religious, social, or political group or movement in a coming major transformation of society, after which all things will be changed in a positive direction. While it is true there are groups involved in Millenarianism since centuries ago, dozens of books promoting Millenarianism were published in the first three decades of the 19th century, and many new Millenarian societies were formed since then. A short list of millenarian groups besides Jehovah’s Witnesses includes:

-Aum Supreme Truth
-Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University
-Branch Davidians
-Dulcinianism
-Heaven's Gate
-Hinduism
-Hojjatieh
-Joachimites
-Judaism
-Plymouth Brethren
-Rastafari Movement
-Shakers
-Taiping Rebellion
-The Living Church of God
-The Lord's Resistance Army
-Yellow Turbans

Jehovah's Witnesses are not unique with their teachings and beliefs. There are hundreds of thousands of faiths and beliefs in the world. Jehovah's Witnesses are just another one of them with a proven history of inaccurate teachings, flip-flopping of doctrine, and false prophesy. How can they be the 'true religion' or sole communication of truth God is using today?

Piñatas – Harmless Fun!

2009-06-11T14:44:00.010-04:00

Here's an interesting article printed by the Watchtower Society receiving of course its approval from the faithful and discreet slave class of Jehovah's Witnesses not too long ago. From the September 22, 2003, Awake!, page 24, 'The Piñata - An Ancient Tradition':

"We found that for many people in Mexico, the piñata has lost its religious significance and is considered by most to be just harmless fun...A main concern is, not what the practice meant hundreds of years ago, but how it is viewed today in your area. Understandably, opinions may vary from one place to another. Hence, it is wise to avoid turning such matters into big issues."

The Watchtower Society picks and chooses what lost its "religious significance" and is harmless as opposed to other things which may have less than favorable origins which are off limits for Jehovah's Witnesses.

Keeping in mind the Piñata reasoning above, notice how a contradicting viewpoint is stated here in the publication known to Jehovah's Witnesses as the Bible Teach book, in chapter 16, 'Take Your Stand For True Worship', paragraph 12 on page 159:

"Some agree that such holidays as Christmas have pagan origins but still feel that it is not wrong to celebrate them. After all, most people are not thinking about false worship when they observe holidays. These occasions also give families opportunities to draw close together...Maybe you feel that the origins of holidays have little to do with how they are celebrated today. Do origins really matter? Yes! To illustrate: Suppose you saw a piece of candy lying in the gutter. Would you pick up that candy and eat it? Of course not! That candy is unclean. Like that candy, holidays may seem sweet, but they have been picked up from unclean places. To take a stand for true worship, we need to have a viewpoint like that of the prophet Isaiah, who told true worshipers: “Touch nothing unclean.” —Isaiah 52:11."

The Governing Body spreads their hypocritical and contradictory stances through the various pages of Watchtower Society publications. Unfortunately, many Jehovah's Witnesses don't see it. However, let's make it crystal clear with a little research on Piñatas:

History of Piñatas...The origin of the Piñata is Chinese not Hispanic. It was used to celebrate the coming of spring. As a result of Marco Polo's adventures into China, he introduced this Chinese custom which was adopted by the Spanish as well as by the French and Italians. The Spanish brought this custom to the new world when they conquered Mexico. The Piñata became part of the Posada in the Catholic culture.

Symbols...The original & traditional Piñata has seven points symbolizing the seven deadly sins: envy, sloth, gluttony, greed, lust, anger/wrath, and pride. The ten pointed Piñata symbolizes the sins that come from breaking the Ten Commandments. The stick which is used to break the Piñata represents and symbolizes love. It is suppose to destroy the sins by hitting and breaking the Piñata into pieces. The candies and treats that come pouring out from the broken Piñata symbolize the forgiveness of sins and a new beginning. In the Mexican Catholic celebration of Christmas, the Piñata is traditionally shaped like a seven-pointed star which represents the devil and the seven deadly sins, while the contents are the goods or blessings he is withholding. Striking the devil with faith, symbolized by being blindfolded, releases the blessings.

Do your own research on Piñatas and find the above to be true.

How does the Watchtower Society justify their view towards Piñatas using such statements as...

"...considered by most to be just harmless fun."
"A main concern is, not what the practice meant hundreds of years ago, but how it is viewed today in your area."
"...it is wise to avoid turning such matters into big issues."

...while taking such a hard-line stand against holidays, birthdays, flags, and other things and celebrations which are not viewed the same way they were years ago and is just harmless fun?

The logic and reasoning the Watchtower Society uses makes no sense whatsoever. If you are not taking a stand against Piñatas, why take a hard-line stance against other things with religious and pagan origins? Piñatas are steeped with both pagan and religious ties. Why and how is Piñatas harmless fun but things such as Easter Eggs, Christmas Trees and New Year's celebrations are unacceptable for Jehovah's Witnesses?

Investigate, question, and think of the contradictions and hypocrisy taught to and by Jehovah's Witnesses.

Shun - Hate - Kill

2009-05-27T10:27:00.009-04:00

For well over half a century the Watchtower Society has made its doctrine and feelings clear on the matter of those who leave the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses.

The Watchtower, November 15, 1952, page 703, Questions from Readers:

"In the case of where a father or mother or son or daughter is disfellowshipped [disassociated], how should such person be treated by members of the family in their family relationship?

We are not living today among theocratic nations where such members of our fleshly family relationship could be exterminated for apostasy from God and his theocratic organization, as was possible and was ordered in the nation of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai and in the land of Palestine. . . Being limited by the laws of the worldly nation in which we live and also by the laws of God through Jesus Christ, we can take action against apostates only to a certain extent, that is, consistent with both sets of laws. The law of the land and God’s law through Christ forbid us to kill apostates, even though they be members of our own flesh-and-blood family relationship. However, God’s law requires us to recognize their being disfellowshipped from his congregation."

The message to Jehovah's Witnesses above is a family member should be killed as they were exterminated (Stoned to death) for apostasy among "theocratic nations". The only things stopping them are the law of the land and God's law through Christ. Basically, too bad such laws are in place or else we would stone our apostate fleshly family members to death!

The Watchtower, July 15, 1961, page 420:

"Jesus encouraged his followers to love their enemies, but God's Word also says to "hate what is bad." When a person persists in a way of badness after knowing what is right, when the bad becomes so ingrained that it is an inseparable part of his make-up, then in order to hate what is bad a Christian must hate the person with whom the badness is inseparably linked."

The Watchtower Society's message is clear. Despite Jesus' teaching to love your enemy, the principle to hate what is bad must be followed to a superlative degree. It is not just to hate what a person has done, but to hate the person.

Our Kingdom Ministry, August 2002, Page 4, paragraph 12:

"Benefits of Being Loyal to Jehovah: Cooperating with the Scriptural arrangement to disfellowship and shun unrepentant wrongdoers is beneficial."

As time has progressed and the Watchtower Society is being exposed for its destructive cult-like doctrines such as those regarding treatment of ex-members, notions of killing apostates and hating people have taken a slightly softer tone. In more recent years, they don't make such brazen statements as exterminate, kill, and hate. Rather, the article quoted above uses the key-phrase "shun unrepentant wrongdoers". Note too, just before such a statement is made, the phrase "Being Loyal to Jehovah" is stated. By doing so, the intent is to equate loyalty to Jehovah to shunning those who are ex-members.

Keep Yourselves In God's Love (2008), Appendix, How To Treat A Disfellowshipped Person:

"Is strict avoidance really necessary? Yes...Loyal Christian family members do not look for excuses to have dealings with a disfellowshipped relative not living at home...Bible principles on this subject apply equally to those who disassociate themselves from the congregation."

If there is still any confusion on the matter, one of the Watchtower Society's more recent publications once again emphasizes their feelings. However, again over the course of time, people continue to educate themselves and many know that shunning is used in cults and high-level control groups. The Watchtower Society avoids using the word "shun". Nonetheless, their counsel and directions are to do just that to those who defy them.

Shun? Hate? Kill? The ideas and notions from the Watchtower Society through their twisted interpretation of scripture and warped viewpoint is so far from the teachings of Jesus Christ as found in the Bible. For the organization to indoctrinate their members in such a way is in part what brings people to see Jehovah's Witnesses as a dangerous and destructive cult.

The Shunning Hypocrisy

2009-05-22T10:22:00.012-04:00

The publication Keep Yourselves In God's Love published by the Watchtower Society and started to be distributed in 2008, states the following under the section 'How To Treat A Disfellowship Person':

"How we respond to the Bible's direction on this matter can reveal the depth of our love for God and of our loyalty to his arrangement...We do not have spiritual or social fellowship with disfellowshipped ones...A Simple 'Hello' to someone can be the first step that develops into a conversation and maybe even a friendship...Is strict avoidance really necessary? Yes...Although there might be a need for limited contact on some rare occasion to care for a necessary family matter, any such contact should be kept to a minimum."

Additionally, the '[Footnote]' section states the following:

"Bible principles on this subject apply equally to those who disassociate themselves from the congregation."

The Watchtower Society's Governing Body is instructing Jehovah's Witnesses to shun individuals. Indeed, one should not even say 'Hello' to a disfellowshipped or disassociated person. Strict avoidance is necessary according to the Watchtower Society. The Governing Body is manipulating the thinking and actions of Jehovah's Witnesses respecting people who are their friends and family members but no longer an active Jehovah's Witness. Through their interpretation of scriptures, the Watchtower Society is directing Jehovah's Witnesses that following such admonition measures their love and loyalty to God.

However, such directions are hypocritical and the Governing Body is imposing a double standard. The reason for this is clearly evident when one reads the July 2009 Awake! article "The Bible's Viewpoint - Is It Wrong to Change Your Religion?” The following statements are made:

"The Bible assures us that God wants us to "really find him". Since our Creator wants us to search for truth, it cannot be wrong to act on the evidence we find - even if that means changing our religion...God allows each person the freedom to choose how he or she will respond. 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."

The Awake! article stresses that one should not feel forced to worship in a way that is unacceptable to them. A person who disassociates themselves from Jehovah's Witnesses has found that religion's way of worship unacceptable. Nonetheless, by the Watchtower Society's teachings as found in their publications such as Keep Yourselves In God's Love, family and friends are torn apart if not completely destroyed when one no longer chooses to be a part of the Watchtower Society's organization.

The Governing Body's hypocritical double standard on this matter is sickening. In effect the message is everyone has the God given freedom and right to change religion without the consequence of choosing between belief and those dear to them, except if you are a Jehovah's Witness. You leave the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses then you lose your family and friends who are Jehovah's Witnesses by being shunned.

As a Jehovah's Witness, the instructions and admonition you receive is your loyalty and love for the Watchtower Society organization equates to your loyalty and love for God. That is twisted and very cultish.

Voting - What Jehovah's Witnesses Are Instructed

2009-05-01T09:10:00.008-04:00

What is the definitive stance of Jehovah's Witnesses doctrine regarding voting? It depends on what point in time you are reviewing their teachings.

It is a conscience choice according to the November 15, 1950, issue of the Watchtower, on pages 445 and 446 in the article ‘Subjection to the Higher Powers’:

"Likewise where Caesar makes it compulsory for citizens to vote. After they have registered and when election day comes, they can go to the polls and enter the voting booths. It is here that they are called upon to mark the ballot or write in what they stand for. The voters do what they will with their ballots. So here in the presence of God is where his witnesses must act in harmony with his commandments and in accordance with their faith. It is not our responsibility to instruct them what to do with the ballot. They must act in accord with their conscience as enlightened by the study of God's Word."

23 years later and the Watchtower Society is providing this information to Jehovah's Witnesses:

The Watchtower, October 15, 1973, on page 627 in the article entitled: ‘Why People of All Kinds Are Becoming Jehovah's Witnesses’ it states:

"“You gave me the right answer to the first question,” said the man, “but you probably won’t answer the next one right. I am looking for a religion which has absolutely nothing to do with politics. Do you have anything to do with politics?” Informed that Jehovah’s Witnesses keep separate from all politics, not even voting, the man was indeed surprised. Eventually a Bible study was started with him and his wife. Now both of them are baptized witnesses of Jehovah."

The Watchtower, December 15, 1973, page 741 in the article ‘Earth’s Rulers for a Thousand Years’ states:

"They do not have the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand. That is, they do not have the identification as slaves of the state and do not lend an active hand in carrying on its worldly activities, often beastly. They do not run for political offices, or vote for political candidates."

For a Jehovah's Witness the above direction was to be applied to their life personally. Voting is clearly not allowed per the Watchtower Society if you were one of Jehovah's Witnesses at this time. Furthermore, this stance continued to be sustained even 13 years later:

The Watchtower, September 1, 1986 issue, page 21:

"They do not seek or offer compromises…To serve in the army, to vote, or to give the Hitler salute would have meant a recognition of the claims of this world as dominant over the claims of God."

To go against the directions of the Watchtower Society, the consequences would have been devastating. For the Elder's manual, Pay Attention To Yourselves and to All the Flock regarding the revision being used at that time (Copyright 1981) stipulates the following on page 149 under point '(4) Neutrality':

"Jehovah's Witnesses are neutral with regard to political and military affairs of the nations. They do not interfere with what others do as to voting in political offices, running for or campaigning for political offices, joining the military, etc. Since true dedicated Christians are "no part of the world," if one pursues a course in violation of his Christian neutrality, he disassociates himself from the neutral Christian congregation...treated as one disfellowshipped.”

Thereby, if a Jehovah's Witness was to vote when the Watchtower Society stated it was not allowed, it would be seen as an act of disassociating oneself and they would be treated as one disfellowshipped.

But wait, another 13 years later after the 1986 Watchtower article, new light shines forth from the Watchtower Society.

The Watchtower, November 1, 1999, ‘Questions for Readers’, on pages 28 and 29:

"How do Jehovah's Witnesses view voting?...there appears to be no principle against the practice of voting itself...As to whether they will personally vote for someone running in an election, each one of Jehovah’s Witnesses makes a decision based on his Bible-trained conscience and an understanding of his responsibility to God and to State...If someone decides to go to the polling booth that is his decision. What he does in the polling booth is between him and his Creator...There may be people who are stumbled when they observe that during an election in their country, some Witnesses of Jehovah go to the polling booth and others do not...in matters of individual conscience such as this, each Christian has to make his own decision before Jehovah God."

Their stance has gone full circle. They are back to their doctrinal position from 1950.

If you ask many Jehovah's Witnesses today, they may still believe that voting is absolutely wrong according to God and the Bible and they do not have a conscience choice in the matter. Indeed, they may believe that 'true Christians’ do not vote. After all, the Watchtower Society taught Jehovah's Witnesses for years that was the case. Nonetheless, the Watchtower Society has proven once again another doctrinal teaching in which they flip-flop on:

1950 - Conscience choice
1973 - Do not vote
1986 - Do not vote
1999 - Conscience choice

Furthermore, we should not forgot all the Jehovah's Witnesses who either lost their life in such places as Cameroon, Africa during the 1970's and 80's or were beaten, tortured, imprisoned, and starved for following what they believed is God's direction and stance regarding voting.

Does this type of doctrinal position read as coming from an organization exclusively chosen and directed by God? Would anyone want to be led by such an organization? These questions are important to ponder, especially in light of the fact that the bloodguilt and misdirection of the Watchtower Society is undeniable.

What Jehovah’s Witnesses are taught regarding a matter as being “the truth”, as in the area of voting can change to become something different and yet change again to a former belief. Not only do the consequences affect an individual’s freedom, following the Watchtower Society’s teaching can cost you your well-being if not your life.

True Religion From God’s Standpoint

2009-04-10T10:46:00.010-04:00

At the conclusion of the Watchtower Society's version of commemorating the Lord's Evening Meal and remembering the sacrifice of Jesus, an announcement was made regarding a "Special Talk" which will be delivered on Sunday, April 26, 2009 throughout every single Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The title of the discourse is “Is There A True Religion From God’s Standpoint?”

Here are some of the main points taken directly from the Watchtower Society's outline for that Public Talk.

From the section entitled, 'Inspecting the Fruitage of Religious Beliefs' it makes the statement:

"We must examine religion by its fruitage; if a religion allows or promotes practices that the Bible condemns, is it measuring up to God’s standards?"

The Bible condemns adding to the Word of God. This is emphasized in such scriptural passages as: Deuteronomy 4:2, Deuteronomy 12:32, Proverbs 30:5-6 and Revelation 22:18-19.

What does the Watchtower Society allow and promote?

The December 15, 2008 Watchtower on page 28 states:

“Our coming to know “the truth” – the entire body of Christian teachings that has become part of the Bible – and adhering to it are essential for salvation.”

Yes, "the truth" (Which is the interpretation and beliefs as taught by the Watchtower Society) has become part of the Bible according to the Watchtower magazine which is promoted and reviewed by the Governing Body, serving as spiritual food for Jehovah's Witnesses.

Another statement we will examine is from the section, 'Practice Religion That Is True From God's Standpoint' which is taken from the same outline. It states:

"True religion encourages everyone to examine the Scriptures and prove to themselves the perfect will of God (Ro 12:2)"

While it may seem at times, even often the Watchtower Society encourages Bible Reading (Especially with their New World Translation of the Scriptures), what also do they tell Jehovah's Witnesses?

From Our Kingdom Ministry, September 2007, page 3, Question Box:

"Does the "faithful and discreet slave" endorse independent groups of Witnesses who meet together to engage in Scriptural research or debate?

No, it does not."

Indeed, the Watchtower Society does not want Jehovah's Witnesses doing Scriptural research on their own. What the organization is really doing is encouraging examining the scriptures with the influence, meetings and publications of the Watchtower Society.

And why would that be the case?

According to the Watchtower, August 15, 1981 issue, page 29, paragraph 14:

"They say that it is sufficient to read the Bible exclusively, either alone or in small groups at home. But, strangely, through such ‘Bible reading,' they have reverted right back to the apostate doctrines that commentaries by Christendom's clergy were teaching 100 years ago..."

Does it not make sense that if Jehovah's Witnesses are a "true religion", reading the Bible would bring you to the conclusion of Jehovah's Witnesses doctrine as set by the Watchtower Society and not the doctrines typically found in as the Watchtower Society likes to call it, Christendom? The Watchtower Society in no uncertain terms states that if you read the Bible either alone or in small groups exclusively, it brings you to the teachings and doctrines of Christendom.

Finally, as the last statement made in the talk outline stresses:

"Examine the evidence for yourself..."

Please do so. The "true religion" standard the Watchtower Society sets for others, it cannot even meet itself. Make sure too when examining the evidence you don’t miss the false prophesying, false interpretation of prophesy, and the flip-flopping of doctrine by the Watchtower Society presented as “the truth” to Jehovah’s Witnesses.

1914 - Part II: Worst of Times

2009-04-08T15:13:00.025-04:00

One of the lines of reasoning Jehovah's Witnesses are taught respecting 1914 being the start of the end times or last days, concerns the notion that starting in 1914 world conditions continue to worsen undisputedly on an unprecedented scale like never before in human history.

Is this true? Has society and people in general as well as world conditions been increasing worse since 1914? Does 1914 and onward prove to be the worst time in human history?

For someone unfamiliar with history, it may appear to be the case. However, let's take one slice of history – The 14th Century -- to see how bad things could be today.

The Black Death (aka Black Plague) struck the world earlier in the 14th century. That one plague alone wiped out between 40-50 percent of the entire population of Europe. For something even just equivalent to strike today, the death toll in Europe would be somewhere between 300-350 million deaths from one disease.

Some years during the 14th century were worse than others. For instance, England had a population of five or six million in 1348. Within a year Black Death killed half of them. Could you imagine in a year, Europe losing half of its population to disease?

Parents would abandon their children once they were ill and showing what was called "God's Tokens" which were red rings on the skin where the blood vessels were leaking into tissue. Imagine parents by the dozen, even hundreds abandoning and leaving their children. If the equivalent was to occur today, it would mean hundreds to thousands upon thousands of parents abandoning their sick children. Again, it wouldn't make these times worse just equal to the 14th century.

Furthermore, during the 14th century if disease didn't strike you, dying on the battlefield could be a likely result for you. The most infamous of these battles was the Hundred Years War; a war which spanned decade, upon decade, upon decade, and still continued, living up to the title it earned. More people died as a proportion of the population as a result of that war than during World War I and World War II.

In other words, the numbers of deaths reported in WW I & WW II are staggering, but compared to how many people were alive on the Earth during that time, it pales in comparison to the number of deaths due to war during the 14th century relative to the amount of people alive on the Earth then.

The 14th century was a time of turmoil, loss of confidence and an overall feeling of helplessness as the everyday person felt for the most part that God had abandoned them. There was also deep economic and social unrest. Additionally, environmentally there were drastic and perceived devastating changes. For example, during this time period in 1303, 1306 and 1307, Alpine glaciers advanced and Norse settlements were cut off, while grain cultivation ceased in Iceland.

Much more can be stated about the 14th century but we will stop here. Physically, morally, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, economically and socially, the majority of people were in a dire, desperate and sad state. In fact, many call that century the worst century of human history.

Such devastation and conditions either does not exist or it does somewhat, but not affecting proportionally the amount of people and land it did back then. Our 'modern era' has not experienced anything equivalent to it.

We hear things, see things and experience things due to personal circumstance and all the technology and information available today. It's not worse, but may at times seem that way in part as a result of our limited life experience as well as other factors such as there are many more people on the planet (Both "good" and "bad") and we have communication and information on a scale unlike any other in history.

Could you imagine half of your neighbors or even a third of your neighbors dying in a year? How about a war lasting a hundred years affecting the lives of hundreds of millions of people? What about social unrest and bleak economic conditions where the majority of people were suffering? Even if it did happen, it would only equal the devastation experience during the 14th Century.

Some people may feel and believe times are truly worse than when they were younger; for them individually, perhaps. Then again, as one gets older the carefree and freedom of youth leaves. Nostalgia may set in longing for a time in their personal life that was simpler and easier - Perhaps even healthier and happier. Their outlook on the world or people in general may become hard, cold or even pessimistic. One needs to look at the larger picture and overall scope of society to understand.

We're constantly learning as humans - still growing and understanding.

Are there changes in lifestyle in our modern era, including areas where doors and windows need to be locked which was not needed decades ago? Yes; it is the result of there being many more "bad" people in those areas today, but proportionately there are many more good individuals as well, when seen from a global perspective. Good people trying to do the right thing. We learn and grow as individuals and as groups of people.

As for the morality of people, for those under the impression that today’s society is the worst in human history, the Bible itself shows differently. Accounts of murder, incest, rape, killing innocent children, slavery, bestiality, and other horrendous acts and lifestyles are clearly stated; especially in the Bible books which are better known as the Old Testament or Hebrew Scriptures, which are documented as events taking place thousands of years ago.

Here is one of the many examples that can be found - Judges 19: 16-29:

“Eventually, look! an old man coming in from his work in the field at evening, and the man was from the mountainous region of E´phra·im, and he was residing for a time in Gib´e·ah; but the men of the place were Ben´ja·mites. When he raised his eyes he got to see the man, the traveler, in the public square of the city. So the old man said: “Where are you going, and where do you come from?” In turn he said to him: “We are passing along from Beth´le·hem in Judah to the remotest parts of the mountainous region of E´phra·im. That is where I am from, but I went to Beth´le·hem in Judah; and it is to my own house that I am going, and there is nobody taking me on into the house. And there are both straw and fodder for our he-asses, and there are both bread and wine for me and your slave girl and for the attendant with your servant. There is no lack of a single thing.” However, the old man said: “May you have peace! Just let any lack of yours be upon me. Only do not stay overnight in the public square.” With that he brought him into his house and threw mash to the he-asses. Then they washed their feet and began to eat and drink.
While they were making their hearts feel good, look! the men of the city, mere good-for-nothing men, surrounded the house, shoving one another against the door; and they kept saying to the old man, the owner of the house: “Bring out the man that came into your house, that we may have intercourse with him.” At that the owner of the house went on out to them and said to them: “No, my brothers, do not do anything wrong, please, since this man has come into my house. Do not commit this disgraceful folly. Here are my virgin daughter and his concubine. Let me bring them out, please, and YOU rape them and do to them what is good in YOUR eyes. But to this man YOU must not do this disgraceful, foolish thing.”
And the men did not want to listen to him. Hence the man took hold of his concubine and brought her forth to them outside; and they began to have intercourse with her, and kept on abusing her all night long until the morning, after which they sent her off at the ascending of the dawn. Then the woman came as it was turning to morning, and fell down at the entrance of the man’s house where her master was,—until daylight. Later her master rose up in the morning and opened the doors of the house and went out to get on his way, and, look! the woman, his concubine, fallen at the entrance of the house with her hands upon the threshold! So he said to her: “Rise up, and let us go.” But there was no one answering. At that the man took her upon the ass and rose up and went to his place. Then he entered his house and took the slaughtering knife and laid hold of his concubine and cut her up according to her bones into twelve pieces and sent her into every territory of Israel.”

The above highlights the morality issue as well as provides the reader a large dose of sex and violence in very graphic terms.

Other scriptures and topics to examine are inclusive of but not exclusive to: Father-daughter incest (Genesis 19: 30-38), burning sacrifice of babies (Jeremiah 7:31), murder of family members (Genesis 4: 3-16), obtaining slaves including children (Leviticus 25:44-46), sex slavery (Exodus 21: 7-11).

There are many, many examples of things the world today sees as horrendous and would be unacceptable by the majority, but was seen as fine, acceptable, and even commonplace respecting morality thousands of years ago. As well as morality issues which some perceive as relatively recent events or changes in some, perhaps even many people they encounter and know about, but actually took place as significantly or to an even greater extent hundreds to thousands of years ago.

Really examine the quality of life today. The luxuries many people share were not even fathomable years ago. Times have not become worse, but better. We are more educated and a more tolerant society than times before. Equality and human rights are put to the forefront in many cases, and while some countries may be worse than others regarding these areas, globally, society has become better not worse.

So where does this grim look on 1914 and onward begin? We won't go into the pyramids, mathematics hopscotch and doctrines the Watchtower Society promoted or promotes at this time. What we will do is encourage the taking in of information, including understanding Dispensationalism. Jehovah's Witnesses are clearly a group engrossed in Dispensationalist theology thanks to the teachings and doctrine of the Watchtower Society.

Nonetheless, perhaps your honest evaluation of human history leads you to believe we are living in the worst of times. We are all entitled to our own opinions on the matter. More importantly, knowledge is truly power; do not be ignorant or just follow the ideas, beliefs and teachings of men because they claim something is the reality or “truth” when evidence points to the contrary. Learn about history, science, and perhaps even psychology. Know people and life better and know yourself better. It could be the best of times for you right now.

Firstborn = First Created?

2009-04-02T10:22:00.008-04:00

The biblical use of the word “firstborn” can have different meanings. The first born child in a physical family is one of its meanings. This is exemplified in Luke 2:7:

“And she gave birth to her son, the firstborn, and she bound him with cloth bands and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the lodging room.”

Another meaning of the word “firstborn” is pre-eminence (This in turn means to have paramount rank, dignity, or importance). For example, notice what Psalm 89:20, 27 states:

“I have found David my servant; With my holy oil I have anointed him...Also, I myself shall place him as firstborn, The most high of the kings of the earth.”

Furthermore, “firstborn” in the scriptures can also be a title which is transferable. This is indicated by the information from two set of scriptures. The first is Genesis 41:51-52, there it states:

"So Joseph called the name of the firstborn Ma•nas´seh, because, to quote him, “God has made me forget all my trouble and all the house of my father.” And the name of the second he called E´phra•im, because, to quote him, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my wretchedness.”"

In the above scripture Manasseh is the firstborn. The second is Ephraim. The firstborn title is transferred though to Ephraim as indicated in Jeremiah 31:9:

"With weeping they will come, and with [their] entreaties for favor I shall bring them. I shall make them walk to torrent valleys of water, in a right way in which they will not be caused to stumble. For I have become to Israel a Father; and as for E´phra•im, he is my firstborn."

With all of the above in mind, we come to the scripture in Colossians 1:15-17 which speaks of Jesus as being the firstborn of all creation and about creation in general:

(New World Translation) : "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; because by means of him all [other] things were created in the heavens and upon the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, no matter whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All [other] things have been created through him and for him. Also, he is before all [other] things and by means of him all [other] things were made to exist"

The above scripture with the addition of “[other]” in several places supports and leads one to conclude that firstborn in this scripture indicates first created. The logic being, Jesus was created first and then all “[other]” things were created by him as he could not have created himself.

This logic would be accurate if firstborn in the above scripture did in fact indicate first created. It does not. At the time in which Paul wrote the above scriptures, the Greek word for first created is proto with ktizo. This is not what Paul used when examining the Greek writings. Rather, Paul used the Greek word for firstborn with the indication of pre-eminence which is proto with tikto.

If Paul wanted to clearly indicate Jesus was first created he would have used the Greek word protoktizo; rather, it was not Paul’s intention to indicate such. Jesus is before all things in pre-eminence and Paul indicated that by using the Greek word prototikto.

The original writings of the scriptures did not contain the “[other]” placements as done by the Watchtower Society in their New World Translation of the Bible. Furthermore, it is not needed as Paul is speaking of pre-eminence and not of being first created. That is why other translations do not contain the “[other]” in the verses...

(New International Version) : "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together."

(New American Standard Bible) : "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together."

(New King James Version) : "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist."

(Young's Literal Translation) : "who is the image of the invisible God, first-born of all creation, because in him were the all things created, those in the heavens, and those upon the earth, those visible, and those invisible, whether thrones, whether lordships, whether principalities, whether authorities; all things through him, and for him, have been created, and himself is before all, and the all things in him have consisted."

Indeed, the Watchtower Society is adding to the scriptures to support its doctrine and teaching that Jesus was created. That is not what Colossians is stating. Jesus is the pre-eminent one of all things. The Watchtower Society should not be adjusting scripture to fit their doctrine and teaching. They should be adjusting their doctrine and teaching to fit scripture.

Interpretation of Prophecy…Angels? Jehovah? Jesus?

2009-03-12T10:18:00.012-04:00

Some Jehovah’s Witnesses when presented with the fact that the Watchtower Society, specifically the Governing Body members who are a part of a faithful and discreet slave “class” are false prophets, may try to provide the argument that they’re not false prophets, they just misinterpreted prophecy.

Although such an argument holds no water as the Bible itself provides the definition of a false prophet, which is simply someone who claims to be representative of or speaking by authority of God and states something will happen in the future and it does not occur. Remember, Deuteronomy 18:20-22 clearly tells us:

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

The Watchtower has done this on numerous occasions inclusive of but not exclusive of Armageddon starting in 1914, 1925, in the 1940’s and 1975. However, we will give the benefit of the doubt, and not state for the sake of this argument that the Watchtower Society, which entails the Governing Body was a false prophet, but merely interpreted prophecy incorrectly.

Do their teachings agree with such an argument?

The Watchtower Society has provided a variety of explanation for how information including this so-called ‘interpretation of prophecy’ is given to the Anointed; which in reality again is the man or small group of men making up the doctrine and teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses – The Governing Body.

The September 1, 1930 Watchtower on page 203 states:

“But it seems certain that when Jesus came to his temple and began his work of judgment he would direct his holy angels to take the necessary action to cause the separation of the disapproved from approved ones, and would use his angels to bear messages to them to direct the approved ones as to what to do.”

According to the Watchtower Society, Jesus has been using angels in carrying his directions to the “approved ones” (aka The Faithful and Discrete Slave “Class”) so they know what to do.

Volume III of Vindication published in 1931, on page 250 provides the following claim:

"It was in the spring of 1918 that the Lord Jesus, as the representative of Jehovah, appeared at the temple, and from that time forward the glory of Jehovah has been here. 'And I heard him speaking unto me out of the house; and the man stood by me.' (Ezek. 43:6) When Ezekiel heard the Lord speaking to him the man stood by him. 'The man' was the heavenly messengers or angels of the Lord now used by the Lord in behalf of the remnant. These angels are invisible to human eyes and are there to carry out the orders of the Lord. No doubt they first hear the instructions which the Lord issues to his remnant and then these invisible messengers pass such instructions on the remnant. The facts show that the angels of the Lord with Him at His temple have been thus rendering service unto the remnant since 1919."

The above stresses how starting in 1918 and specifically since 1919, the angels of the Lord Jesus, have been taking his messages to the remnant (The Faithful and Discreet Slave "Class").

The understanding of prophecy, indeed the interpretation of prophecy does not come from man according to the Watchtower Society.

In their publication Preparation on page 28 it indicates:

"This is proof that the interpretation of prophecy does not proceed from man, but that the Lord Jesus, the chief one in Jehovah's organization, sends the necessary information to his people by and through his holy angels."

The same publication makes the following claims on pages 36-37:

“Certain duties and kingdom interests have been committed by the Lord to his angels, which include the transmission of information to God's anointed people on the earth for their aid and comfort. Even though we cannot understand how the angels transmit this information, we know that they do it; and the Scriptures and the facts show that it is done.”

Page 64 states:

“Enlightenment proceeds from Jehovah by and through Christ Jesus and is given to the faithful anointed on earth at the temple, and brings great peace and consolation to them. Again Zechariah talked with the angel of the Lord, which shows that the remnant are instructed by the angels of the Lord. The remnant do not hear audible sounds, because such is not necessary. Jehovah has provided his own good way to convey thoughts to the minds of his anointed ones.”

When the faithful and discrete slave does not know something, the Lord provides the answers, according to page 67:

“Those of the remnant, being honest and true, must say, We do not know; and the Lord enlightens them, sending his angels for that very purpose.”

Again, man does not interpret prophecy according to the Watchtower Society.

The Watchtower February 15, 1936 issue on page 52 states:

"No man can properly interpret prophecy, and the Lord sends his angels to transmit correct information to his people."

Additionally, it has been emphasized that the Watchtower does not contain man’s opinion.

The Watchtower from November 1, 1931 on page 327 states:

“The Watchtower is not the instrument of any man or set of any of men, nor is it published according to the whims of men. No man's opinion is expressed in the Watchtower.”

Furthermore, according to the Watchtower Society, it is God, the great author of the Bible who provided the interpretation of prophecy found in the Watchtower magazine.

The Watchtower, April 15, 1943 issue on page 127 provides these details:

"The Watchtower is a magazine without equal in the earth, and is conceded this rank by all that have been faithful readers thereof during its more than sixty years of publications.... This is not giving any credit to the magazines publishers, but is due to the great author of the Bible with its truths and prophecies, and who now interprets its prophecies. He it is that makes possible the material that is published in the columns of this magazine and who give promise that it shall continue to publish the advancing truths as long as it continues to exist for the service of the interests of his Theocratic Government.”

To sum up a few of the Society’s teachings at various times quoted above:

-Jesus uses angels to direct the Anointed.
-Interpretation does not come from man, but Jesus sends the necessary information via angels.
-The Lord sends information to angels who transmit the information to the Anointed, but we don’t know how.
-Enlightenment comes from Jehovah thru Jesus transmitted to the minds of the Anointed.
-When the Anointed do not know something the Lord enlightens them by sending angels.
-The Lord sends his angels to transmit correct information to his people.
-No man’s opinion is expressed in the Watchtower.
-The great author of the Bible interprets prophecy and is credited for what is printed in the Watchtower.

So how does all or any of it account for the false prophecies or in giving the benefit of the doubt at the very least, the false interpretation of prophecy by the Watchtower Society?

Were the angels deceiving the Faithful and Discrete Slave Class? Did the angels provide false information? Perhaps, Jesus sent the wrong information? Was Jehovah providing the wrong interpretation of prophecy and then allowing it to print in the Watchtower?

Or is this just once again clear evidence of an organization run by a bunch of men without any sort of divine backing and direction? Review the facts and decide for yourself.

Memorial

2009-03-02T09:35:00.013-05:00

As we approach closer to the date Thursday, April 9, 2009, Jehovah's Witnesses will anxiously be awaiting the day and more specifically after sundown in which they will observe the Watchtower Society's version of commemorating the death of Jesus Christ, also referred to as the Lord's Evening Meal. Jehovah's Witnesses perform this event annually on the day which corresponds to Nisan 14 on the Jewish calendar.

However, unlike traditional Christianity which when adhering to the admonition of Jesus and partake during their observance according to the following scripture...

John 6:53-54: "Accordingly Jesus said to them: “Most truly I say to YOU, Unless YOU eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, YOU have no life in yourselves. He that feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has everlasting life, and I shall resurrect him at the last day"

...Jehovah's Witnesses are taught by the Watchtower Society that only those claiming to be a part of the 144,000 mentioned in Revelation should partake. Everyone else passes the wine and bread which symbolize Jesus' flesh and blood without partaking.

What is the reason for this teaching?

For the reason that Jesus established a new covenant, one in which those that were a part of it would have everlasting life in the heavens with him. Jehovah's Witnesses are taught that only a limited number of 144,000 individuals will go to heaven, and everyone else will either be destroyed at Armageddon or remain on the earth under “paradise” conditions.

Those who survive Armageddon on the earth make up the Watchtower Society's understanding of what entails the "great crowd" mentioned in the Bible [In select verses]. Furthermore, those who are not of the remaining 144,000 do not have Jesus as their mediator. Only the remaining Jehovah's Witness members who claim to be a part of the 144,000 have that relationship according to the Watchtower Society.

"Jesus Christ, is not the Mediator between Jehovah God and all mankind. He is the Mediator between his heavenly Father, Jehovah God, and the nation of spiritual Isreal, which is limited to only 144,000 members." - Worldwide Security Under the Prince of Peace, page 10.

The Watchtower Society's teaching of a literal 144,000 is from their understanding of the seventh chapter of Revelation.

Revelation 7:1: "And I heard the number of those who were sealed, a hundred and forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the sons of Israel"

Interestingly, the entire rest of the surrounding verses and details are symbolic, but somehow the 144,000 is a literal number according to the Watchtower Society. They also use as support of their doctrine, Revelation chapter 14.

Revelation 14:1, 4-5: "And I saw, and, look! the Lamb standing upon the Mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand having his name and the name of his Father written on their foreheads. ...These are the ones that did not defile themselves with women; in fact, they are virgins. These are the ones that keep following the Lamb no matter where he goes. These were bought from among mankind as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb, 5 and no falsehood was found in their mouths; they are without blemish."

Again, the 144,000 is literal, but other details such as "...did not defile themselves with women...”, "...have the name of Lamb and Father on their foreheads...", "...are virgins...", "...have no falsehood on their mouths...", "...are without blemish..." are all symbolic or figurative.

Furthermore, the phrase "great crowd" appears in Revelation and they are clearly located in the heavens:

Revelation 19:1: "After these things I heard what was as a loud voice of a great crowd in heaven. They said: “Praise Jah, YOU people! The salvation and the glory and the power belong to our God"

A Jehovah's Witness may have been taught an explanation of something along the lines of that great crowd is different than the great crowd of Armageddon survivors. According to the Watchtower Society teachings, apparently the great crowd mentioned here...

Revelation 7:9: "After these things I saw, and, look! a great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes; and there were palm branches in their hands."

...refers to people living on the earth.

BUT the great crowd mentioned here...

Revelation 19:1: "After these things I heard what was as a loud voice of a great crowd in heaven. They said: “Praise Jah, YOU people! The salvation and the glory and the power belong to our God"

...refers to angels.

Both scriptures use the terminology “great crowd”; both verses are from the same Bible book and the same writer. In both instances “great crowd” is preceded by the phrase "After these things", but somehow, the same designation "great crowd" indicates two complete different groups. How does the Watchtower Society know their understanding is correct? Because the Watchtower Society says so and they have a way of rationalizing and claiming their current teachings are the absolute truth in harmony with their interpretation of scripture.

An example of such is when vaccinations were not allowed. A short time ago, blood fractions were not allowed, and blood transfusions are still not permitted. Let's not forget the stance that organ transplants were viewed as cannibalistic for years by the Watchtower Society as well.

The Watchtower Society is guilty of costing the physical lives of many by their teachings. Not to forget the effects of the mental and emotional conditioning. Should a Christian take the Watchtower Society's view of partaking or not partaking of the bread and wine, knowing very well what the scriptures state regarding everlasting life?

At one time the Watchtower Society taught all Christians were going to heaven, then the Watchtower Society's second president J.F. Rutherford in 1935, started teaching a concept of a great crowd living forever on earth. Will this be another teaching the Watchtower Society flip-flops on?

Similar to the teaching concerning the resurrection of the men of Sodom, the understanding of the "superior authorities", and the "generation", teachings of the Watchtower Society which either went back and forth over and over again in what was believed to be "truth", or became several things over many years, only to end right back to an original old “light" teaching again. Yet, regardless of the teaching at the time, it was still always "the truth".

Maybe someday the Watchtower Society will teach Jehovah's Witnesses "the truth" as they once did, that according to the scriptures, for all Christians their everlasting life is in the heavens.

Remember what the Bible teaches that Jesus stated...

John 6:53-54: "Accordingly Jesus said to them: “Most truly I say to YOU, Unless YOU eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, YOU have no life in yourselves. He that feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has everlasting life, and I shall resurrect him at the last day"

Meanwhile, Jehovah's Witnesses may continue to roll the dice on the Watchtower Society teaching being "the truth" and not simply opinion. "The truth" of the Watchtower Society has changed so many times on a variety of doctrinal teachings. Furthermore, some Christians may believe Jehovah's Witnesses not partaking definitively means the passing up of everlasting life. Whatever your beliefs are it certainly does not have to be "the truth" of the Watchtower Society.

Truth From The Dead

2009-02-26T12:48:00.009-05:00

The Watchtower Society has a history of claiming the involvement of dead members in the furthering and understanding of truth.

From The Finished Mystery on page 144:

“Though Pastor Russell has passed beyond the veil, he is still managing every feature of the Harvest work. `THE WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY is the greatest corporation in the world, because from the time of its organization until now the Lord has used it as His channel though which to make known the Glad Tidings'"

The Watchtower from November 1, 1917, states this under page 6161 from the reprints by the Watchtower Society:

“Hence our dear Pastor, now in glory, is without doubt, manifesting a keen interest in the harvest work, and is permitted by the Lord to exercise some strong influence thereupon.”

Is this just an incorrect understanding which was refined and corrected with time? No.

Over 70 years later, similar claims are still made. Yes, even current “light” from the Watchtower Society includes how the dead is involved with the receiving of truth.

According to Revelation – Its Grand Climax At Hand! - Both the original 1988 and 2006 revision - on page 125 it states:

“It is fitting, then, that one of the 24 elders representing anointed ones already in heaven, should stir John's thinking...(Revelation 7:13, 14a) Yes, that elder could locate the answer and give it to John. This suggests that resurrected ones of the 24-elders group may be involved in the communicating of divine truths today.”

This means throughout the organization’s history, as well as remaining the current teaching, the Watchtower Society believes and teaches that dead anointed members (those of which according to Watchtower Society doctrine are of a literal 144,000 individuals) have involvement in communicating divine truths to living Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Not only does the Watchtower Society lack any moral authority to condemn any organization or person for practicing Spiritism, they are hypocrites and liars to claim they do not engage in such practices.

Riding the United Nations

2009-02-11T13:07:00.030-05:00

According to the Watchtower Society's publication Revelation - Its Grand Climax At Hand, the 'scarlet colored wild beast' depicted in the Bible book of Revelation represents the United Nations. Further, the 'harlot' who rides the wild beast denotes false religion which associates and has relations with the wild beast.

Revelation - Its Grand Climax at Hand on page 248 & 254:

"The UN, then, is actually a revival of the scarlet-colored wild beast...the United Nations, "a scarlet-colored wild beast" that is the image of Satan’s bloodstained political system. - Revelation 16:2; 17:3-16."

Page 243:

"From its inception, [the United Nations] has also had the great harlot [false religion] riding on its back, visibly associated with it...representatives of the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church, together with Protestants, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims—said to represent two thousand million of earth's population—assembled in San Francisco to celebrate their support and admiration of the UN."

For nearly a decade the Watchtower Society was an active associate of the United Nations. In 1991, the Watchtower Society applied for NGO association, and it was granted in 1992. They would retain their active association thru October 2001. They were a non-governmental organization (NGO) active associate, just like many other religions of the world. Year upon year, the Watchtower Society would criticize and slander other religions for their association with the United Nations; however, they were doing the exact same thing.

This is obvious and blatant hypocrisy.

The following Jehovah's Witnesses served as the representatives of the Watchtower Society respecting applying for NGO association on behalf of the organization:

1. Ciro Aulicino - Writing Department
2. W. Lloyd Barry - Governing Body
3. Robert Johnson - Service Department

A letter confirming the Watchtower Society's NGO association with the United Nations can be found on the United Nation's website here:

http://www.un.org/dpi/ngosection/pdfs/watchtower.pdf

While the Watchtower Society was an active associate of the United Nations, knowledge of the facts spread, including an article written which publicly exposed the hypocrisy and deceit. On October 8, 2001, The Guardian published an article entitled "Jehovah's Witnesses link to UN queried - Sect accused of hypocrisy over association with organisation it has demonised." It was written by Stephen Bates, a religious affairs correspondent. The Watchtower Society went on the defense. Later in the same month, they issued a letter to all branch offices claiming that their NGO association was a result of needing a “library card” and since then the "criteria for association" with the UN changed. After which the Watchtower Society requested to have their relationship with the United Nations terminated.

The truth is the criteria in 1991, when they started to 'ride the wild beast', entailed just as strong devotion and commitment as it did in 2001. Every year they were required to renew their association. Furthermore, their letter to the branch offices was misleading in trying to make Jehovah's Witnesses believe that only recent association changes aligned them in such a way to make them part of the harlot in which they "immediately withdrew registration". The reality is their change in stance came about due to the overwhelming pressure and too many people questioning and calling them out on their deceit, trickery, and hypocrisy.

The "library card" defense is pathetic at best. Prior to the aftermath of September 11, 2001, one could have used the library without being an NGO active associate. Nonetheless, is that excuse or any excuse valid for being a part of the harlot riding the wild beast?

Additionally, non-governmental organizations are required now and during the years the Watchtower Society was an active associate to "disseminate UN propaganda to their members, and to regularly report back to the UN" providing samples of such propaganda. The non-governmental organization brochure given to associates provided the details.

The following are five of the requirements set by the United Nations for non-governmental organizations along with some of the Watchtower Society's compliance articles towards their commitment and support of the listed requirements:

1. Dissemination information about the UN to their membership - Awake!, November 22, 1998, pages 6-10.

2. Mobilizing public opinion in support of the United Nations - Awake!, November 22, 1998 pages 3-5.

3. Promoting knowledge of the United Nations' principles and activities - Awake! January 5, 1999, page 13; Awake! June 22, 1999, page 15; Awake! July 22, 1999, page 31.

4. Promoting United Nations observances and international years - Awake!, July 22, 1999, page 3; Awake!, July 22, 2001, page 5.

5. Publicizing United Nations activities - Awake!. January 8, 1999, page 31; Awake! May 8, 1999, page 31.

The Watchtower Society's support and cooperation in promoting and being a part of the United Nations, 'riding the wild beast' was so clear and resounding that the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights highlighted one such article on its website found here:

http://www.unhchr.ch/udhr/materials/articles.htm

The article highlighted is "A 'Long Job Finished'" from Awake!, November 22, 1998, pages 3-5.

It is disgraceful and despicable. The Watchtower Society is teaching Jehovah's Witnesses one thing and practices another regarding political association and ties. It has clearly supported and promoted what they deem as the scarlet colored wild beast of Revelation, through their own publication which is supposed to be "providing food at the proper time" to Jehovah's Witnesses.

By their own actions and teachings the Watchtower Society is part of the harlot, the prostitute which rides the wild beast. They are a part of false religion by their own standard and measurement. Continue to research and understand the truth about the organization behind and directing Jehovah's Witnesses.

The New World Translation – Part II: The Translators

2009-01-30T14:50:00.009-05:00

The Watchtower Society released The New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures in August 1950. This translation of the Hebrew Scriptures was released in five volumes covering the years of 1953, 1955, 1957, 1958, and 1960. Finally, their complete translation of the Bible, The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures was released as a single volume in 1961.

Jehovah’s Witnesses were told then, and still instructed to believe today, that this translation is the most accurate, unbiased translation available. The Watchtower Society claims that 'The New World Translation Committee’ was made up of individuals who did their best to “transmit his [God’s] thoughts and declarations as accurately as possible.”

However, when one endeavors to check into the credentials of these translators, one finds that the Watchtower Society is unwilling to release this information, stating that the Committee desires that all the glory for this translation go to Jehovah God and therefore the translators desire to remain anonymous.

The New World Translation Committee has always been extremely secretive, and, as a result, information about who was on it has only trickled out of the Brooklyn headquarters as various staff members have left and revealed what they knew. Scant information has been published, other information has leaked by word of mouth.

Nonetheless, the facts show that they were totally unqualified for the task of translation. The Watchtower Society’s Governing Body members who were on the Translation Committee had no formal training whatsoever in the Biblical languages. Here are the translators:

1. Frederick W. Franz: Main translator. He took liberal arts sequence at University of Cincinnati; 21 semester hours of classical Greek, some Latin. Partially completed a two-hour survey course in Biblical Greek in junior year; course titled "The New Testament--A course in grammar and translation." He left in spring of 1914 before completing junior year. Self-taught in Spanish, biblical Hebrew and Aramaic. He entered Brooklyn headquarters facility of Watchtower Society in 1920. It is probable he was the ghost writer for J. F. Rutherford (2nd President of Watchtower Society) from late 1920s through 1942. Franz was the Vice President of Watchtower Society from 1942 to 1977 and President from 1977 until his death in 1992 at age 99.

Franz writes in his autobiography contained in the Watchtower, May 1, 1987, page 24:

"What a blessing it was to study Bible Greek under Professor Arthur Kensella! Under Dr. Joseph Harry, an author of some Greek works, I also studied the classical Greek. I knew that if I wanted to become a Presbyterian clergyman, I had to have a command of Bible Greek. So I furiously applied myself and got passing grades"

Franz gives the impression that the bulk of his Greek studies were "Bible Greek" under "Professor Kensella" and that classical Greek was secondary under "Dr. Joseph Harry." The opposite is true. As mentioned above, Franz only took one 2-hour credit class of "Bible Greek" but 21 hours of classical Greek. According to the course catalog of 1911, Arthur Kensella was not a professor of Greek, as Franz wrote, but an "instructor in Greek." Kensella did not have a Ph.D. and he therefore taught entry-level courses.

2. Nathan H. Knorr: No training in biblical languages. Entered Brooklyn headquarters in 1923; 3rd president of Watchtower Bible and Track Society from 1942 to 1977. He died 1977 at age 72.

3. Milton G. Henschel: No training in biblical languages. He served as the private secretary and traveling companion to N. H. Knorr from the late 1940s until the early 1970s. He’s the 4th president of Watchtower Bible and Track Society from 1992 to 2000. After “stepping down”, he was followed by Don Adams as president.

4. Albert D. Schroeder: No training in biblical languages. He took 3 years of mechanical engineering, unspecified language courses in college, dropped out in 1932 and soon entered Brooklyn headquarters. He is a Registrar of "Gilead School" from 1942 to 1959.

5. Karl Klein: No training in biblical languages. Klein entered Brooklyn headquarters in 1925; member of Writing Dept. since 1950. He died 2001 at age 96.

6. George D. Gangas: No training in biblical languages. Greek-speaking Turkish national, he entered Brooklyn headquarters in 1928 as a Greek translator from English to modern Greek publications. He died 1994 at age 98.

Franz was the only man capable to perform any sort of translation work. Gangas was a native Greek speaker, but knew little of Koine Greek (Original Greek language used for the Christian Greek Scriptures), and apparently helped out with a variety of non-translation tasks including reviewing the English grammar for continuity of expression. From all information published about him personally, one readily concludes that Knorr was the business administrator for the Translation Committee. Henschel might have been on it to take care of legal/secretarial matters. Schroeder and Klein did the copious footnotes (which included textual sources) and cross references and marginal notes, which in the original six volumes of The New World Translation were more extensive than in the 1984 edition.

Franz gave this testimony under oath in the Douglas Walsh Trial in Scotland…

Tuesday, 23rd November, 1954: Frederick William Franz, Examined:
Q. Have you also made yourself familiar with Hebrew?
A. Yes....
Q. So that you have a substantial linguistic apparatus at your command?
A. Yes, for use in my biblical work.
Q. I think you are able to read and follow the Bible in Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Spanish, Portuguese, German, and French?
A. Yes.
Q. It is the case, is it not, that in 1950 there was prepared and issued what is called the New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures?
A. Yes....
Q. I think that it was your duty, was it not, before the issue of that New World Translation by your Society to check that translation for accuracy?
A. That is true.
Q. In light of your studies and in light of your knowledge?
A. That is true.
Q. And did you do so?
A. I did so....
Q. And was it your duty on behalf of the Society to check the translation into English from the original Hebrew of that first volume of the Old Testament Scriptures?
A. Yes....
Q. In so far as translation of the Bible itself is undertaken, are you responsible for that?
A. I have been authorized to examine a translation and determine its accuracy and recommend its acceptance in the form in which it is submitted.
Q. Are the translators members of the Editorial Committee?
A. That is a question which I, as a member of the Board of Directors, am not authorized to disclose....
Q. When did you go to the University?....Did you graduate?
A. No, I did not....
Q. Had you done any Hebrew in the course of your University work?
A. No, I had not, but in the course of my editorial work, my special research work for the president of the Society, I found it was very necessary to have knowledge of Hebrew, and so I undertook a personal study of that.
ADJOURNED

Wednesday, 24th November, 1954: Frederick William Franz, Cross Continued:
Q. You, yourself, read and speak Hebrew, do you?
A. I do not speak Hebrew.
Q. You do not?
A. No.
Q. Can you, yourself, translate that into Hebrew?
A. Which?
Q. That fourth verse of the Second Chapter of Genesis?
A. You mean here?
Q. Yes?
A. No, I won’t attempt to do that.
— From Douglas Walsh Trial, Pursuer’s Proof, 1954, pages 7-9, 88, 91-92, 102-103.

This exercise which Franz was unable to do is something which the average first or second year Hebrew student could have accomplished without any difficulty. Is it any wonder the Watchtower Society refuses to publicly reveal the people who were involved in the translation of their Bible? Would you put your trust in a doctor who refused to give his credentials? Yet, this is similar to what many Jehovah’s Witnesses are doing when it comes to their trust of the Watchtower Society's The New World Translation of the Bible.

Uncover the history, understand the facts, examine the details and know "The Truth".

The Wizard of Jehovah’s Witnesses

2009-01-28T14:57:00.010-05:00

Many have heard of and probably seen the Wizard of Oz. The movie version from 1939 stars Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale. Ray Bolger as the Scarecrow, Bert Lahr was the Cowardly Lion, and the Tin Man was played by Jack Haley. Of course there are a slew of other characters in the movie, from those other characters there are two I want to focus on.

The first is the part played by Frank Morgan. Granted he played Professor Marvel, the Gatekeeper, the Crying Guard, as well as being the Carriage Driver of Emerald City. But most importantly, he was the Wizard.

All of those happy, sincere, kind, and good natured Munchkins believed in the Wizard. The one who could help people and who could provide answers seemed to point right to the Wizard. Even Billie Burke's role as Glinda [The good witch who helps Dorothy] - was convinced of who and what the Wizard of Oz was and what he could do for individuals. Or at least that seemed to be the case.

For me, it used to be hard to pick my favorite character in the story. I did lean towards Ray Bolger as the Scarecrow. Then again, Bert was great as the Lion. Jack's role as the Tin Man really clicked with me too. It was a tough call.

However, after leaving the Watchtower Society, my favorite character has become the part played by Terry. Furthermore, Terry's character is the one that I want to focus on second. Terry does not have a last name, and is the real life name of Toto. Toto played one of the most important roles in the entire movie. Toto revealed what the Wizard really was to Dorothy and her companions. Toto pulled the curtain back to reveal that the Wizard was a ordinary man and not the great, powerful, and magnificent Wizard.

The inhabitants of Oz represent Jehovah's Witnesses as a whole collective group. The Faithful and Discreet Slave Class - specifically, those few men in Brooklyn who set the doctrine and teachings for Jehovah's Witnesses who call themselves the Governing Body - is the Wizard. The Watchtower Society is like the Wizard's Emerald City, a strong and powerful testimony to who and what the Wizard is for the individuals of the Land of Oz. Glinda can be District Overseers, Circuit Overseers and even perhaps Elders and Ministerial Servants. The Munchkins can be played by many of the individual Jehovah’s Witnesses that exist within the organization. Not to leave out the fact there are bad people perhaps even several bad people who can play the role of the Wicked Witch within the organization. There are bad people found within all organizations. Pedophiles, greedy people, and others exist among Jehovah's Witnesses as they do everywhere else. Nevertheless, that is not the focus of this topic.

If the Wizard is the Governing Body, then who is Toto? That's the interesting part. Toto can be many different things even for just one person. Perhaps your Toto is a combination of research you've done and careful investigation of the lies, deceit, and flip-flopping of the "Wizard's" doctrines. Perhaps it's the "Wizard's" blood-guilt over their prior stance on vaccinations and organ transplants or the "Wizard's" decades long stance of a woman not crying out when being rape results in her being guilty of fornication and worthy of everlasting destruction. Maybe your Toto was a concerned family member or friend who showed you the truth respecting the Watchtower Society's history and their false prophecies. Or maybe for you Toto was the fact of the Watchtower's Society approximate decade long stance as a charter member of the United Nations.

Whatever or whomever Toto may be is not as important as the action of Toto pulling the curtain back to reveal to you that the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses are just made up of men who are not special or blessed in any way and most certainly are not as they claim, the sole channel of communication God is using to direct and organize people.

Could you imagine in the movie after Toto pulled back the curtain, Dorothy, Tin Man, Scarecrow, and/or the Lion punishing or shunning Toto and still believing in the Wizard? Can you imagine, Dorothy and her companions ignoring all they saw and witnessed respecting the Wizard and just went along following his next set of orders and or commands for them to obey and follow? That course of action would have been a bit ridiculous, unreasonable and leave Dorothy and her companions in a very sad state of being. Remember, the Wizard wants you to pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.

Even after the revealing of who the Wizard is to Dorothy and her companions, in the closing scenes of leaving Oz, Glinda who may have known what the Wizard was all about, didn't seem upset about it. Perhaps she thought it was the best thing for the congregations of Munchkins. They still were happy and nice people too. After all, the Wizard appeared to have done many wonderful things for the Munchkins, and the Munchkins still loved and cheered for him, even after seeing he was not who he really was suppose to be or perhaps those Munchkins were not in the know of who that man represented. Maybe the Munchkins were still in denial.

Will you be a Dorothy, Tin Man, Scarecrow or Cowardly Lion? Either one of those characters will suffice in the event you react as they did once the curtain was pulled back. And how about being Toto? Maybe you're not Toto today, but maybe you will be for someone. Just be brave enough to pull back the curtain. Toto knew something was wrong, did the right thing and revealed the truth about the Wizard.

Who or what is your Toto?

Just think, the next time you see Jehovah's Witnesses going to a Pubic Talk, Watchtower Study, District Convention, Circuit Assembly or any other Watchtower Society instruction and indoctrination program, remember they are really off...

Off to see the Wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Keep on the Watch

2009-01-22T15:35:00.010-05:00

A few years back, the Watchtower Society had a campaign with a tract entitled Keep on the Watch! which was published in 2004. Another campaign was supposed to take place in January 2008 with the same tract. The months leading up to January 2008 in Our Kingdom Ministry stressed and highlighted in its usual announcement area the literature placement indeed would be the Keep On The Watch! tract.

However, in a very brief Letter to the Body of Elders, dated November 14, 2007 it states:

"Please inform the congregation of the following adjustment to the January 2008 literature offer. Instead of the brochure Keep on the Watch!, the book What Does the Bible Really Teach? should be offered. If householders already have the book, publishers may offer any 192-page book printed on paper that discolors or any book published prior to 1992 with the exception of Creation, Mankind's Search for God, and Young People Ask."

This was a sudden and very surprising change of events for the Watchtower Society. Why cancel the campaign? Congregations already had their ample supply of tracts to distribute. Could there be something wrong with the tract itself?

On Page 3 under the section 'The Religious Scene', it states:

"Priest sexually exploit young people; church cover-up. Decline in attendance; church buildings sold."

Could the above possibly describe the Watchtower Society?

For instance, sixteen sexual abuse victims settled nine lawsuits in which individuals were sexually abused as children by Jehovah's Witnesses members and leaders. Settlements were reached in late February and early March 2007 for millions of dollars as a result of those lawsuits alone.

Additionally, the Watchtower Society's policy would protect the predator of a sexually abused child by stating two witnesses would need to be present to the offence before the congregation could take action against an individual. Of course, the chance that there are two witnesses to the sexual abuse of a child is extremely unlikely. Many of times, accused abusive elders would never be known and moved to different congregations over time.

Even in our present time - January 2009 - The most wanted child predator in the United States is Frederick McLean a former Jehovah's Witnesses elder with an abuse record spanning some 20 years against young children.

It is more than just a little known fact that attendance in Jehovah's Witnesses congregations across the United States is down. The little growth seen overall within Jehovah's Witnesses congregations is at the level or even less than population growth of the country. Population growth in the US over the last couple of years has been ~2-3%. The 2007 Service Year report for Jehovah's Witnesses shows an increase of 3%. While the 2008 Service Year report shows an increase of 2.1%.

Most lands outside the United States which have seen more than population growth are in generally less educated or/and wealthy lands - especially those where the internet is not as readily available for individuals to research and investigate the Watchtower Society organization.

And what about the selling of "church buildings"?

In 2007 as well as years prior and after, the Watchtower Society has sold and will continue to sell buildings, obtaining tens of millions of dollars for each sale.

Could it be that the finger the Watchtower Society has Jehovah's Witnesses pointing at other religions should be directed right back at them? Is it that individuals have come forward realizing the hypocrisy and the problems the Watchtower Society highlights concerning other religions can be found right in their own?

Since the tract's published year of 2004, the internet continues to grow and people continue to educate themselves. This includes the knowledge of the Watchtower Society and its past and current problems. Do the research and investigate. Selling buildings, decline in attendance, pedophilia and cover-up all describes the Watchtower Society. The way the Watchtower Society attacks other religions is the same attack that is valid against them.

Twisted Teachings

2009-01-15T14:33:00.008-05:00

Terminology and concepts for a Jehovah's Witness can vary greatly then that of someone who is familiar with traditional Christianity and/or the Bible. The Watchtower Society has provided a vocabulary to Jehovah's Witnesses which consist of ideas and concepts from their own interpretation and at times their own unique rendering of scriptural verses. Some of these twisted teachings are as follows:

Death

Watchtower Society = A state of non-existence, sleep, deny an immaterial soul and/or spirit.
Christianity = Soul and spirit remain conscious after physical death.

Reference: Matthew 10:28; Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Revelation 6:9.

God

Watchtower Society = Jehovah.
Christianity = The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Reference: Matthew 28:19.

Hell

Watchtower Society = The common grave of mankind, no conscious existence and/or punishment.
Christianity = Eternal separation from God, conscious everlasting punishment.

Reference: Matthew 25:41, 46.

Holy Spirit

Watchtower Society = God’s active force, impersonal.
Christianity = Third member of Trinity, fully God, personal.

Reference: Acts 5:3-4, 8:29, 13:2; 1 Corinthians 2:10-11; Ephesians 4:30.

Jesus Christ

Watchtower Society = First created being by Jehovah, a god, Michael the Archangel.
Christianity = Fully God and fully man, equal to the Father in nature, eternal, omnipotent Creator.

Reference: John 1:1*, 5:18, 20:28.

*The Watchtower Society’s New World Translation renders this verse "a god". However, obtain their ‘The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures’ from 1969 and lookup the passage.

Resurrection of Christ

Watchtower Society = Rose as a spirit being.
Christianity = Rose in physical body.

Reference: John 2:19-21; Luke 24:36-39.

Salvation

Watchtower Society = Living forever on a restored earth, or Paradise.
Christianity = Eternal life in heaven in the presence of God.

Reference: Philippians 3:20.

Second Coming of Christ

Watchtower Society = Occurred invisibly in 1914.
Christianity = A future event that will be plainly visible.

Reference: Matthew 24:27, 30; Revelation 1:7.

The Watchtower Society's twisted teachings are presented as absolute fact and "the truth" to Jehovah's Witnesses and others. By reading the scriptural passages without the influence of the Watchtower Society, does one reach the same conclusions as taught by them?

According to the Watchtower, August 15, 1981 issue, page 29, paragraph 14:

"They say that it is sufficient to read the Bible exclusively, either alone or in small groups at home. But, strangely, through such ‘Bible reading,' they have reverted right back to the apostate doctrines that commentaries by Christendom's clergy were teaching 100 years ago..."

Within their own literature, the Watchtower Society states if you read the Bible exclusively or in small groups at your home, you will come to the doctrines taught by "Christendom". Why is that the case? If you read the Bible exclusively, should you not come to the teachings taught by the Watchtower Society? The truth is the Watchtower Society's teachings are twisted, and the Watchtower quote above is their own admission to the facts.

Is it any wonder then, that the Watchtower Society also instructs Jehovah's Witnesses in the following way?

From Our Kingdom Ministry, September 2007, page 3, Question Box:

"Does the "faithful and discreet slave" endorse independent groups of Witnesses who meet together to engage in Scriptural research or debate?

No, it does not."

Read the Bible for yourself without the influence of the Watchtower Society. A few scriptures are referenced above for some teachings. Do the readings, do the research, and prove it to you.

Mediator...For Less Than 10,000

2008-12-30T16:04:00.012-05:00

In Christianity, Jesus is the mediator for all mankind. The Bible states at 1 Timothy 2: 5, 6:

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus, who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all”

However, the Watchtower Society doctrine on the matter differs from what the scriptures state. It is summed up in their publication Worldwide Security Under the "Prince of Peace" on page 10, paragraph 16:

“Likewise, the Greater Moses, Jesus Christ, is not the Mediator between Jehovah God and all mankind. He is the Mediator between his heavenly Father, Jehovah God, and the nation of spiritual Israel, which is limited to only 144,000 members.”

Further explanation of their stance by the Watchtower Society can be seen in such articles as the Watchtower November 15, 1979, page 27, 'One Mediator Between God and Men':

"They recognize that they are not spiritual Israelites in the new covenant mediated by Jesus Christ, nor part of the “chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.”...Yet they do benefit from the operation of the new covenant. They benefit from this just as, in ancient Israel, the “alien resident” benefited from residing in among the Israelites who were in the Law covenant...To keep in relationship with “our Savior, God,” the “great crowd” needs to remain united with the remnant of spiritual Israelites."

Most congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses do not have these "spiritual Isrealities" [Also called "The Anointed" by the Watchtower Society] within their midst. Even congregations which do have "The Anointed", they are not the ones who provide directions to Jehovah's Witnesses. It is the Governing Body; a select few older men located in Brooklyn, NY who serve as the leaders and provides the doctrine and teachings for Jehovah's Witnesses which they must follow. Under the terminology "Faithful and Discreet Slave Class" these older men are the ones who in effect serve as a mediator for Jehovah's Witnesses. They are taught to believe that direction and instruction coming from the "Faithful and Discreet Slave Class" is coming from God.

The most significant reason the Watchtower Society teaches Jesus mediating only for the Anointed is that the Bible shows the New Covenant setup by Jesus Christ provides a heavenly resurrection, and the doctrine of the Watchtower Society is only 144,000 will have a resurrection to heaven. Therefore, Jesus as a mediator is only applicable to them.

This whole notion still taught today by the Watchtower Society was started by the Watchtower Society's second president, 'Judge' Rutherford. The Watchtower April 1, 1934 on page 104 states the following:

"Christ Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant toward his own brethren, that is to say, spiritual Israel, during the period of time God is taking out from the nations a people for his name."

It was the idea and belief of one man - Rutherford - which is still taught as truth by Jehovah's Witnesses today. Rutherford naturally aligned himself as being one of the anointed. This assists in the belief of salvation being dependent on belonging to the organization. The organization is supposedly led by anointed men and/or they "appoint" those who take the lead, those not of the anointed or not appointed need to follow those who fall into such categories.

Nevertheless, once again the scriptures are clear on the matter of mediator...

1 Timothy 2:5, 6:

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus, who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all”

The Jehovah’s Witnesses annual report for 2008 shows 9,986 as being of the anointed. Those are the only ones who have Jesus as their Mediator according to Watchtower Society's teaching. All other Jehovah's Witnesses are without a mediator, and are given an organization to follow.

Die Twice?

2008-12-21T14:12:00.007-05:00

All Jehovah's Witnesses are well aware of the teachings of the Watchtower Society concerning the dead, the resurrection, and the "final test". According to Watchtower Society teaching, after Armageddon there will be the resurrections of both righteous and unrighteous people to the Earth. The unrighteous will need to be taught about Jehovah and Jesus. All resurrected ones and survivors of Armageddon will be raised to perfection on the Earth. At the end of 1,000 years, Satan will perform one final test to turn people away from Jehovah. For those who follow Satan during this last test, they will be executed and destroyed forever.

The following statements for those not familiar with such teachings are found in the Watchtower Society publication Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life:

Page 186, paragraph 15:

"But two distinct groups will be resurrected—the righteous and the unrighteous."

Page 186, paragraph 17:

"The unrighteous will come back to a beautiful and peaceful earth. They will be welcomed by a people well organized to teach them about Jehovah and his reigning Son, Jesus Christ."

Page 187, paragraph 19:

"...all sin will be removed and mankind will be raised to perfection."

Page 190, paragraph 21:

"Perfect humans will face one final test. At the end of the Millennium, Satan and his demons will be released from the abyss for a short time and will be permitted to make a final effort to turn people away from Jehovah. Some will put wrong desires above love of God, but this rebellion will be cut short. Jehovah will execute these selfish ones along with Satan and all his demons. All wrongdoers will then be gone forever."

Again, for those Satan successfully misleads, God will execute them for all eternity. The reality of the Watchtower Society's teaching is an individual person may DIE TWICE as a human on the Earth. First was their death prior to the resurrection, and the second time as stated in the aforementioned scenario of the "final test".

What does the Bible teach?

Even according to the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, it teaches the following:

Hebrews 9:27: "And as it is reserved for men to die once for all time, but after this a judgment"

The Bible states it is reserved for men to DIE ONCE FOR ALL TIME. Not die once, be resurrected and die again if judged to have failed a final test.

Watchtower Society doctrine and teaching contradicts what even their own translation of the scriptures state.

The Watchtower – A Part of the Bible?

2008-12-16T15:00:00.004-05:00

The December 15, 2008 Watchtower on page 28 states:

“Our coming to know “the truth” – the entire body of Christian teachings that has become part of the Bible – and adhering to it are essential for salvation.”

“The truth” refers to all the teachings and doctrines of the Watchtower Society. Of course, the Watchtower Society instructions to Jehovah’s Witnesses include the notion that their teachings encompass “the entire body of Christian teachings”.

Respecting the statement quoted above not only is the Watchtower Society claiming that following their teachings are essential for salvation, additionally “the entire body of Christian teachings” such as information and doctrine found in the Watchtower magazine, has become part of the Bible.

What is the Scriptural viewpoint of such a claim?

Deuteronomy 4:2 – “You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.”

Deuteronomy 12:32 – “Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.”

Proverbs 30:5-6 – “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.”

Revelation 22:18-19 – “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”

What organization continues to add to the Word of God?

Between the two, what should a person follow… the Word of God or the Watchtower Society?

Flip-Flops

2008-12-10T15:07:00.013-05:00

The Watchtower Society focuses on the scripture in Proverbs 4:18 as support of their changing or developing doctrines. That verse states:

"But the path of the righteous ones is like the bright light that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established."

Far from being justification for an organization's change in doctrine, the verse when read in its context (In other words, read the entire chapter) concerns advice from a father to his children. It is not to be taken in part as an excuse or a crutch to be used by an organization for modification of their teachings.

Nonetheless, we will go along with the notion that Proverbs 4:18 is justification for light of an organization getting brighter - aka - explanation for a complete change in doctrine. The problem though with this and as Jehovah's Witnesses should be aware of is the light should always become brighter and understanding clearer. Jehovah certainly would not lead His organization back to an old teaching! Even more so, He would not lead an organization into spiritual darkness on a matter for decades. That just would not make any sense.

What do the facts prove?

Organ Transplants...

-1961 = Conscience choice.
[Watchtower August 1, 1961 'Question from Readers']

-1967 = Cannibalistic.
[Watchtower November 15, 1967 ‘Questions from Readers’]

-1980 = Conscience choice.
[Watchtower March 15, 1980, page 31]

So, the light in 1967 becomes brighter than it was in 1961 and Jehovah's Witnesses are taught Organ Transplants are now cannibalistic. However, 13 years later the light becomes brighter again and in 1980, Jehovah's Witnesses are taught Organ Transplants are no longer cannibalistic but a conscience choice, which is actually returning back to their previous stance in 1961.

Resurrection of the Men of Sodom...

-1879 = Yes.
[Watchtower July 1879, page 8]

-1952 = No.
[Watchtower June 1, 1952, page 338]

-1965 = Yes.
[Watchtower August 1, 1965, page 479]

-1982 = Yes.
[Live Forever Paradise Earth 1982 edition, page 179]

-1988 = No.
[Watchtower June 1, 1988 page 31]

-1988 = Yes.
[Insight on the Scriptures Volume 2, page 985]

-1989 = No.
[Our Kingdom Ministry, December 1989, page 7]

-1989 = No.
[Live Forever Paradise Earth 1989 edition, page 179]

The number of times the Watchtower Society's teaching changes concerning the resurrection of the Men of Sodom is staggering. Does the above read as divine direction, "brighter light" coming from Jehovah, or just an organization haphazardly guessing and arbitrarily deciding what to teach?

Superior Authorities (Romans 13:1)...

-1886 = Worldly Governments or Authorities
[Studies in the Scriptures Series I - The Divine Plan of the Ages (1886 edition) page 250]

-1916 = Worldly Governments or Authorities
[Studies in the Scriptures Series I - The Divine Plan of the Ages (1916 edition) page 266]

-1929 = Jehovah God and Jesus Christ
[Watchtower June 1 and June 15, 1929]

-1950 = Jehovah God and Jesus Christ
[This Means Everlasting Life (1950) page 197]

-1962 = Worldly Governments or Authorities
[Babylon the Great Has Fallen! God's Kingdom Rules! (1962) page 548]

-1990 = Worldly Governments or Authorities
[Watchtower November 1, 1990, page 11]

So the "Superior Authorities" were Worldly Governments or Authorities from 1886-1929. From 1929-1962 new light flashed forth making the "Superior Authorities" Jehovah and Jesus. Then finally more new light flashing forth brought the teachings of “Super Authorities” to Jehovah's Witnesses from 1962 onward back to the original teaching of 1886.

This Generation (Mathew 24:34)...

-1927 = The Anointed
[Watchtower February 15, 1927 page 62]

-1942 = Anyone alive to see 1914
[Watchtower July 1, 1942 page 204]

-1995 = Wicked People alive today
[Watchtower November 1, 1995 page 19]

-2008 = The Anointed
[Watchtower February 15, 2008 page 24]

From an analysis of the Watchtower Society’s teaching concerning "This Generation" as recorded in Matthew, it was first ‘correct’ in 1927. But brighter light caused it to become an incorrect teaching of a couple of different things over the course of 81 years, only to return back to the original ‘correct’ 1927 teaching. Again, why would God direct His organization in such a fashion?

While the Watchtower Society loves to focus attention to Proverbs 4:18, perhaps Jehovah's Witnesses should be paying more attention to the verse that follows it. In Proverbs 4:19 it states:

"The way of the wicked ones is like the gloom; they have not known at what they keep stumbling."

Based on the facts above, which scripture better describes the teachings of the Watchtower Society?

Faithful and Discreet Slave – Which One?

2008-12-01T11:34:00.012-05:00

Group or Individual?

A. Always a close unified group “family”, not individuals scattered who took part with false religion and their teachings. [Watchtower January 15, 1975 page 46, 47; You Can Live Forever page 193]

B. Scattered individuals who took part in false religion being among weed-like Christendom. [Jehovah’s Witnesses: Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom page 44; Watchtower July 15, 1960 page 435]

Light?

A. Progressive light - It always gets brighter. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 paragraph 14, page 435 bound volume]

B. Flickered out - Slave was in spiritual darkness - inactivity at one point - requiring restoration. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 paragraph 17, page 435 bound volume; Watchtower July 15, 1960 paragraph 20, page 436 bound volume]

Practices?

A. Slave remained as wheat shining bright as the sun. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 paragraph 16, page 435 bound volume]

B. Beliefs and practices were the same as weed-like Christendom. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 paragraph 18, page 436 bound volume]

Found to be?

A. Showing loyalty and integrity remaining strong in the true faith. Jesus Christ rewarded them when he returned invisibly. [Watchtower February 15, 1975 pages 109-111, bound volume]

B. Having garments polluted and unclean from being associated with apostasy for a very long time. Christ punished them and sent them into captivity. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 paragraph 18, page 435 bound volume]

History?

A. The slave has been continuously feeding truth and existing for over 1900 years. [Watchtower March 1, 1981 page 24]

B. After the death of the Apostles, a great apostasy took over where the slave became mixed-up with Christendom. [Watchtower August 1, 1981 paragraph 6, page 23]

Established?

A. Jesus established the faithful and discreet slave class/organization in 33 C.E. [Watchtower, February 15, 1975 page 109, bound volume]

B. Russell established the faithful and discreet slave class/organization in the late 1870’s [Jehovah’s Witnesses: Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom page 44, 45]

Domination?

A. Remained loyal resulting in the evil slave never dominated them. [Watchtower, February 15, 1975 page 109, 110 bound volume]

B. Remained loyal but become part of weed-like Christendom and temporarily disappeared from view. [Watchtower July 1, 1994 page 5]

Kingdom interest?

A. Jehovah God would not put Kingdom interest in the hands of spiritual babes or a novice organization. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 page 436, bound volume]

B. Jehovah God placed all His kingdom interest in the hands of a novice organization, which supposedly just emerged from but still held on to many beliefs and practices of weed-like Christendom in addition to Pagan teachings which originated from other places. [Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Divine Purpose, page 91].

Feeding?

A. Slave fed itself as well as every generation thereafter with all members of the slave being fed well spiritually. [Watchtower January 15, 1975 page 46, bound volume]

B. Slave unable to feed anyone as they were scattered or isolated with the death of the Apostles and associating with false religion. They needed to come into historic view again. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 page 435, bound volume; Watchtower February 15, 1980 paragraph 12, page 16]

After captivity?

A. In 1919, released and blessed with greater privileges since they were now cleansed from any religious defilement. [Watchtower July 1, 1982 paragraph 21, page 24]

B. In 1919, the slave continued to lead and promote Pagan ideas and practices for decades later. [Watchtower January 1, 1940 page 16; Jehovah’s Witnesses: Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, page 198]

Restoration?

A. Restored in the late nineteenth century, the slave was revived. [Watchtower July 15, 1960 page 435 Bound Volume]

B. There was no unified slave to receive the light, in turn, unable to restore the truth that was lost since they had disappeared from view. [Watchtower July 1, 1994 page 5]

God works?

A. Only though an organization – The Bible can not be understood or interpreted by individuals regardless of the amount of Bible reading they may perform. [Watchtower October 1, 1994 page 8; You Can Live Forever page 193]

B. By means of giving Russell the ability to comprehend and interpret scripture, God worked through Russell to restore truth which was lost for centuries prior. “He revived the great truths...He was permitted to understand it…The promise of the Lord was fulfilled in him.” [Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Divine Plan, page 17]

All the above statements are taught by the so-called Faithful and Discreet Slave Class in the aforementioned publications and many others from the Watchtower Society. It highlights the confusing and contradictory history taught by the Watchtower Society in describing the Faithful and Discreet Slave. Not only is there major fault in the opposing views, but many of the statements individually are false. Do the research and insist to know “The Truth”.

False Prophets - Part I: 1975

2008-11-26T14:36:00.008-05:00

The Bible provides clear instructions on how followers of the true God can distinguish a false prophet. In the Bible book of Deuteronomy chapter 18 in verses 20-22 it indicates the following according to the New World Translation:

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

Is the Watchtower Society a false prophet? We will examine what their very own writings and teachings have to say on the matter. In this entry we will focus on the year 1975.

Notice the following writings of the Watchtower Society:

The magazine Awake! From October 18, 1966 on page 19 states:

"In what year, then, would the first 6,000 years of man's existence and also the first 6,000 years of God's rest day come to an end? The year 1975."

Our Kingdom Ministry from March 1968 on page 4 states:

"Just think, brothers, there are only about ninety months left before 6,000 years of man’s existence on earth is completed. Do you remember what we learned at the assemblies last summer? The majority of people living today will probably be alive when Armageddon breaks out..."

The Watchtower from August 15, 1968 states in the bound volume on page 499:

"Are we to assume from this study that the battle of Armageddon will be all over by the autumn of 1975, and the long-looked-for thousand-year reign of Christ will begin by then? Possibly…It may involve only a difference of weeks or months, not years."

Our Kingdom Ministry from June 1969 on page 3 states the following:

"…in view of the short time left, a decision to pursue a career in this system of things is not only unwise but extremely dangerous....Many young brothers and sisters were offered scholarship or employment that promised fine pay. However, they turned them down and put spiritual interests first."

The Watchtower, October 15, 1969 when researched in the bound volume found on page 623:

"More recently earnest researchers of the Holy Bible have made a recheck of its chronology. According to their calculations the six millenniums of mankind’s life on earth would end in the mid seventies. Thus the seventh millennium from man’s creation by Jehovah God would begin within less than ten years...Would not, then, the end of six millenniums of mankind’s enslavement under Satan the Devil be the fitting time for Jehovah God to usher in a Sabbath millennium for his human creatures? Yes, Indeed!"

Our Kingdom Ministry on page 3 in the May 1974 edition states:

"Reports are heard of brothers selling their homes and property and planning to finish out the rest of their days in this old system in the pioneer service. Certainly this is a fine way to spend the short time remaining before the wicked world's end."

The Truth Book, primary study aid for Jehovah’s Witnesses to use with Bible Students published prior to the year 1975 reads as follows on page 9 under ‘Grand Blessings from God Near at Hand!’:

“Also, as reported back in 1960, a former United States Secretary of State, Dean Acheson, declared that our time is "a period of unequaled instability, unequaled violence." And he warned: "I know enough of what is going on to assure you that, in fifteen years from today, this world is going to be too dangerous to live in." [Note: 15 years from 1960=1975]

While all of the above proved to be false prophecies, does this mean the Watchtower Society is a false prophet? While the Watchtower Society has made false statements and predicitions, have they claimed to be prophets?

Notice this last claim made by the Watchtower Society from the Watchtower April 1, 1972, found in the bound volume on page 197:

"'They Shall Know that a Prophet Was Among Them'...This “prophet” was not one man, but was a body of men and women. It was the small group of footstep followers of Jesus Christ, known at that time as International Bible Students. Today they are known as Jehovah’s Christian witnesses. They are still proclaiming a warning, and have been joined and assisted in their commissioned work by hundreds of thousands of persons who have listened to their message with belief.”

The Watchtower Society themselves have claimed to be prophets whether they are called Jehovah's Witnesses or what they were known prior as "International Bible Students".

Interestingly, here's some additional insight by the Watchtower Society:

"Jehovah, the God of the true prophets, will put all false prophets to shame either by not fulfilling the false prediction of such self-assuming prophets or by having His own predictions fulfilled in a way opposite to that predicted by the false prophets." – From Paradise Restored to Mankind - by Theocracy on page 47.

The Watchtower Society also published these words in the Watchtower from April 15, 1972 as can be located in the bound volume on page 250:

“The Bible gives us a striking example of this. It emphasizes the point that, even though sincere, an individual or even an entire organization can fall far short of exclusive devotion to God.”

Indeed, God has shown the Watchtower Society to be false prophets, and yes the entire organization has fallen short of exclusive devotion to God. When an organization’s leaders prove to be false prophets, should a person follow and trust the directions and instructions they provide?

Do not confuse individual Jehovah’s Witnesses with the organization as a whole. You may know sincere individuals who are Jehovah’s Witnesses; but who are they following? Who provides instructions and directions for them? What publications are used? Is not the Watchtower Society using the Watchtower, Kingdom Ministries, and other publications that have been highlighted above?

What false prophecies is the Watchtower Society teaching now as “The Truth”?

The council found in 1 John 4:1 is certainly fitting for Jehovah’s Witnesses and any individual who follows any person, organization's teachings or writings:

“…do not believe every inspired expression, but test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world.”