The Gilead Experience

From a friend as an open letter to all...

"I was in the 119th class of Gilead in 2005. From the time I graduated, it was another year or so before I resigned. In that time, all the pieces came together. 

JW's are taught and conditioned to respect their visible leaders, even though they pay lip service to Jesus as their leader. I got to see the 'pecking' order, and after I graduated, briefly joined it. My status shot up to an all time high. I was respected, even loved, because I went to Gilead and went to Africa. I thought that would be nice, although when I actually went through it, it really offended me. 

Sorry for the above rambling/prelude. The whole point of this is how JW's use and understand the bible. You see, on a very fundamental, foundational level, the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses (GB) don't use the bible the way JW's teach it at the door. I learned at Gilead that for the "mature" ones who "dine on solid spiritual food" (i.e. the highly indoctrinated zealots), the bible is all about "Christs brothers". Please note that when the Watchtower says "Christs brothers" they mean the GB. They mean the leadership. They mean, be obediant to us, or you will be diobediant to Jehovah... and his son, whats his name?? Jesus! 

It is little wonder that this is the last thing one learns as they start studying with JW's. It starts with paradise, living forever, Jehovah, Jesus, living a moral life, loving the congregation, replacing your family with the congregation, THEN, after you have developed some level of infatuation with this group and have undergone a sufficient amount of love bombing, you are introduced to the highly doubtable concepts of congregation authority, how Jehovah mysteriously rules through Jesus and this group of men Jesus inspected in 1918 and found them superior to every other Christian group on the planet. 

If you buy it, you want in, you get baptized. But remember, you are still new, still a babe, still "immature". All of this is code for: One who is not ready to really study and accept how the leadership of Jehovah's Witnesses use the bible to their own self serving means. 

It means you are still a babe to the fact that JW's really teach that practically ALL "faithful" OT charecters from Noah and Abraham through Elijah and Elishah and David to Hezekiah are prophetic of the Presidents of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. The one I refer to the most is as an answer to one of the questions on a Gilead test, Elijah prophetically pointed to Judge Rutherford, Elisha pointed to N H Knorr. That is my favorite, that is when I realized I was mislead. But to be fair, JW's teach that most all of these characters refer to the leadership of Jehovah's Witnesses, the Governing Body. (GB) 

"Mature" JW's is a misnomer. It has nothing to do with maturity. That is code for "willingness to believe whatever you are taught, and to follow whatever the GB says, even if they change back and forth on doctrine in a god-dishonering fasion." Mature ones are impatient with the immature for questioning what they are taught. Mature ones become elders, ministerial servants and pioneers more quickly because they blindly obey. To question, esp after any period of time elapsing after baptism, means you are "immature". 

Of course, this is all so self serving within the group. Another layer of indoctrination and peer pressure to keep everyone in line. Gilead "taught" me this. I learned that within the GB world view, it is scriptural to be nutty about anything the WT says, but to leave your brother cold and miserable and naked if they disagree with a teaching or doctrine. 

I know that there are some who don't and won't believe what I just said. That is their right. There will always be some people who are susceptible to high control groups and cults. But to those who were raised as JW's, to those who for some reason accepted and bought a bill of goods that they found wasn't real, they should know the truth about "the truth". They should know how cynically the bible is used by the leadership of this group to their own ends.

They should know that to the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses, the bible isn't about you. It isn't about Jehovah. It isn't about Jesus. Its all about them, the Governing Body, "Christs brothers", the Faithful and Discreet Slave. It's all about them, for them, and it is a sham. They are as prophetic as dead skin. THAT is what I learned at Gilead. THAT is what the bible is all about to the leadership of Jehovah's Witnesses."

Errant Beliefs - Part Three

Whether you believe Jehovah’s Witnesses are God’s chosen people, the only ‘true’ Christians, just another religion, a high level control group, or a cult, the fact is conscientiously or not, the practices and methods of Jehovah’s Witnesses incorporate usage of the BITE model found and employed within high level control groups and cults.

The BITE model describes various controls over human behavior, information, thought and emotion.

In a series of postings to this blog, eight points will be briefly highlighted – one per post - concerning errant beliefs in respects to cult and high level control group involvement.


POINT THREE: "He Has The Right To Believe What He Wants To Believe."

Some think they should not interfere due to the above perspective. Truth is, members may seem to be exercising their own free will, but this is an illusion.

When people in a controlled environment are subjected to psychosocial influences - like group conformity or behavior modification techniques - they can be manipulated into accepting a completely different belief system.

For anyone born into a belief system - religious, political or other - there comes a time when they should challenge and test assumptions. This process applies not just to cult members - It is a necessity for all mature, responsible people.


Source: Chapter 5 - "Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs" by Steven Hassan

Errant Beliefs - Part Two

Whether you believe Jehovah’s Witnesses are God’s chosen people, the only ‘true’ Christians, just another religion, a high level control group, or a cult, the fact is conscientiously or not, the practices and methods of Jehovah’s Witnesses incorporate usage of the BITE model found and employed within high level control groups and cults.

The BITE model describes various controls over human behavior, information, thought and emotion.

In a series of postings to this blog, eight points will be briefly highlighted – one per post - concerning errant beliefs in respects to cult and high level control group involvement.


POINT TWO: "He's An Adult, We Have No Right To Interfere."

Many say this about not helping a cult member. However, if a friend or family member questions his right to interfere, remind him that his love gives him the right to be concerned.

If a loved one is under the influence of destructive influence, relatives and friends have the right and the obligation to take steps to undo the process.

Once the cult member has an opportunity to learn about and recognize the features of destructive cults, and meet with former members and critics, he will be in a position to make an informed decision.

Source: Chapter 5 - "Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs" by Steven Hassan

Errant Beliefs - Part One

Whether you believe Jehovah’s Witnesses are God’s chosen people, the only ‘true’ Christians, just another religion, a high level control group, or a cult, the fact is conscientiously or not, the practices and methods of Jehovah’s Witnesses incorporate usage of the BITE model found and employed within high level control groups and cults.

The BITE model describes various controls over human behavior, information, thought and emotion.

In a series of postings to this blog, eight points will be briefly highlighted – one per post - concerning errant beliefs in respects to cult and high level control group involvement.


POINT ONE: "Why Should I Do Anything? He Says He's Happy!"

Many people say this regarding not helping a loved one escape a cult. Members of the Heaven's Gate cult each made videotaped farewell statements that explained why they had decided to leave their vehicles-i.e., their bodies- and commit suicide. All of them claimed that they were exercising their own free will, and that they were happy to die.

It is unwise to accept at face value a cult member's words that he is happy. In a cult, happiness is often redefined as sacrifice or suffering. Happiness in Heaven's Gate was overcoming individuality and human nature and suicide was redefined as advancing to the next level. Ingesting fatal pills with applesauce and vodka, and placing plastic bags over their heads was seen as a necessary stage of the metamorphosis. The cult identity was happy to die. But, this cult identity was deliberately concocted to suit someone else’s aims. It does not represent the whole individual. You might tell those who are taken in by the cult identity to look behind the smiling mask. When the member says he is happy, the cult self is doing what it has been taught to do.


Source: Chapter 5 - "Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs" by Steven Hassan.

Revelation Trumpet Blasts

According to 'Revelation - Its Grand Climax At Hand', published by The Watchtower and Bible Tract Society, from the 2006 revision of the original 1988 published book, studied and believed to be "the truth" by Jehovah's Witnesses worldwide, angelic trumpet blasts and their prophetic significance is as follows:


Revelation 8:7
1st Angel Trumpet blown = September 10, 1922 convention in Cedar Point, Ohio.
[Page 134, paragraph 18]

Revelation 8:8, 9
2nd Angel Trumpet blown = August 18-26, 1923 convention in Los Angeles, California.
[Page 134, paragraph 22]

Revelation 8:10, 11
3rd Angel Trumpet blown = July 20-27, 1924 convention in Columbus, Ohio.
[Page 137, paragraph 33]

Revelation 8:12
4th Angel Trumpet blown = August 29, 1925 convention in Indianapolis, Indiana.
[Page 140, paragraph 39]

Revelation 9:1
5th Angel Trumpet blown = September 1-8, 1919 convention in Cedar Point, Ohio.
[Page 143, paragraph 5]
Additionally, led to emphasis of some judgments which brought "first woe" during May 25-31, 1926 convention in London, England.
[Page 147, paragraph 18]

Revelation 9:13, 14
6th Angel Trumpet blown = 1919 release from bondage.
[Page 149, paragraph 4]
Additionally, led to emphasis of some resolutions which brought "second woe" during July 24, 1927 convention in Ontario, Canada.
[Page 149, paragraph 5]

Revelation 11:15
7th Angel Trumpet blown = 1914 when Jehovah enthrones Jesus.
[Page 171, paragraph 2]
Additionally, led to "third woe" highlights at July 30 - August 6, 1928 convention in Detroit, Michigan.
[Page 172, paragraph 5]


Conclusively then, if the above is "the truth", it appears Jesus and John got their angelic trumpeting sequence of events out of order towards the end of the blasts. Nonetheless, it all aligned to advertise some conventions of a group of bible students who would later take on the name of "Jehovah's Witnesses".

The name of those bible students was picked by the second president of the company, J.F. Rutherford, who believed and preached the prophets of old would rise from the grave in 1925 and live in a mansion he had built for them. Meanwhile, he lived in that mansion - calling it Beth Sarim, located in San Diego, California. Furthermore, he purchased a big fancy automobile to drive the prophets around in after they rose from the dead, but used it for himself in the meantime.

Think about it. Supposedly, prophetic trumpet blasts written about thousands of years ago in which is arguably the most sacred and highly revered book of all time by many - The Holy Bible - were blown out of order by angels, but ultimately performed to announce convention events of a publishing company whose president and spiritual leader was involved with and preached about what is mentioned in the previous paragraph.

This is official doctrine, teaching, and beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Warwick Certainty

The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses know for a certainty that God:

-Does not want you to have even the slightest communication with ex-members, regardless if they are family [Watchtower, April 15, 2012, page 12].

-Gives individuals no salvation or true joy outside their organization [Watchtower, September 15, 1993, page 22].

-Discourages and rather you not pursue a college education [Kingdom Ministry, October 2011].

-Did not provide Jesus Christ as a mediator for all mankind [Worldwide Security Under the 'Prince of Peace', page 10, paragraph 16].

-Wants people, including children and babies to not receive life-saving blood transfusions [Watchtower, June 15, 2000, pages 29-31].

However, the Governing Body admits:

"Although we are not yet certain of Jehovah’s will regarding Warwick...We are proceeding to develop the site with the intention of relocating the world headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses there."

[Governing Body member, Guy H. Pierce - Watchtower, August 15, 2012, page 17].

Here is a glance of it:

The above lush, brand-new headquarters housing the Governing Body, the World Headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses, the 'capital' so to speak of the Watchtower Bible Tract Society, will be built and lived upon. The Watchtower Society will proceed, despite not being certain of Jehovah's will and spend millions upon millions of dollars.

Remember, they are certain: You should shun your family, not go to college, but pursue whatever 'spiritual' goals they set in their organization, refuse blood transfusions, Jesus is not your mediator, and there is no true joy or salvation for you outside their organization.

Nevertheless, what of the Great Tribulation? Armageddon is right around the corner, is it not?  The Governing Body has an answer to that. Again, Governing Body member Guy Pierce states in the same referenced journal:  
 

"If the great tribulation interrupts our plans, that will be wonderful, absolutely wonderful!"

Not certain of Jehovah's will for the headquarters of the supposedly only true organization serving him, and having plans interrupted by the Great Tribulation.  This comes from Jehovah's only channel of communication that provides the "greatly diversified wisdom of God" [Watchtower, October 1, 1994, page 8].  Does that make sense?

Meanwhile, the 7 million plus members, admonished not to go to college, don't look to improve your life unless in harmony with what the Watchtower Society approves, just serve the organization and obey what they tell you. The Governing Body has everything covered and planned for you, even more so for them.

Family Rejection

The Watchtower Society on one hand instills a strong directive about Jehovah's Witnesses rejecting former members, even if the person is their own flesh and blood.  On the other hand, they state members "endure extreme rejection" and are being "forsaken", when a non-Jehovah's Witness does likewise to a member of their organization.

From the July 15, 2012, Watchtower, page 24, in the article, "Of Whom Shall I Be In Dread?" under the sub-heading "Trust In God's Help":

"However, many today have had to endure extreme rejection by their family. Yet, many thus forsaken have found help and protection in the warmth of the Christian congregation."

The same organization, utilizing the same journal, just a few months prior in the April 15, 2012 issue, page 12, in the article, "Betrayal - An Ominous Sign Of Times!" under the sub-heading "Remain Loyal To Jehovah", admonished the following:

"However, because he did not receive even the slightest communication from any of his family, the burning desire to be with them became one motivating factor in his restoring his relationship with Jehovah. Think of that if you are ever tempted to violate God’s command not to associate with your disfellowshipped relatives."

So straight from the teaching tools of the organization, they acknowledge the damage done by rejection, but promote Jehovah's Witnesses to reject their own family if that individual is no longer a member of the organization. Consequently, the Watchtower Society completely ignores the untold numbers of broken homes and families that have been decimated by their interpretation of the bible.

A welcoming sanctuary is how the organization paints itself for those whose families take drastic action towards individuals who are members of the Jehovah's Witnesses religion, and overlooks that in many cases Watchtower doctrine and practices cause family break-ups, rather than being a solution for them.

They freely accuse families of forsaking their loved ones, without acknowledging that they encourage family members to forsake one another when it suits their agenda, even having the audacity to state it is "God's command".

Furthermore, what the organization is admonishing in the Watchtower article quoted above from April 15, 2012, is undeniably to carry out emotional blackmail.

It is another example of how Jehovah's Witnesses have hypocrisy instilled into their teachings, beliefs, and practices.

Disloyal, lack of love, no natural affection...You could be reading from 2 Timothy chapter 3, or you could be learning how Jehovah's Witnesses are taught to act towards family who do not agree with the Watchtower. It’s family rejection courtesy of the Watchtower Society.

Ignorance Is Bliss

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.

Organization Translation

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.

A Matter Of Trust

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.

Trust And Beyond

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

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

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 New Irish

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.

Governing Body = Jesus Christ

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]

Misunderstanding

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 Shunning Hypocrisy

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.