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."
Friday, April 4, 2014
Monday, October 7, 2013
A New Bible - The Revised 2013 New World Translation
A revised, New World Translation Bible has been released to Jehovah's Witnesses, during their Annual General Meeting this year. This 2013 revision is supposed to make for a better, easier reading in a modern English language.
However, there is much more to it than just that. They have catered verses and manipulated others (Even more so than the previous edition) to suit their teachings and agenda.
Some more noteworthy aspects include the complete removal of Mark 16:9-20 and John 7:58 thru 8:11 from the Gospel accounts.
A softer, kinder ‘Father’, Jehovah is presented that does not promote women to be raped or treated like property. For instance, Numbers 31: 17, 18 as presented in the previous revision from 1984 states:
"And now kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has had intercourse with man by lying with a male. And preserve alive for yourselves all the little ones among the women who have not known the act of lying with a male."
In the 2013 Revision it now states:
"Now you should kill every male among the children and kill every woman who has had sexual relations with a man. But you may keep alive all the young girls who have not had sexual relations with a man."
This provides the opportunity for Jehovah's Witnesses to believe and promote that they have a better picture of how loving Jehovah is and only those other (false) religions state from their (false) Bibles that God wanted the virgins to be taken by the men. Their organization has increased light and understanding.
To promote the Watchtower's teaching of Jesus dying on a stake instead of a cross, they have changed the scripture in John 19:6. In the previous 1984 edition, the verse reads:
"However, when the chief priests and the officers saw him, they shouted, saying: "Impale [him]! Impale [him]!" Pilate said to them: "Take him yourselves and impale him, for I do not find any fault in him."
In this new 2013 revision, they changed the scripture to suit their doctrine better:
"However, when the chief priests and the officers saw him, they shouted: "To the stake with him! To the stake with him!" Pilate said to them: "Take him yourselves and execute him, for I do not find any fault in him."
Additional manipulation to verses includes the Watchtower Society replacing previous listings of 'older men' to 'elders' to harmonize with their congregational arrangement.
Further along those lines, the term 'loose conduct' has been replaced with 'brazen conduct', which has been defined to the elders essentially as the going against anything the elder's state or implement.
It provides greater latitude to the body of elders to make judgments as they see fit towards, not just the actions, but also the attitude of a Jehovah's Witness. They have the potential to become more authoritarian and control the congregation better.
The Watchtower Society even managed to slip in their business originating term of 'governing body' into the 2013 revision of the New World Translation under the highlights section for Acts chapter 15, on page 1459:
It marks another change to the Bible to give support to the Watchtower Society ideas and practices towards Jehovah’s Witnesses; specifically, that such a group existed back in the first century and that the current spiritual leaders of the Watchtower Society (A few men who sit at headquarters), are carrying on that legacy.
The Watchtower Society promotes on the surface what may appear to many, if not most Jehovah's Witnesses, just a better and easier to read Bible. The reality is this 2013 revision is one that has been further manipulated from their own prior translation in an appeal to authority to promote their agenda and teaching with little regard to original texts, despite their claims to the contrary.
The leaders of the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses want to control the information and manipulate emotions with this updated Bible, which in turn will impact the follower’s behavior and thinking. All to the praise and honor of the organization...'Praise the Watchtower you people!'
However, there is much more to it than just that. They have catered verses and manipulated others (Even more so than the previous edition) to suit their teachings and agenda.
Some more noteworthy aspects include the complete removal of Mark 16:9-20 and John 7:58 thru 8:11 from the Gospel accounts.
A softer, kinder ‘Father’, Jehovah is presented that does not promote women to be raped or treated like property. For instance, Numbers 31: 17, 18 as presented in the previous revision from 1984 states:
In the 2013 Revision it now states:
This provides the opportunity for Jehovah's Witnesses to believe and promote that they have a better picture of how loving Jehovah is and only those other (false) religions state from their (false) Bibles that God wanted the virgins to be taken by the men. Their organization has increased light and understanding.
To promote the Watchtower's teaching of Jesus dying on a stake instead of a cross, they have changed the scripture in John 19:6. In the previous 1984 edition, the verse reads:
"However, when the chief priests and the officers saw him, they shouted, saying: "Impale [him]! Impale [him]!" Pilate said to them: "Take him yourselves and impale him, for I do not find any fault in him."
In this new 2013 revision, they changed the scripture to suit their doctrine better:
Additional manipulation to verses includes the Watchtower Society replacing previous listings of 'older men' to 'elders' to harmonize with their congregational arrangement.
Further along those lines, the term 'loose conduct' has been replaced with 'brazen conduct', which has been defined to the elders essentially as the going against anything the elder's state or implement.
It provides greater latitude to the body of elders to make judgments as they see fit towards, not just the actions, but also the attitude of a Jehovah's Witness. They have the potential to become more authoritarian and control the congregation better.
The Watchtower Society even managed to slip in their business originating term of 'governing body' into the 2013 revision of the New World Translation under the highlights section for Acts chapter 15, on page 1459:
It marks another change to the Bible to give support to the Watchtower Society ideas and practices towards Jehovah’s Witnesses; specifically, that such a group existed back in the first century and that the current spiritual leaders of the Watchtower Society (A few men who sit at headquarters), are carrying on that legacy.
The Watchtower Society promotes on the surface what may appear to many, if not most Jehovah's Witnesses, just a better and easier to read Bible. The reality is this 2013 revision is one that has been further manipulated from their own prior translation in an appeal to authority to promote their agenda and teaching with little regard to original texts, despite their claims to the contrary.
The leaders of the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses want to control the information and manipulate emotions with this updated Bible, which in turn will impact the follower’s behavior and thinking. All to the praise and honor of the organization...'Praise the Watchtower you people!'
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
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
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
Monday, June 10, 2013
A House Divided
Jehovah's Witnesses, which one is it?
When is the Watchtower Society correct?
"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." - Awake July 2009, Page 29.
Or
"Really, what your beloved family member needs to see is your resolute stance to put Jehovah above eveything else - including the family bond." - Watchtower, January 15, 2013, Page 16.
It is impossible to uphold both statements. To try and do so would be hypocritical.
When is the Watchtower Society correct?
"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." - Awake July 2009, Page 29.
Or
"Really, what your beloved family member needs to see is your resolute stance to put Jehovah above eveything else - including the family bond." - Watchtower, January 15, 2013, Page 16.
It is impossible to uphold both statements. To try and do so would be hypocritical.
Friday, May 24, 2013
Abandoned and New Teachings
If you have read the July 15, 2013 (Study Edition) Watchtower as a Jehovah's Witness, it means the following to you:
-The Watchtower Society had previously asserted that a Faithful and Discreet Slave Class has been in continual existence since the first century. That has been abandoned.
-CT Russell was a member of the faithful slave and passed on the 'truths' of the Faithful and Discreet Slave into modern times. That has been abandoned.
-The Watchtower Society has always taught that the Faithful and Discreet Slave is all anointed ones on earth. That has been abandoned.
-The Watchtower Society had rejected the idea in the past that the Faithful and Discreet Slave is a small, elite group in the Organization (See March 1, 1981 Watchtower, pp. 24-26). Now, it teaches precisely that idea, and calls what it used to reject as "apostate" thinking, "new light". That is new.
- The Faithful and Discreet Slave is now exclusively the Governing Body (A few men residing at the Brooklyn headquarters). That is new.
-The Watchtower Society used to teach that Jesus came invisibly in 1918 or 1919, inspected the Bible Students, chose them and appointed them over all his belongings. This has been abandoned.
-The Watchtower Society now teaches that Jesus appointed Rutherford as the first Faithful and Discreet Slave member in 1919, and appointing them over all his belongings will not happen until he arrives in the future. That is new.
-The Watchtower Society used to teach that only the anointed were part of the domestics. This has been abandoned.
-The domestics are made up of both the anointed and great crowd. This is new.
Essentially, the Watchtower Society has abandoned core doctrines it has held as absolute truth from God for decades - some close to 100 years - and, without admitting it, is now teaching those doctrines were false, replacing them with new beliefs.
-The Watchtower Society had previously asserted that a Faithful and Discreet Slave Class has been in continual existence since the first century. That has been abandoned.
-CT Russell was a member of the faithful slave and passed on the 'truths' of the Faithful and Discreet Slave into modern times. That has been abandoned.
-The Watchtower Society has always taught that the Faithful and Discreet Slave is all anointed ones on earth. That has been abandoned.
-The Watchtower Society had rejected the idea in the past that the Faithful and Discreet Slave is a small, elite group in the Organization (See March 1, 1981 Watchtower, pp. 24-26). Now, it teaches precisely that idea, and calls what it used to reject as "apostate" thinking, "new light". That is new.
- The Faithful and Discreet Slave is now exclusively the Governing Body (A few men residing at the Brooklyn headquarters). That is new.
-The Watchtower Society used to teach that Jesus came invisibly in 1918 or 1919, inspected the Bible Students, chose them and appointed them over all his belongings. This has been abandoned.
-The Watchtower Society now teaches that Jesus appointed Rutherford as the first Faithful and Discreet Slave member in 1919, and appointing them over all his belongings will not happen until he arrives in the future. That is new.
-The Watchtower Society used to teach that only the anointed were part of the domestics. This has been abandoned.
-The domestics are made up of both the anointed and great crowd. This is new.
Essentially, the Watchtower Society has abandoned core doctrines it has held as absolute truth from God for decades - some close to 100 years - and, without admitting it, is now teaching those doctrines were false, replacing them with new beliefs.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Mormon Discrediting
The Watchtower Society often attacks and attempts to discredit the beliefs and teachings of various religions. In the February 1, 2013 issue of the Watchtower magazine, on page 9, it prints the following point that bothered a Mormon concerning their faith:
"I dug deeper into the teachings of my faith and also consulted with responsible Mormon Church leaders. I was told that the answers to my questions involved mysteries that one day would be solved as the light became brighter".
There could not be a clearer case of the pot calling the kettle black.
Fact is Jehovah's Witnesses are taught the same thing. Indeed, constant "new light" is always coming through the Watchtower Society's primary indoctrination tool the Watchtower magazine.
Perhaps the Watchtower should focus more on the Bible and less on attacking the faith of individuals, especially passages such as:
Matthew 7:3...
"And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?"
[New King James Version]
"I dug deeper into the teachings of my faith and also consulted with responsible Mormon Church leaders. I was told that the answers to my questions involved mysteries that one day would be solved as the light became brighter".
There could not be a clearer case of the pot calling the kettle black.
Fact is Jehovah's Witnesses are taught the same thing. Indeed, constant "new light" is always coming through the Watchtower Society's primary indoctrination tool the Watchtower magazine.
Perhaps the Watchtower should focus more on the Bible and less on attacking the faith of individuals, especially passages such as:
Matthew 7:3...
"And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?"
[New King James Version]
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
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
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