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← Is Watchtower imploding? 10 reasons why the end could be nigh
 
The Unexpected Kindness of the World
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Posted on July 21, 2015

Random acts of kindness by "worldly" people are not as rare as most Witnesses might expect
Random acts of kindness by “worldly” people are not as rare as most Witnesses might expect

As a Jehovah’s Witness child, our religious community was seen as a spiritual paradise in contrast to all other organizations on earth. This mindset was routinely emphasized in Watchtower publications.
One Watchtower assures us that “[God] has made it possible for honest hearted ones to move out of the wicked world, figuratively speaking, and into the spiritual paradise that he has created.” (“Dwell on What Jehovah Has Done for You,” Watchtower, 15 January 2011)
Our worldwide brotherhood did seem rather impressive to my young mind. Wherever we were, it was no rare thing to find ourselves staying over and sharing dinner with new Witness “friends.” Over a home cooked meal we’d swap “How did you come into the truth?” stories, make small-talk over the latest Watchtower publications, and after us kids were hushed away to listen to taped Bible dramas, the adults might engage in gossip over those that had recently succumbed to the world.
“The world” was JW jargon to encapsulate everyone that didn’t happen to also be one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Faithful members were encouraged to be vigilant, because any number of demonic lures could snatch a loyal Witness from Jehovah’s organization into the clutches of the wicked world.  A hushed mention of the term was enough to carry my mind to Live Forever book illustrations; I mentally transposed the faces of the disfellowshipped over those of opium addicts, disco harlots, and gay cowboys.
1982_Live_Forever_Pg_131
Live Forever book, page 131
 
1982_Live_Forever_Pg_182
Live Forever book, page 182
 
This condemnation was not exclusively reserved for the unreligious. Other Christian faiths were considered to be part of the wicked world. And our religious publications seldom wasted an opportunity to contrast the JW version of Christianity with our competitors.
For example, the 2014 Yearbook contains the account of a Somali woman who accepted an invitation to visit a Kingdom Hall. There she grew angry when no one welcomed her and stormed out of the door. Later when she told her experience to the Witness that had invited her, they all realized that she had mistakenly visited another church building. The anecdote ends by sharing that the Somali woman eventually found the Kingdom Hall, was warmly welcomed, and became a regular attender.
Accounts like this are used to infer that even among the religions of “the world” there is no kindness like that of the Witnesses. There is another undercurrent that runs through this and similar JW anecdotes. A warm welcome is merely the first step in the conversion process.
As an adult, I began to see that the JW version of kindness didn’t always match the Watchtower picture. The initial love bombing was soon replaced by a sort of caste system that celebrated those that held position and disregarded those that didn’t live up to the heavy load imposed by the Governing Body. And those that ran afoul of any number of the religion’s rules might be expelled.
Witnesses that once rushed to embrace someone entering through the front door would as quickly turn away from someone shoved out the back. I experienced this myself when I was disfellowshipped for the crime of not agreeing.
After separating from the Witnesses, I accepted invitations to visit other churches. In attending some of these religious rivals, I couldn’t help but notice similarities. As I entered old churches, converted theaters, and the occasional dank basement, I was bombarded by smiling, Holy book-holding people. Questions such as “Who are you?” and “Are you visiting?” were quickly followed by invitations for Bible study and baptism. The jargon was different but the experiences weren’t far off from my JW background.
It also wasn’t rare for those groups to claim exclusivity due to the love they showed one another. An acquaintance that was raised in a high control group, commonly called the 2×2’s, talked about how his own childhood was marked by religious-vacations to stay at the houses of various “friends.” His mother was proud that they could count on anyone of their faith to take them in off the road. It sounded like my own family.
After I separated from the JW religion, it was sometimes a challenge to integrate into the world. A discomfort or awkwardness lingered when associating with people of different backgrounds. The stigma was all on me due to my upbringing. But over time I widened out and met people of different backgrounds – some of whom became real friends.
Recently I took a trip to western North Carolina, a scenic area on the east coast of the United States. My girlfriend and I were hosted by a couple who lived half-way up a tall mountain with gorgeous views of the scenery. We were complete strangers, just introduced online. We made shrimp and steak tacos for our hosts as a small thanks for the paradise-like accommodations that would have rivaled the most exclusive resort. As we drank frosty bottles of Negra Modelo with our new friends, we learned about their incredible lives.
mountain_home
The North Carolina mountain retreat where we stayed
 
He was 60’s student who enlisted in the military to serve in the Vietnam war before getting out as an objector after a crisis of conscience. Back home he became a street flower vendor before opening his own shop. She was an ethnobotanist that toured the world conducting research for National Geographic. He told us about the local foliage. She told us that cannibals loved SPAM, because it allegedly tastes like human flesh.

For example, many use tobacco, chew betel nut, or take drugs for recreational purposes. – “A Godly View of Life”, What Does the Bible Teach?
And she told us about betel nut. As a JW, betel nut was considered another of Satan’s machinations that could catapult an unsuspecting Witness straight into the world. It was up there with marijuana and tobacco, though no one seemed to know exactly what it was. Our host told us that betel nut was chewed by islanders from the age of nine onward. It resulted in addiction and the loss of teeth. Thanks to the Watchtower I dodged the bullet on that one. I could have had dentures at eleven!
The couple enthusiastically explained that they had made hospitality their way of life since touring Europe as young adults. Although decades had past, they vividly gave accounts of being approached to share a tent, roof or meal. When they returned to the States, they wanted to do the same and have continued to open their home to others passing through.
As we toured the local downtown an Eastern-European girl approached asking for directions. She was working as a counselor at a rural summer camp and was planning to walk back. The couple insisted they drive her. As we dropped her off and waved goodbye, we exchanged smiles and waves that transcended language. And there were no religious tracts exchanged.
We only stayed two nights, though our hosts implored us to stay more. Instead we set out to explore the local area, camping high in the middle of an expansive forest. By day we ventured down into the valley towns and city. One night we ended up staying too late enjoying cocktails and local music. A greeting to another couple led to another invitation to stay over.
The next afternoon another set of new acquaintances took care of our lunch bill. Beyond hospitality and food, we received housing advice, job leads, personal tours, conversation, and more. All came without an expectation of anything in return, not even a visit to a church building.
In religions like JW’s, kindness is not free or without conditions. When directed toward outsiders it is with the anticipation that it will lead to a conversion. But as easily as it is given, it quickly goes away whenever someone runs afoul of the religion. It’s true that in many places in the world kindness may be rare, but to insinuate that it can only come within one tiny Christian sect is simply false. It’s a lie told to enforce us-versus-them style thought control.
The more I’m exposed to the world, the more I’m exposed to genuinely kind people that give from the heart rather than religious obligation. And like my hosts, it motivates me to want to show similar kindness to others. Have you ever experienced unexpected kindness from “the world?” Please share it in the comments.
 
 
anthony-signature2
Anthony Mathenia is the author of a new JW fiction novel Happiness, Next Exit, to be released August 24th. Follow him on Twitter at @armathenia.


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← Is Watchtower imploding? 10 reasons why the end could be nigh
 
54 Responses to The Unexpected Kindness of the World

 sally1914 says:

 July 21, 2015 at 4:30 am
 
The experience I’m sharing was my daughter’s. She and her husband went grocery shopping, gathering just over $100.00 worth of food. When they went to pay, every one of their credit cards/debit cards were declined! Close to tears, they had a stranger come along and pay their bill. They gave thanks to the Lord for providing. She has plans to open a room over the garage in her new home, for the homeless. They told me of this with wonder and tears.
Reply
 
 
 Angus Robertson says:

 July 21, 2015 at 4:51 am
 
Great article. Since leaving have experienced so much unconditional kindness from neighbors and strangers alike. The support offered when my wife and I were DF’d (again for not agreeing) was incredible. You don’t need religion to be a good person and cults certainly do not hold exclusivity on hospitality.
Reply
 
 
 Kat says:

 July 21, 2015 at 4:54 am
 
Being and older citizen and don’t drive because of a disability, my neighbor is always asking if they can take me to help with my shopping, this terrible worldly person asks nothing in return, however if I don’t ask JW they wont offer.
Reply
 
 
 Andrea says:

 July 21, 2015 at 5:54 am
 
This was one of the eye-opening things for me when I left the JW community.
 I had previously thought that there may not be a lot of kindness or generosity to see outside the org. How mistaken I was – so many people, some complete strangers, have turned out to be so kind or helpful without any agenda or expecting anything in return. I’ve similarly have met mean people, but I’ve also experienced the same from within the organisation… Truly, kindness or meanness is not determined by religion or lack thereof.
Reply
 
 
 Jill Hileman says:

 July 21, 2015 at 6:28 am
 
It seems we all have the similar experience of shock and some level of dismay when “worldly people” prove to be so much more than the religious stamp assigned to them, so much more than the stark portrait painted to keep us distant and fearful.
Reply
 
 
 Thinking of leaving says:

 July 21, 2015 at 7:10 am
 
To be honest I found the way I was treated when exiting to be some what perplexing. I was actively involved (well at least superficially as a publisher)for 4 decades in the religion.On finding out TTATT and beginning my fade I had not one elders visit, and only 3 publishers on 2 separate visits could be bothered to knock on my door to see how I was. In my life time I knew 1000s of witnesses and it still blows my mind to think how they will mindlessly go D2D knocking on empty houses and yet give so little attention to those exiting out the back door. Well it’s not like I’m complaining however. Keep up the good work Watchtower!!
Reply
 
 Ken says:

 July 21, 2015 at 7:31 pm
 
I had a shepherding call from a ” Sister” I knew from my childhood Kingdom Hall , she knocked on my door in 2008 after my father passed on . Strangely we left the J Ws back in 1985 . So think how long it’s been since I have actually seen a Jehovah witness ! It took them almost 20 years to remember me and my mother . It shows how leauk warm they are.
By the way Iam still waiting for the Saturday morning knock…..
Reply
 
 
 
 StrongHaiku says:

 July 21, 2015 at 7:25 am
 
That was a great article and resonated with me. You asked the question ‘Have you ever experienced unexpected kindness from “the world?”’. I would answer with an unequivocal ‘yes’. Further, I would say it wasn’t until I have been out for a while that I learned how I had been indoctrinated to be xenophobic, sexist, racist, classist, etc. by this religion and the God it follows. And, this makes sense as one of the central tenets of religion is to make the in-group feel privileged and special by dehumanizing and demonizing the out-group.
If you have left the JWs, you may be happy (and feel smart) that you no longer follow a corrupt organization. However, you may still have a lot of work to do to reconnect with your humanity. Take the time to revisit everything you believe (and assume) beyond the theology. You may find you are still carrying a lot of bad ideas and baggage.
When I compare who I am today vs. who I was before, I am ashamed. Based on how I see things today, I don’t think I was truly a good person then, but I am working on it…
Reply
 
 Steve McRoberts says:

 July 21, 2015 at 7:37 am
 
Great point, StrongHaiku. I feel exactly the same way.
Reply
 
 
 Darlene says:

 July 21, 2015 at 10:58 am
 
I feel the same and appreciate you bringing that out in hte open!
Reply
 
 Darlene says:

 July 21, 2015 at 10:59 am
 
the… typo. :-)
Reply
 
 Grace says:

 July 21, 2015 at 3:41 pm
 
@StrongHaiku,
Everything you said in that comment was so true & how much I observed over the years myself too. I couldn’t have said it any better than that. “Xenophobic, sexist, racist, classist”.
I happened to be watching the original 1984 movie with my nieces the other day. We go to the bit where the crowd were watching the big screen shouting “hate! hate! hate!” & I turned to my niece & said this is like the outward aggressive version of being a Witness. You’re subtly indoctrinated to hate. Hate the world, hate gays, hate other religions, hate anyone that is not a JW & sometimes even hate those that are, hate the disfellowshipped but most of all, HATE APOSTATES!!!!
And they can deny that they hate but at the end of the day, they are wishing for all of these people to be dead one day.
Reply
 
 anonymous says:

 July 21, 2015 at 8:40 pm
 
Grace, a couple days ago, my husband’s exact words were: “I revel at the thought of all those people dying at Armageddon”. He was talking about anybody who isn’t a JW. I repeated to him what he said in a question and he repeated it and said it again “Yes, I revel at the thought of all those people who aren’t Jehovah’s Witnesses dying at Armageddon.”
The Bible says that God doesn’t want anybody to be destroyed (2 Peter 3:9)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 Marty says:

 July 21, 2015 at 7:32 am
 
I experienced this when the JW I worked for, along with his son, suddenly let me go after 15 years of hard graft without as much as a “Thank You”.
Struggling financially I finally had a job offer from a “worldly” person for full time employment. The reason he asked me was that the guy he had before was unreliable, lazy, incompetent and a liability. That guy was, and still is a JW!
 So, yes there is such a thing as genuine kindness in the “World”!
P.S All the folks I have met since leaving this toxic cult have proven far more loving and sincere individuals than most of the JW’s I knew for the 23 years I was “in”
Reply
 
 
 Steve McRoberts says:

 July 21, 2015 at 7:33 am
 
Great post, Anthony!
Changing names, but here’s a true story.
Paul and Mary were in the same congregation and kept in touch by mail after he had faded and she had disassociated. There was no romantic ties, as there was a big age difference, and Mary was married: they were just friends. One day Mary wrote to Paul that her daughter, whom she had at 16 and had given up for adoption, was now an adult and had tracked her down. She and her daughter corresponded for a while, and they desperately wanted to meet in person. The problem was: they were both poor, and lived across the country from each other.
Paul, though he was working part-time as a janitor, bought a non-refundable round-trip plane ticket for Mary to visit her daughter, and mailed it to her. Mary was overjoyed and she flew to meet her daughter and had a tearful reunion.
A sad postscript: Shortly after this, Mary went back to the Witnesses and immediately cut off all contact with Paul.
Reply
 
 
 John Baptist says:

 July 21, 2015 at 8:30 am
 
First of all good article Anthony. These are subjects that are good to cover in order to see the True reality of this Man made Religion that requires you to serve their leaders unconditionally but yet in return they put conditions on you being accepted in to their fold. How Sad and completely wrong.
 True Love and compassion is UNCONDITIONAL!
 And there are countless humans in this “WORLD” that display this on a daily basis.
 But when your a Billion dollar toxic cult that indoctrinates its members by throwing out LABELS and hoping they stick, you really realize how far off base and out there they are in their thought processes.
 I have been that child who was required by force to conform since the age of 10 and was forced to be baptized at 15 or else.
 Since not agreeing with their false prophecy’s but remaining a Christian i was ousted out and what ensued was beyond belief. And they call this LOVE?
 My then wife told me i was not worth investing in since i was not part of the religion anymore and degraded me and forced me out of the relationship. Again a relationship based on conditions as well as a relationship with a organisation based on conditions.
 So there i was tossed out like garbage and falsely accused of horrendous drama filled accusations without proof. Again is this unconditional Christ like Love in operation? Absolutely Not!!
 The life that followed was of abrupt change to which i am so thankful and have not one regret.
 Since being ousted to the “World” i have regained my mental stability in reality. Yes there are folks out there that are bad to be associated with but there are just as much inside those four Kingdom Hall walls who disguise it with their own dual personality. One when their inside the hall and one when their outside. We all know what i’m talking about here.
 Since 1992 i have relationships with people who are really “Honest Hearted” and who to this day wouldn’t hesitate to call on for help and they would give it unconditionally. This is true love based on relationships that have stood the test of time.
 In my circle of friends i would trust any of them and they likewise with me. And they all come from different faiths and backgrounds.
 Its no wonder the Watchtower Society paints literally in their publications such worthless propaganda when it comes to the “World” because they hold you Hostage from seeing the Real “Truth” about it.
 Wake up Folks and regain your own life back from this ever indoctrinating religion that TRULY wastes your life and time!
Reply
 
 
 anonymous says:

 July 21, 2015 at 9:09 am
 
All the fifty years I was in the “truth” I was made to feel bad if I contributed to any charity that wasn’t the Watchtower organization. In the United States there are hospitals that take sick kids and they never receive a bill. There’s all kinds of charities for children with cancer and all kinds of illnesses that parents don’t have the money for. Even McDonalds has Ronald McDonald houses for parents to stay when their child is being treated for cancer.
When one of the three times after I stopped going to meetings, two elders stopped by to talk to me, I brought up that there are a lot of worldly people who do many good things for people just because they are good people and the two elders looked at me blankly and denied it and implied I was lying.
There are charities for children, animals and veterans from the military. There’s charities to help people live in homes that they can’t afford to buy. People start charities for people whose houses have burned up in fires and have suffered from floods. The list goes on and on but Witnesses turn a blind eye to it.
They turn their backs on anything that might help their fellow man and think that if they have an extra dollar in their pocket, the only honorable place to put it is in the contribution box at the Kingdom Hall because they think with that dollar, just maybe somebody might get a Watchtower magazine and read it and it will give them everlasting life in the new world. Their kids are even made to feel guilty if they don’t take their allowances and put that in the contribution boxes.
Now that I have left the Organization, I see those charities as what they really are. They are real charities, unlike the fake charity of the Watchtower Organization. The Watchtower Organization’s only charity is to take money for themselves so they can buy more property.
If anyone of Jehovah’s Witnesses comes into hard times, the Society will put the guilt on the Witnesses’
close friends to help them out.
You will never see a video from the Society where the Organization will help out the motherless child or the widows or the person who lost his job so he could attend the meetings. It ain’t never gonna happen. Not in our lifetime.
What Witnesses are told to do is put their trust in Jehovah. If Jehovah doesn’t help them out of their hard times, it has to be because Jehovah isn’t blessing them because they are doing something wrong and they will turn a blind eye to their problems.
If a Witness needs food or rent money or anything else, they will have to go to a worldy food bank or ask for charity from one of Christendom’s charities and this will happen, no matter how many years of free voluntary service that Witness did for the Organization.
Reply
 
 a jones says:

 July 22, 2015 at 7:15 pm
 
Hi have a look on youtube to see what ABCnews and Good morning america have to say about Goodsearch.com a charity search engine and so that people use it rather than any other search engine it donates half the profits of each search to charity
 Over $11 million to charity and the same for the company
Reply
 
 
 
 Average Joe says:

 July 21, 2015 at 9:25 am
 
There are good people both inside and outside the JW organisation. JWs don’t have the monopoly on being nice, loving people. However, the other can be said too. Not every JW is a heartless self-centred individual either. It all boils down to who you are as a person, at your core. If you are a decent individual then that will shine through no matter what religion or creed your profess.
Reply
 
 Gameisover says:

 July 23, 2015 at 12:55 am
 
Of course there are good people, potentially.
 However when an individual is brain washed, fully indoctrinated, they will turn into monsters, practice shunning with their own children or parents and really believe that they are doing the right thing to please God. No exceptions.
Reply
 
 Gameisover says:

 July 23, 2015 at 1:40 am
 
P.S. Also these potentially good people
 never engage in any type of volunteer work in their communities. The sick, the homeless, the elderly, have only “worldly” people to care for them.
 Last but not least, how good are people who are not horrified at the worldwide
 slaughter promised by JW.Org?
 They even go around parroting it to anyone that will listen.
 I’m ashamed to have been like that for nearly 50 years. But it’s never to late.
 In my case the change was almost immediate. I was willing to lose everything
 and I did.
 Since then I have found people that really care, that want nothing in return.
 I work with the homeless in my city. There are thousands;we work with a group of 500 men. The degrade, the sorrow, the injustices, pale into insignificance with what some of us have suffered. They so appreciate every little thing. I have many little gifts from them, notes, even poem.
 All the years in the full time work never gave the feelings I have now. Never the love, friendship, compassion, kindness, to this degree.
 The homeless may be scary to begin with but as one gets to know them well unsuspected beauty unfolds. Like a Pearl
 of great value…….
Reply
 
 
 Gameisover says:

 July 23, 2015 at 1:40 am
 
P.S. Also these potentially good people
 never engage in any type of volunteer work in their communities. The sick, the homeless, the elderly, have only “worldly” people to care for them.
 Last but not least, how good are people who are not horrified at the worldwide
 slaughter promised by JW.Org?
 They even go around parroting it to anyone that will listen.
 I’m ashamed to have been like that for nearly 50 years. But it’s never to late.
 In my case the change was almost immediate. I was willing to lose everything
 and I did.
 Since then I have found people that really care, that want nothing in return.
 I work with the homeless in my city. There are thousands;we work with a group of 500 men. The degrade, the sorrow, the injustices, pale into insignificance with what some of us have suffered. They so appreciate every little thing. I have many little gifts from them, notes, even poem.
 All the years in the full time work never gave the feelings I have now. Never the love, friendship, compassion, kindness, to this degree.
 The homeless may be scary to begin with but as one gets to know them well unsuspected beauty unfolds. Like a Pearl
 of great value…….
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Catalina says:

 July 21, 2015 at 9:29 am
 
Anthony Mathenia I agree with you. In religions like JW’s, kindness is not free or without conditions. This article is awesome. Please let me share my experience with you. The august 15, 2000 watchtower has an article called, The Only Way to Eradicate Hate. This article shows three sisters of James Byrd Jr are Jehovah’s Witnesses. In 1998 three white men dragged James Byrd Jr behind a truck for two miles because he was black. The coroner’s report showed James Byrd kept his head up while he was being dragged until he was killed. James Byrd Jr’s sisters feel Jehovah God and the Jehovah’s Witnesses religion is their haven from the outside world, (satan’s world). I can’t imagine how his sisters feel. I can’t imagine the thoughts they must have. If I was them I’d want to kill every white man I’d see. My father became one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1943. His family is very bigoted and racist. For example : My dad’s sister is not a JW, she is baptist. Her daughter teaches in sunday school. She and her daughter speak very negatively about colored people. They call all colored people niggers and are hateful towards them in public. I was with them one time when we saw a white girl with a black man at a movie theater and they made rude comments to the couple. I felt very uncomfortable. The couple got really offended and angry. I said to the couple, I’m sorry you guys, I don’t feel that way. They asked me why I hung out with them. If my father hadn’t become one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1943 he would have continued to act like that. I’m glad I was raised as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses because I really did get something good out of it. I have problems with the religion but I have problems with all religions and I disregard all religions. My psychiatrist wants me to remember the good things I’ve experienced in life, love my JW family, forgive them and move on. I know I don’t want to be like my non JW family because they are creepy and hateful. My JW family is a lot nicer. I visit my jw family and they don’t know anything about my private life. I keep my financial situation, my sex life, my political views and my religious views to myself because I know those issues aren’t anyone else’s business. Fortunately I live in a different state from my family. I don’t get to pushy with my JW family. I know when to shut up. I’m learning how respect is given and received in therapy. My psychiatrist says it takes two things to be happy in life. 1.) Don’t expect everyone to agree with you. and 2.) Don’t expect everyone to like you. I’m in therapy for emotional abuse. It is helping. The idea of being a jw and being separate from the world helped my dad with his bigotry. My dad moved us to California in 1964 to get us away from his family. I’m glad the JW religion helped my dad improve his attitude with bigotry. My dad encouraged my brother to date a colored sister when my brother expressed he liked her ! my brother did so. Everyone is fighting their own battles in life. I’m learning from the group therapy. It’s rare to find a non dysfunctional family. People use religion as a crutch. Religious leaders abuse their power. Therapy teaches us to stay away from a particular family member who adds stress to our life. I’m not alone. In therapy I’ve learned this is what happens when people can’t agree to disagree. Articles like the one you wrote helps people a lot. Thank you.
Reply
 
 
 Average Joe says:

 July 21, 2015 at 9:29 am
 
On a side point Anthony, I’d totally forgotten about the “Gay Cowboys”!
If Jehovah disapproves of Disco then I’m in big trouble given my hefty vinyl collection of Bee Gees, EW&F, Sly & The Family Stone etc! :)
Reply
 
 
 kofybean says:

 July 21, 2015 at 9:37 am
 
“The world”. What a joke. The shoud of bigotry and racism stand before you.
“And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?” -Matthew 5:47
Reply
 
 
 Hakizimana Jean de Dieu says:

 July 21, 2015 at 9:40 am
 
“worldly people” are naturally beautiful as they do not read JW Publications. Hateful teachings that Watchtower instills subtly into Jehovah’s Witnesses’ minds constitute a vibrant evidence than one can transform humans into animals so easily using hateful publications:
*** w07 7/1 p. 13 par. 4 Highlights From the Book of Ezekiel—I ***
 We do not need to let our eye feel sorry for those who receive God’s adverse judgment or feel compassion for them.
Reply
 
 Queen Elsa says:

 July 21, 2015 at 1:23 pm
 
Sounds like a sociopath.
Reply
 
 
 
 Average Joe says:

 July 21, 2015 at 9:43 am
 
@kofybean.
 Excellent use of scripture and a very valid point!
Reply
 
 
 Criticus says:

 July 21, 2015 at 10:05 am
 
All,
I can only add what others & myself have said repeatedly by now:
The worst people I ever had to deal with are JWs; the kindest individuals I ever came across are “bad worldly unbelievers”, including those whose humanity, religiosity, and TRUE spirituality would let some of the most raging fundamentalist-JWs look like godless brutes.
It is as simple as that. I could append this with a long biography, relating my experiences as a long-time “Full Time Servant”, including work at several foreign branch offices. What I was forced to witness and to suffer there beggars all description; in general, it was rotten and corrupt; in part, it was criminal. Beyond my “glorious” Bethel experiences, I witnessed (and still do) recurring arrogance, conceit, self exaltation, hubris, vanity, sheer stupidity, coupled with crude and outright abuse of power on the part of very small and low characters across a number of congregations half around the globe. This has nothing to do with occasional “human imperfection”, as is the standard Watchtower excuse to brush aside those gross and intrinsic “failures and flaws” of the Watchtower system. The more I was exerting myself acc. to the book and by the letter in all that I deemed was laid upon me as my “sacred duty”, the more I got treated like crap within the sunny “spiritual paradise”. Even if you are a “model-JW”, this is no guarantee that you “are in ‘good standing’ “, and you still may get whipped, spanked, rebuked, berated, reprimanded, “counseled”, depending of who doesn’t like your face or your nose or may simply feel challenged by you or your very existence. Wherever I go, wherever I look within the “divine organization by its own grace”, I see the same distinctive spirit floating around and permeating it like a bad stench: One of arrogance, conceit, haughtiness and superiority. Needless to state that this is not the “spirit from above”, but it is “earthly, unspiritual, demonic”, James 3,15. It is not God’s Holy Spirit that is breathing through this manmade entity called “Watchtower”, or “JW.Org”, or whatever its fallible human leaders who deem themselves gods may still call it.
In contrast, during the past few years I had the pleasure and the privilege to meet people – non-JWs, “worldly people”, “unbelievers” by WTS-standards – who show respect, decency, politeness and appreciation, not only for a job well done, but for you as a person and a human being. Happily, it is suchlike people I am now having dealings with on a day-to-day basis, and it didn’t take much to realize what humongous cognitive dissonance any JW is hauling around who gets pounded into his brain by Watchtower/JW.Org that “we are the best, we are the only ones showing true Christian love” – really??? Just because “we” don’t take up arms to go to war? Read up on this and educate yourself, to see how many more there are who didn’t and don’t go to war – not bec. of being told by a human Central Committee, but bec. of TRULY being human, using their own god-given mental faculties, based on their OWN well-cultivated convictions. And how about this “weapon” – the “tongue that stabs like a sword” – isn’t this a weapon too? And oh how busy it is among all those gossiping, chattering, backstabbing, pettily critical, judgmental Witnesses who are talking behind each others’ backs, knowing exactly when, how & where Witness Such-And-Such miserably flunked and failed to live up to petty little manmade standards, “not doing enough” and not “being exemplary”.
“4 legs goooood – 2 legs baaaaad – JW goooood – non-JW baaaaad” – not in my book any longer, dear comrades & fellows.
Reply
 
 anonymous says:

 July 21, 2015 at 8:16 pm
 
@Criticus, I have to say I agree with your assessment of the majority of the Witnesses that I am aware of in my old congregation and your description sounds an awful lot like the majority of the Witnesses that I know.
I know of a lot of Witnesses who are some of the nicest and humblest people you will ever know but the majority are just as you described, as far as the ones that I know and have worked in service with and been at meetings with.
So many times, I felt put down and not respected and going to meetings and service was really hard for me to do as it felt more like a punishment than anything else. I always felt like I “owed” it to the congregation to be an “encouragement” to the rest to go to meetings but every meeting made me feel depressed instead. When meetings make a person dread going and make you feel depressed, you should realize there is something really wrong with that religion. It took me going online and seeing how others like yourself that feel the very same way is what made me not depressed anymore. Thank you so much for your assessment of most of the JW’s that you know with your experience. Now I know, it was never me. It was the religion that makes people like that or else people like that are attracted to a religion like the JW’s. The majority are just not nice at all and very arrogant and judgmental. True, true, true.
About ten years ago we had a sister who was dying of breast cancer and the elders assigned a bunch of us sisters to take turns and go and clean her house for her even though she had teenaged children living at home who wouldn’t lift a finger to help her out. Her husband was an unbeliever and I think it was to impress him but the sister knew that the only reason we came was because we were assigned to do it.
A person can tell when the “love” is forced and not from the heart. She could tell. That poor sister was dying and the sister I went with, had no feeling for her at all at what she was going through.
Knowing she was going to die at such a young age and not being able to see her kids grow up had to be so terrible for her, but the sister couldn’t feel her pain and to her it was like oh well, she’ll be resurrected and we will see her again in the new system so what’s the big deal?
Reply
 
 Criticus says:

 July 22, 2015 at 8:25 am
 
I appreciate your feedback, anonymous. Thank you. And you are right: There are, of course, JWs who are truly good people through and through – but not bec. they are JW, that cannot be stressed enough. Their being “good people” is no “seal of quality” for the WTS, which I will henceforth call JW.Org, to “keep pace” with God’s “progressive” org. that is “moving ahead” (oh yeah? Quo vadis, WTS?). If there are “good” JWs, that’s because they have preserved a certain amount of individuality, sanity, humanity, intellect and good & common sense, despite JW.Org’s incessant rants as to “You must totally obey the GB, be humble, be submissive, don’t question; only if you are 1000% in line with our commands you will be saved at HM; showing love means going from door to door spreading our org-rules; you must do MORE MORE MORE ever MORE” etc. There are indeed some JWs who remain, and are still HUMAN.
It happened to me in my “exemplary JW”-heydays that I got commended by “worldly” people, and I, in my “You must bring nothing but praise upon JHWH’s organization”-delusion, “giving –a-good-witness”-OCD, “proudly” exposed myself as a JW to “use this opportunity” to present “Jehovah” – thus Watchtower – in a “good light”– and the curtains dropped: People would ADAMANTLY refuse to “connect the dots”, i.e., they did not accept making the combination of “Being a JW” with “Being a good worker, being a likable person” etc. Back then, it caused me to be huffy – now, I do understand.
Reply
 
 
 
 
 rob says:

 July 21, 2015 at 10:51 am
 
I absolutely hate the term “worldly people” and after leaving the witness religion I have made friendships with many people who are kind, spiritual and charitable and who are extremely trustworthy.
I knew some very wonderful people who were witnesses but unfortunately for many of those individuals friendship came with a caveat ” the witness religion comes first and friendship can only be conditional on being friends with those who follow the witness rules”
When I faded these individuals faded from me because I no longer was a witness. Makes me sad to think that people will allow themselves to be told who they can associate with and who can be a part of their lives.
Reply
 
 
 Ted says:

 July 21, 2015 at 10:51 am
 
While still entrenched in that awful religion, and indoctrinated
 to think those outside were godless and selfish, I experienced
 kindness from a total stranger that gave me pause.
On my way to work one winters morning, my old car stalled.
 I lifted the bonnet ( hood) to check for any apparent cause,
 when an expensive looking car going in the opposite direction
 pulled up on the other side of the road. A well dressed man
 came across to me asking if I needed assistance? which I did.
Between us, we decide the problem was a flat battery, he asked
 if had a towline and he would pull my car to get it started, but I
 did not have a towline.
He then produced from his trunk what looked like a small rug
 and wrapped it round his front bumper ( fender) and said,
“As he couldn’t pull me along, he would push me.
He then turned his car around, in the opposite direction to his
 intended journey, and without concern of damage to his own
 vehicle, he pushed me along for several hundred yards till my
 old banger sparked into life, Afraid to pull up, in case it stalled
 again, I kept on driving, never even having the chance to thank
 him. But all these years after I still remember his kindness.
Cult driven misanthropy is false. There are millions of genuine
 Good Samaritans out there.
Reply
 
 
 Darlene says:

 July 21, 2015 at 11:03 am
 
I have always despised the term “worldly people!” I was brainwashed into the org for 40 years! My family and I have experienced some of the worst treatment from jw’s than I care to remember now. When I left and began to visit different Churches, I was always welcomed and encouraged! Not only the first time, but every time!
Reply
 
 
 It'sJustMe says:

 July 21, 2015 at 11:47 am
 
The seven pharisees of the “governing body” and their appointed underlings have much incentive to make people “in the world” appear as most unkind as possible in the eyes of their flock, violating outrageously on one hand some basic human rights, and manipulating on a second hand their flock to encourage them to remain without puting a question mark over their spiritual competence, making them swallow their “new lights” gluttonously.
Reply
 
 
 Markw1509 says:

 July 21, 2015 at 1:52 pm
 
My wife’s parents have been witnesses for over 50 years. They are now invalid and in their 80’s.
 They desperately need help and the only help they get is from their daughter, my wife. Also, their local neighbours help them out whenever they need it.
 As my wife and I are no longer witnesses, no-one in their congregation helps out at all, not even with visits.
 The witnesses are selfish and do not display Christianity in any way. The neighbours, many of which are atheists, cannot do enough for my wife’s parents.
 If my in-laws had to rely on witnesses to help them, they would have died of neglect years ago.
 Pitiful and shameful!
 Thank goodness for the neighbours!
Reply
 
 
 Grace says:

 July 21, 2015 at 4:02 pm
 
Remember how we were always told that no one else but the Witness have the love that we have as to give up our life for another. What a load of hot air!
Just to show that human kindness is out there, this story proves that one man was willing to put his life on the line for his mate. Julian Wilson, a pro surfer was emotional over not being able to get to Mick Fanning when the shark attacked his board. Scary stuff.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-21/fanning-returns-home-after-shark-attack/6635540
Reply
 
 
 It'sJustMe says:

 July 21, 2015 at 9:26 pm
 
If I compare during the last fourty years on one hand the respect and the kindness shown towards me by my various not JW employers (bosses) and colleagues , and the respect and the the kindness demonstrated towards me by the various “elders” in various congregations in various countries during that same time, I can say that the balance clearly weighs in favor of “worldly” people not trapped in the Watchtower cult. So happy to be 100 % out of the WT cult, now officially dissociated since five months.
Reply
 
 
 Newlyout says:

 July 21, 2015 at 10:04 pm
 
I left the organization when I was pregnant with my first child. Because we were striving to lead ‘simple lives’ my husband and I had very little extra money. I thought of all the baby showers I had attended as a witness for over 30 years and felt some sadness in realizing that I would not have that experience.
We had no close friends outside of the organization because we followed the counsel not to associate with the world. I had turned down many invitations from coworkers not only to their baby showers but also to their birthday and holiday parties.
One of the women at work who knew my story and who also had a baby at home mentioned my situation to her wife.
Her wife organized a baby shower for me. My work donated a wonderful venue to have the shower. Before any of this happened my husband and I had registered for gifts just in case any of our family still wanted to send gifts. (Many of them actually did and we were grateful). We went to the shower very happy just to have people gather together to celebrate with us but not expecting very many presents. We were shocked to see that nearly our entire registry of presents had been purchased.
Another coworker knew that we didn’t have a car at the time and loaned us his for free for several months after the any was born.
Several months later I was attempting to buy a crib on craigslist as our son had outgrown his Pack n Play. The woman selling it learned I didn’t have a car and delivered it to my house for free and included a very nice mattress for free as well.
I was completely amazed because when I left the organization I did so because I realized that they didn’t have the truth, but because of the propaganda which I had been taught from infancy and still believed I fully expected the ‘world to chew me up and spit me out’. I know that every experience I have won’t be as amazing as the ones I’ve had, but so far it hasn’t been anything like I feared that it would.
Reply
 
 
 rusty says:

 July 22, 2015 at 3:28 am
 
Example of watwatchtowers influence from Australia.http://www.9news.com.au/national/2015/07/22/19/25/man-who-poisoned-fellow-church-members-milk-with-weed-killer-begs-to-be-spared-jail
Reply
 
 
 DavidR says:

 July 22, 2015 at 8:34 am
 
The whole myth about how wonderful the witnesses are to new people is entirely false.
What they mean is that if you show up in street clothes and are easily recognized as a non witness then they will put on their Love Bombing facade and play the part of the welcoming JW.
However, show up to a meeting dressed up like they expect, so that you look like just another JW that they just don’t know and you will see the real face of the organization. People will most likely avoid you and not have anything to do with you until they see an Elder/Servant/Pioneer talking to you. You might get one or two people say hello as they politely walk by, but you are not welcomed until there is some sort of confirmation that you are “safe”.
I wouldn’t have thought this until I moved a few times and was treated like I was radiated until my letter came and told them how wonderful I was. Then everyone wanted to talk to me and invite me over. It was really eye opening to how people are treated in the organization.
Reply
 
 
 thebluepill says:

 July 22, 2015 at 9:15 am
 
One of the last parts at the meeting that my wife had was entitled “How our unity and love is full-filling prophecy” or something to that effect. It was based on the psalm 133:1. The point was to show how dispite our different backgrounds, witnesses are the only group doing showing love and unity. We were already mentally out and this was going to be our last meeting ever. I told her I would write it for her and give an apostate leaning twist. I started with the “householder” (yuck!) stating how someone was rude to her and how she cant wait till Jehovah destroys all the worldly people ( how many times have we heard that before!). She mentions how awesome it is to be in an organization that is united and loves one another and quotes that scripture. My wife then mentions ” Well, is loving and caring for only our brothers and sisters really that big of a deal?” She replies with waht do you mean. My wife then quotes that scripture from Matt 5:47 that says basically its not a big deal. The talk then went on to talk about helping others and how preaching should not be the only way to show love for all.
 I was sure that the elder in charge was going to counsel us and wonder “are yall apostates?” Throughout the talk I noticed the audience nodding their heads in agreement. They loved it. One sis said that it was one of the best talks she has ever heard and very refreshing.
 This proves two things: this religion is filled with many who would reach out to ‘worldy’ people and other charitable orgs if allowed and , 2) are instead commanded to ignore what their savior has specifically commanded.
Reply
 
 
 Excelsior! says:

 July 22, 2015 at 9:39 am
 
What an excellent article, thank you Anthony!
I like the way you are writing a fiction about a fiction!! Very meta-textual!
We were taught to fear. We needed to fear. Without the fear, we would be swallowed whole by Satan, or if he was busy at the United Nations, one of his demons. No one should have to live that way. It’s just not right.
Eventually, that fear of the Other, or “worldly person” caused us to forget that they were a person. We were able to stomach that worldly person being killed in the most brutal way with no qualms whatsoever.
Christians, please read 1 John 4:16 – 19. The fear of “worldly people” is a restraint to any kind of compassion for people who are just like you.
For us atheists, we need to remember that fear, in and of itself, is not a bad thing. It is a survival mechanism, and is jolly useful if coupled with a reasonable assessment of danger.
The WTBTS, and other cults, ramp up the fear as a very efficient control technique. Control through fear of the Other is as old as the hills.
The sooner we all discover that most people are decent, the happier we will be. Obviously, there are a small minority who will want to harm us, but the vast majority of people are pretty nice.
It was really refreshing to read all of those positive stories. Human kindness is one of the things that keeps us all going.
Peace be with you, Excelsior!
Reply
 
 
 airborne says:

 July 22, 2015 at 10:30 am
 
Thanks for the positive article.
Reply
 
 
 Mama Joy says:

 July 22, 2015 at 5:00 pm
 
“The World” saved me from the JWs abuse.
Reply
 
 
 Wild Olive says:

 July 22, 2015 at 9:34 pm
 
This is a post I have to make.
 My son has been epileptic since 18 mths old and he has not long turned 18.
 I have lost count over the years how many times he has been ambulanced to hospital,in all the times he’s been in hospital, and it’s hundreds of times, not once has he been visited by an elder or a member of the cong.
 I can forgive that because everyone has their own problems and often can’t find time to see others,I spend most of my time recovering from his previous visit till the next episode.
 However I began to see things differently when the government sent someone too see us ,to find ways to better care for our son, this person arranged all sorts of things that we could never have got, one in particular was oxygen donated by Anglicare,a Christian charity that gives assistance to those in need, I brought this matter up with my elders and asked them what where the chances that the WTBTS would give something toward my sons care,that was met with blank stares and a timid no.
 What’s even more enlightening is Anglicare sends a representative to us every year to see if we are being looked after,he’s been here more times than the elders to check on us and our son.
 Considering the millions that have been spent by org over the last few years and considering that they are asking for more donations, I can confidently say that not one cent has gone toward helping me or my son,and any help that has been received is from “worldly” people.
 It has been most refreshing to look the elders in eye and say that the world is not the place that the org paints it to be.
Reply
 
 
 Brian Muscat says:

 July 23, 2015 at 1:06 am
 
It is interesting just like those TV adds the product that cleans brightens and whitens like no other so the WT claims how welcome people are made at the Kingdom Hall i have been to quite alot of meetings at Kingdom Halls and what was quite obvious to me was the total lack of love and the unwelcoming attitude i was shown and if you complain about it they just so oh you have got to make an effort however if you said how cold people were at any other faith they would immediately say how bad that was and say oh come to our KH instead just double standards as far as i am concerned.
Reply
 
 
 GEM says:

 July 23, 2015 at 1:28 am
 
It wasn’t like this in the mid-’60’s when my Father signed up and before the Elder arrangement arrived in 1972..
I remember quite vividly during F.S, an elderly lady came to the door with the palms of her hands sliced open, a kitchen accident. Dad is a highly trained First Aider and bandaged her up.
As he searched the kitchen cupboards for lint and plasters he noted that the poor Dear had virtually nothing in her cupboards. So, off we went to the local Tesco stores and he filled a large cardboard box with basics like Milk and bread…the essentials…We drove back, he placed the box on the doorstep, rang the bell and we pulled off in the car when the lady looked to see who had left the box on her door step.
The Servants of that congregation were very kind…but it kind of came to an end one day when Dad and some others bagged up some Coke from the local Council depot and distributed it amongst the needy.
Of course, it was against local Smog control regulations as it was used Coal! The council tracked the Servants down and reprimanded them. But, it was done out of love, even if the local area suffered choking emissions for a week or two.
Whoops!
Reply
 
 
 Wanderer says:

 July 23, 2015 at 5:18 am
 
Is the Watchtower Society the only religion that does no charity work?
 How do they receive charitable tax exemptions if they do no charity work?
 Why are they begging for money when they do no charity work? Similar sized religious organisations have their own charities and don’t overtly beg for money, I don’t understand how they have mismanaged their funds so much.
Reply
 
 anonymous says:

 July 23, 2015 at 7:35 am
 
I think they can get charity status because Witnesses don’t ask for a certain amount of money they leave with the householders and the elders aren’t paid a salary.
There is a lot of unpaid labor (charity) but it isn’t exactly voluntary, since if Witnesses don’t go in service, spending their money on the gas and cars etc. , they think they will be killed at Armageddon. The reason it isn’t exactly “voluntary” is because they are guilted into doing it or die at Armageddon.
The Witnesses are guilted into putting money into the contribution boxes to pay more for the upkeep of the Bethels and the Bethelites and the Kingdom Halls because they are told that everything belongs to Jehovah anyway and so whatever they have doesn’t belong to them anyway and belongs to Jehovah and they equate giving to the Organization as giving Jehovah back what He owns anyway.
All those Bethels and Bethelites and new digs at Warwick and the Kingdom Halls cost a whole lot more than it does for those cheap little magazines that people “place” with individuals.
One hundred years ago the Watchtower printed out that literature and sent it to people through the post office and the Society was still able to make money on it. You know they made money because of all the Bethels and branches they built with that money in those olden days. They accomplished a whole lot more in those days with less Witnesses in Bethels compared to what they do today with thousands of Bethelites and hundreds of branches. The magazines were 32 pages and the writing was packed into those pages. Now there’s more pictures and very little writing and hardly any true “meat”. Today, the money is going for all the Bethels and Bethelites and branches and all the trucks and heavy equipment and upkeep of the Kingdom Halls etc. The amount of money for the upkeep of all the Society owns and supplies food for those people running all those places, has to be staggering.
In the old days, Witnesses didn’t own their Kingdom Halls. They rented small buildings and they rented school gyms for assemblies. They paid for their own Kingdom Halls and they paid for the upkeep. They paid for the literature at the back of the Kingdom Hall as there was a set price for everything and then when they “place” the literature, they “sold” it for that price and the money was to be put in the contribution box so the Society was getting paid two times for that literature. That is how they made money.
When they couldn’t charge the Witnesses anymore (charity status being taken away then), the Witnesses were still told to put that money in the contribution boxes for the literature anyway but it was done in a subtle way, not overtly. The Society is still making money on the literature but it’s not enough to support all the building work and the Bethelites and the branches and all the upkeep etc. so they had to come up with more and more ways to “trick” money out of the Witnesses without passing the “plate” like they had always promised they would never do.
The money to make the literature pales in comparison to all that that has to be paid for but the placing of the literature is supposed to be the reason for the season but really, it’s just an ends to a means. The means is acquiring more property. As long as they take that money and put it into more “religious” property, they can still keep calling themselves a charity.
That is the way I see it.
Reply
 
 Wanderer says:

 July 23, 2015 at 6:20 pm
 
I still don’t know how they can’t do any charity work at all, do they not read the bible or seek to follow the example of Jesus?
 I overheard some family saying how fantastic it is the Society direct debits from their bank accounts, now they will never forget to contribute. Hearing that made me feel uneasy that they are giving their hard earned money to help pay for the child abuse settlements.
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Svete says:

 July 23, 2015 at 6:40 am
 
Great article and yes I can confer that only after leaving did I notice the genuine selfless generosity of every day individuals, doing good deeds with no expectation of anything in return. Not doing it because it was the expected thing to do – but rather was because they wanted to and the right thing to do.
One of the things that I noticed is that as a JW you don’t oftern receive kindness from “worldly” people, and that re-enforces the “them and us” view of everyone in the world essentially following satan.
The reality is that JW’s appear so unfriendly, aloof and superior to others that other people don’t feel inclined to other kindness to them. Imagine a group of JW parents in the school ground picking up their kids. They don’t talk to anyone besides the other JW’s they dont volunteer, or invite other kids back to their home. Their kids don’t go to other kids homes etc etc. This unfriendly view they unwittingly create for themselves is the reason people often don’t offer kindness out to them – why would they?
 It has nothing to do with them being in the “world”
The reality is that as soon as I stopped going those same people were honest with us, and then offered the same kindness they showed to everyone else – and it was truly genuine.
Add to that how many of them are genuinely happy and satisfied in their lives, their not gossipers and materialistic – compared to the JW’s who don’t realize how unhappy they are following an empty ideology, materialistic and forever gossiping about everyone, you see how genuine and normal these so say “worldly” people are.
Reply
 
 
 Cherie says:

 July 23, 2015 at 7:43 am
 
This post really resonated with me. My parents were inactive for many years. One of the reasons was they way they were treated in the congregation. I remember my mother saying, “Sometimes you find the people of the world are pretty nice.” She was right. That’s been my experience, too.
Reply
 
 
 Bret says:

 July 23, 2015 at 5:06 pm
 
The guy in the picture from page 182 of the live forever book is a Circuit Overseer by the name of Daniel Cukar.. Once you get to know him he is true to the picture on the right hand side.. Or at least his personality fits that picture of the looser.. He finds all the Elders who love to kiss up and pad his pockets otherwise he will have little to do with you..
Reply
 
 
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← Battle of the cults: Anything JW Broadcasting can do, Scientology can do better!
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Is Watchtower imploding? 10 reasons why the end could be nigh
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Posted on July 17, 2015

Are we witnessing the beginning of the end for Watchtower?
Are we witnessing the beginning of the end for Watchtower?

For many current and former Jehovah’s Witnesses who find themselves victimized by Watchtower’s cruel cult-like practices, the prospect of witnessing the end of the organization seems too good to be true.
Especially when you have spent many years being sold false promises of extraordinary future events, it’s understandable that you would be wary of getting your hopes up over something as significant as the downfall of the organization that misled you.
I obviously won’t make you any promises, because I have learned to be extremely cautious of wishful thinking in all its forms. But when I look at what is going on with Watchtower, I see an organization falling from grace at a rate faster than I could have ever reasonably envisaged.
The latest evidence of the organization’s free-fall comes in the shape of a letter to all elders in the United States branch territory, dated July 8, 2015. You can read about Watchtower’s new “master plan” yourself, but essentially it adds a further caveat to their smash-and-grab, stealth-tithing maneuvers from last year. (Thanks go to JWleaks.org for first making this letter available.)*
The new letter essentially says to publishers (or doesn’t say to publishers, because it’s an elders-only letter): “Not only are we going to make you promise to send us money every month for maintaining a kingdom hall that isn’t owned by you in any meaningful sense, we are also warning you that we might sell your kingdom hall, pocket the proceeds, and send you to go share someone else’s kingdom hall while STILL taking your money for the kingdom hall we’ve just sold.”
Rather than write an exhaustive summary of the letter, and re-hash points I have already made on this matter from previous articles, I thought I would take a different approach by adding this latest development to my list of 10 reasons why I believe Watchtower COULD be about to implode. Here goes…
1. Jehovah’s Witnesses are becoming a toxic brand
toxic-brand
The internet is more hostile than ever regarding Jehovah’s Witnesses. As the world becomes more aware of the cult phenomenon (thanks in part to the success of documentaries like HBO’s “Going Clear” film about Scientology) journalists are becoming less squeamish when it comes to highlighting the cult-attributes of the organization in newspaper articles and news broadcasts.
Ex-Witnesses have already turned YouTube into a no-go zone for believing Witnesses, and continue to explore ingenious strategies for reaching out to those under Watchtower’s spell. Even non-Witness blogs like Hemant Mehta’s Friendly Atheist are now rallying to the ex-JW cause and becoming increasingly vocal about the organization’s harmful practices. All this means it is harder than ever for Witnesses to find new converts, and easier than ever for Witnesses to wake up.
2. Less “spiritual food” is being printed
spiritual-food
The wafer-thin magazines on the literature carts testify to a huge drop in printed output of 39% for monthly magazine printing since 2005. If God’s one true organization is flourishing, why has it so drastically scaled down on its “spiritual food?” The simple truth is, printing is expensive. VERY expensive. A good gauge of prosperity for any printing organization is its printed output. If a printing company has a problem, it will print less stuff. That is exactly what we have already been seeing for some time with Watchtower.
3. Globally, the organization is in retreat
retreat
Watchtower has been shutting down branches at a rate never before seen, with branch numbers plummeting from 118 in 2009 to just 90 as of last year. The organization used to pride itself on its global footprint, and would herald the dedication of new branches as evidence of God’s backing for the global preaching work. Now Watchtower is in open retreat, using single branches to run the affairs of multiple countries. RTOs, or “Remote Translation Offices” (think of an RTO as a Bethel-lite), are seen as a way of keeping some kind of presence in far-flung territories, but the glory days of Watchtower’s relentless global expansion are fast disappearing in the rear view mirror.
4. The begging has started
begging
For the first time in the organization’s history, the Governing Body openly admitted to a shortfall in needed funds in the May 2015 JW Broadcasting episode. This unprecedented move was made despite Watchtower making 1 Billion from selling off its Brooklyn portfolio ($375 million in one transaction alone), which could indicate the Brooklyn proceeds have already been spent. After all, when there is zero accounting transparency, we have no way of knowing how indebted the organization is. No amount of revenue from property sales will be much use to Watchtower if it is all getting sucked into a bottomless pit of accumulated debt.
5. The stealth tithing has started
tithing
Expect an organization in financial peril to desperately claw around for ways of bringing in more cash from available assets. In Watchtower’s case, they are prevented from demanding money from individual members, because this would be classed as “tithing” – a practice associated with false religion that the organization has condemned since its inception. What Watchtower CAN do is tithe, not individuals, but congregations. This is precisely what the new “Local Design/Construction” arrangement has achieved.
Last year elders were forced to promise a fixed amount to be donated to Watchtower every month from their congregation account, based on (1) what the congregation was already sending for paying off a building/renovation loan, or (2) anonymous slips of paper passed around so that publishers could indicate what they could afford to pledge. Congregations were even told to send any surplus funds squirreled away for a rainy day to Watchtower, leaving just $5,000 plus three months’ worth of regular operating expenses.
Amazingly, the majority of Witnesses continue to be oblivious to what amounts to a smash-and-grab, and are instead under the assumption that Watchtower has mercifully forgiven all kingdom hall building loans.
6. Kingdom hall ‘mergers’ are in store
fuel-in-car
As already mentioned, Watchtower has instructed all United States elders as of July 8, 2015 to be ready for their congregation to be re-assigned to a different kingdom hall if the organization’s new “master plan” deems this necessary. The letter marks the green light for the downsizing we are already seeing at branch level to be soon rolled out at congregation level, and is again clear evidence that Watchtower is desperate to claw in money wherever it can and become a smaller, more financially nimble organization.
The end game would be kingdom hall multiplexes in city-center locations shared by five or more congregations – a far cry from the parochial feel older Witnesses will be accustomed to.
As delightful as it is to think of such a huge regression in the local presence of the organization, you can’t help but feel bad for all those long-standing Witnesses who have donated thousands over the years under the false assumption that they were responsible for their local kingdom hall’s upkeep. Soon, for all their kindness and generosity, such ones may face lengthy and costly car journeys to intimidating, soulless, inconvenient city-center locations allocated to them by Watchtower.
7. Personnel are being jettisoned
kicked-out
Last year district overseers received the unwelcome news that their positions no longer existed, and they were surplus to requirements. Though some will have been demoted down to circuit overseer rank, the majority will have been jettisoned by the organization to fend for themselves – an entire strata of the organization’s hierarchy dissolved, and deemed no longer serviceable or cost-effective.
In a similarly unceremonious manner, workers at branch offices subject to closure by Watchtower have been cast adrift, with years or even decades of loyal service apparently counting for very little in the organization’s quest to make ends meet. The recently-emerged story of a Wallkill bethelite who was virtually thrown out on the street due to “cutbacks” suggests that the organization’s top brass have no qualms when it comes to wielding the axe. Bethelites in Watchtower’s heartland would do well to watch their backs and plan for the worst as the organization looks to slash spending wherever it can.
8. The secret weapons have failed
secret-weapon
Despite all the fanfare and hype, JW.org has been unable to attract internet-savvy non-Witnesses – its main target audience. It is, quite literally, preaching to the converted. The 2015 Yearbook boasted that JW.org received 850,000,000+ total visits in the first two years from Aug 27, 2012 to Aug 31, 2014. This figure sounds impressive until you factor in the number of Jehovah’s Witnesses – 8 million. Assuming every active Witness visits their own website at least once per week, you arrive at only a slightly lower figure of 832,000,000 visits over the two years (8,000,000 x 52 x 2).
And despite succeeding in making the organization more visible, there has been no notable increase in baptisms in the two years since the literature carts (or “metropolitan witnessing”) program was launched. After all, getting literature into someone’s hands won’t stop them going on the internet and fact-checking when they get home. And that’s assuming anyone is interested in approaching the carts to begin with. In this Guardian article, the reporter watched some carts in a busy part of London for an hour, and the only person who approached the Witnesses did so because they needed directions.
9. The child abuse floodgates have opened
flood
As was predicted at the time, there has been a relentless stream of child abuse lawsuits filed against Watchtower since the 2012 Candace Conti verdict. In 2013, a year on from the Conti judgment, lawyer Irwin Zalkin told me he had no less than 11 lawsuits on his books. Though many such lawsuits end up being settled, the success of the Jose Lopez case and the recent victory in London’s High Court have shown that if child abuse victims are willing to dig their heels in and stay the course they can have, not only compensation, but justice served.
All of this doesn’t bode well for an organization already under fire for its cult-like shunning practices and death-dealing prohibitions on blood transfusions. And apart from the atrocious reputation, with well-informed journalists like Trey Bundy spelling out the problems of organizational mishandling in the media, the money for paying off multi-million judgments and out-of-court settlements has to come from somewhere.
Even if the Governing Body sent a long-overdue letter out tomorrow FINALLY telling elders to report all child abuse accusations straight to the police, Watchtower would still have to answer to the backlog of lawsuits from victims who suffered while the two-witness rule was (is) still in place. Such victims may well have only a finite window of opportunity to get ANY money out of Watchtower at all.
10. Watchtower doesn’t have a PR strategy
head-in-sand
You’re an international, faith-based non-profit organization with a toxic brand both on the internet and in the media. Fewer people from wealthy, developed countries with internet are joining you, and thus donations are dwindling. For all the evangelizing and promotional work of your members, a few clicks on Google can completely dismantle your organization’s message. To make matters worse, you have mounting legal costs and settlements to pay for out of an ever-diminishing revenue stream. What you urgently need is a good PR strategy to make it easier to bring in fresh converts (and their donations) – but even here Watchtower is almost comically inept.
The organization’s PR strategy is essentially two-fold: (1) bury your head in the sand and hope your opposers eventually get bored and go away, or (2) refute the claims made by your opposers using outright lies (*cough* Rick Fenton). Both of these methods may help the likes of Tony Morris get to sleep at night in the short-term, but ultimately they are self-defeating. To neutral observers, silence is incriminating when damning allegations are on the table – especially related to harming children. And when you flat out lie about your damaging policies and teachings, you only give critics like me more rope to hang you with.
The only workable strategy Watchtower can pursue at this stage is one of reform, but past experience shows that any form of “compromise” is seen by the Governing Body as capitulation to Satan’s hordes. In short, Watchtower is sinking because its deluded leaders are their own worst enemies.
What does the future hold?
I do not for one moment suggest that we will see an end to Jehovah’s Witnesses as a religion in our lifetimes. The fact that there continues to be such a thing as the bible students, who still cling to Charles Taze Russell and his discredited, outlandish teachings, tells us that religions have amazing survival abilities even when members are deprived of their leadership. Faith, after all, is a product of people’s minds. When enough people believe the same unsubstantiated thing you have a religion, regardless of whether there is a person or organization to lead it.
But while religions are virtually indestructible, corporations are not. Non-profit organizations like Watchtower are just as capable of getting into debt as any other business. And when your bank manager starts bankruptcy proceedings against you because you can no longer service your debts, it’s game over.
The organization's glory days are already behind it
The organization’s glory days are already behind it

Those who suggest Watchtower is too big and successful to go down need only look at the fact that it has already been shrinking since it reached its zenith (in terms of branches and printing operations) some time between 2005 and 2010. Add to that the desperate clawing for cash over the five years since then, and you have the omens of an organizational collapse.
The winds of change have completely overtaken Watchtower in the internet age, and the Governing Body find themselves in a whole different ball game to their predecessors. If things are really as bad as I suspect, Watchtower needs to drastically downscale its operations to, say, a handful of branches and zero printing. In other words, it needs to become like its noisy neighbor Scientology, which despite having only 50,000-or-so members (and an even worse reputation) still has an impressive portfolio of valuable property scattered across the globe and minimal overheads compared to Watchtower.
But any downsizing of that magnitude would send Watchtower into an even more vicious spiral, in which it would start hemorrhaging even the most diehard members. After all, when you have spent decades pointing to your success as evidence of divine backing, how do you explain any sudden, sharp decline?
If Watchtower were to go bankrupt, it could always try claiming that the Great Tribulation has begun and Satan’s minions (their creditors) have started overtly attacking God’s people, but this simply will not wash with more intelligent Witnesses. Whatever is left of the organization (perhaps re-branded to ditch the Watchtower name entirely while retaining the Governing Body at the helm) would have a huge exodus on its hands.
It is precisely because of all the pride at stake that, in my mind, a sudden implosion seems increasingly plausible. Unlike ordinary commercial organizations who have the flexibility to change their size and scope according to the prevailing conditions, “God’s organization” can only be seen by its members to be going in an upwards trajectory for its grandiose claims of divine direction to have any credence. Any noticeable regression would rightly be interpreted as evidence of God’s favor being absent. Thus any problems would be allowed to accumulate behind closed doors until they reach a critical mass.
Of course I could be wrong, but if that is so then Watchtower is doing an awful lot of begging and downsizing for no particular reason, and with far too much to lose by doing so. It could well be that some incredible developments are ahead as Watchtower’s predicament further deteriorates, and the Governing Body slowly discovers that Jehovah isn’t coming to the rescue after all. I had better get on with writing my book while there is still an organization to write about.
 
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Translations: Spanish | French | Hungarian
Further reading…
◾JWsurvey articles on Watchtower downsizing


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85 Responses to Is Watchtower imploding? 10 reasons why the end could be nigh


Newer Comments →
 
 Gareth says:

 July 17, 2015 at 9:27 am
 
Haha that last sentence begs the question: would you be happy or unhappy if your book would be obsolete before it being published? 😀 Although I think it would be useful anyway, even if only for history reasons.
Reply
 
 
 StrongHaiku says:

 July 17, 2015 at 9:47 am
 
Really enjoyed the article, Cedars. You made my day.
You mention the following:
“If Watchtower were to go bankrupt, it could always try claiming that the Great Tribulation has begun and Satan’s minions (their creditors) have started overtly attacking God’s people, but this simply will not wash with more intelligent Witnesses. ”
You make a very good point. Claiming the GT has begun may be one of the few plays they have left, but it is a very dangerous one. If they say the “GT has begun” in order to explain what is going on, this will likely start the clock ticking in the head of some of the members. I sure hope they become desperate enough to put a “stake on the ground” and commit to an event/date.
I cannot see how they can maintain the status quo and remain vague and uncommitted to an event/date forever and recover (let alone grow). Without a clear target people start loosing their sense of urgency, wake up, etc.
If past history is any indication, what I imagine they may do is “imply” that that GT has started without stating overtly to leave themselves plausible deniability (akin to the 1975 fiasco).
Regardless, as an apocalyptic religion, they have a limited number of choices and shelf-life. And, even though many will stay with it past the “expiration date” (like my family), it may wake up at least some.
Reply
 
 
 Kat says:

 July 17, 2015 at 10:06 am
 
Inspiring!
 One can only hope this is the beginning of the end for the WT org and its GB.
Reply
 
 
 David says:

 July 17, 2015 at 10:13 am
 
I think the WatchTower hasn’t got any economic problem. For managing assets they are masters. They have the best advisers and the american rich JWs pump lots of money in.
They have instead membership problems. I don’t think more people want to give up freedom for a cult with inhuman practices (like shunning).
Lies won’t last forever so one day they have to face reality but it will take time. Cults have a difficult time to realise what they truly are.
Reply
 
 peggy says:

 July 19, 2015 at 10:29 am
 
This is a good point David, maybe not economic problems but, membership problems. Which eventually could spell economic problems. About 4 years ago my congregation was told by the CO to split a perfectly nice large congregation into 2. We went from 150 using the nice large hall to 70 people and extra utility use when they had to open it up for the extra meetings.(I always thought the move was to make the numbers of congregations appear
 to be growing when membership is stagnant. I have been gone some 2 years now. And then this letter comes out about putting congregations back together when they are not using the hall to max. I honestly believe something is up. Something is amiss. And it may mean problems. Which GB may hint is a sign of the end.
Reply
 
 
 
 Susan says:

 July 17, 2015 at 10:21 am
 
Great article! It’s so exciting to think that this horrible and cruel organization may one day implode! They’d shot themselves in the foot years ago when they strongly discouraged couples from having children – so think of all the ice cream money they weren’t able to extort! I imagine that many more will wake up when they are personally affected with upcoming Kingdom Hall mergers and those who are laid off at Bethel. They will experience first hand just how “loving” their organization is, and discover that JW org would rather risk losing members than losing money. Once again though, they are shooting themselves in the foot as these lost members equal lost revenue and will be another step closer to the organization’s demise.
Reply
 
 
 airborne says:

 July 17, 2015 at 11:09 am
 
I really enjoyed the article Cedars. My gut says the Watchtower ship is sinking like the Titanic. Of course all the poor Witnesses in Steerage Class are going to get screwed.
Reply
 
 Searcher says:

 July 17, 2015 at 1:24 pm
 
Great analogy! I think they are sinking like the titanic. Not many people believed it was sinking until it was too late to put the lifeboats out fully. Like you said, the poor steerage members of the rank and file will get left holding the bag. History always shows that in many other organization implosions.
Reply
 
 
 Alone in MD says:

 July 17, 2015 at 8:58 pm
 
I agree with you airborne. Most of the minions are very dedicated, god loving people that don’t know or care about what rules and regulations the GB come up with. My wife is one of the brainwashed minions and can’t point out anything negative about the GB. Very sad situation.
Reply
 
 
 
 Dee says:

 July 17, 2015 at 11:20 am
 
Thanks Cedar :) It’s comforting and affords hope to us when all of those points are gathered together like this. There isnt an “increase” in their ranks, and the annual report will be the next thing to go. A decrease in numbers will be explained away with the whole “there will be a cooling off” or “separation of the sheep and goats” or similar damage control responses. I for one appreciate so much what you do.
Reply
 
 
 Grace Cowie Wilson says:

 July 17, 2015 at 12:07 pm
 
If they decide that the great tribulation has arrived they are then free to start issuing instructions thT might not seem rational from a human viewpoint.
Another thing that intrigues me is the “no show” in the Lopez case leading to a decision for damages in the sum of $13.5 million. Clearly the WTBTSB made a pragmatic decision in this case to pay up on a default judgment against it rather than risk
 (i) a precedent setting decision against it that could affect settlement prospects against it in other cases; and/or
 (ii) disclosure of damning documents.
The extreme lengths litigation-wise it has gone to (including a very risky strategy which failed) to obstruct the investigation by the UK Charity Commission is also very interesting.
They may have even more to hide than we are currently aware of.
Reply
 
 Itfeelsgoodtobefree says:

 July 20, 2015 at 12:46 pm
 
Very well put Grace! Who knows what else they are trying to sweep under the rug…
Reply
 
 
 
 John says:

 July 17, 2015 at 12:33 pm
 
I find it comical that if you want to believe the prophecies in the bible, notably in Revelation, it seems that most of the ‘fulfillments’ that the WTS applied to other religions are now more applicable to them. Keep up the great stream of articles Lloyd. Good reading for a change.
Reply
 
 doda says:

 July 18, 2015 at 2:08 pm
 
Agreed, John! I have been thinking this very thing for quite some time. I also have to agree with the comment about the GT, implications that it is/has started. Oh to be a fly in the car of any car group in the USA and the UK!
Reply
 
 
 
 Ken says:

 July 17, 2015 at 12:36 pm
 
First I have talked to ex -witnesses who say that the organization today is unrecognized in its form every one says –
It’s not the same sect I grew up in .. That’s what everyone who left are saying . Most of those who left were of the so called 1914 er generation who grew up back in the 1970 and 1980s saw hundreds baptized at conventions . The decline today is obvious . It’s no getting away from that ,secondly is the constant shifting doctrines , the literature decline only means they don’t have enough educated people to write as they did back in the 1950 – 1970 era because the org was able to mass produce books , and magazines . One has to only hear Anthony Morris anti eduction rant on JW.tv . Obviously the decline is a self inflicted wound. As a teen I saw a prelude of it back during the 1980 s when the first secret elders book came out , along with how people were treated at the Kingdom Hall. The loving so called atmosphere was replaced with judge mental talks from the elders . Things were unraveling then . The future , the only way to save the Watchtower is a revolution from within , removing the entire governing body , and shift the sect back closer to the Adventist movement where it sprang.
Reply
 
 
 Carlos says:

 July 17, 2015 at 1:19 pm
 
In Buenos Aires the Watchtower administers a huge geriatric complex. Older people sign off their pensions, property, and anything their family may inherit. Then the Watchtower promises to take care of them until they die. Knowing the Watchtower record on fulfilling promises … this is not going to end well. I imagine they will leave the country and stick the old geezers to the care of their congregations after taking everyone to the cleaners. Mark my words!
Reply
 
 Chris says:

 July 19, 2015 at 1:15 pm
 
Do you have any links with info about this?
Reply
 
 Cedars says:

 July 19, 2015 at 1:23 pm
 
Links are in the article. :)
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Carrie Bee says:

 July 17, 2015 at 1:33 pm
 
Fantastic article John!!!
Reply
 
 
 Searcher says:

 July 17, 2015 at 1:43 pm
 
Good analysis of the situation! As I said a while back, the internet and education are the GB and WTS’s worst enemy. It’s really beginning to take it’s toll on them. Why do you think they are so dead-set against higher education and having their members question what the leadership says?
The “organization” is in a tail spin, retreat, and downsize mode for now. However, don’t think they are going to go anywhere anytime soon. They will regroup as some evidence is shown. The will pull “bunnies out of the magic hat” as Dee has said earlier. There are some loons that will believe their drivel now matter what. Basically, people believe what they want to believe, even if it’s ridiculous paradise earth visions that have no logical substantiation.
Reply
 
 Searcher says:

 July 17, 2015 at 1:47 pm
 
My apologies to anyone that have family members still in. I didn’t think before hitting the send button. “Loons” is not a good term, since these are loved ones to some of you out there. People are to be respected. I don’t want to lower myself to the name calling that the Watchtower has done for so many years. :/
Reply
 
 Bonnie says:

 July 18, 2015 at 5:43 am
 
The people formerly known as MY family who are still in this hateful cult ARE loons. No offense taken here.
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Grace says:

 July 17, 2015 at 2:36 pm
 
This is one of the best articles I have read.
Narcissistic, Psychopaths always find a way to survive. The top end will make sure that they have some strategy to stay afloat. Those that will stick by them will be the vulnerable who aren’t necessarily unintelligent but can’t think of a life outside of the cult.
Reply
 
 yawn says:

 July 17, 2015 at 3:00 pm
 
Really hoping you are right, but in some ways I hope it lingers on. Why? I just think about all the people who would be completely devastated if it ever folds. I managed to get out in my late teens. I can’t imagine what its like for people who are farther on in years and suddenly have their one figurative crutch removed. I don’t know which is worse! I’m some ways I think they deserve it but in others I just feel bad for them. And unfortunately the men benefiting from this scam will never see justice. :(
Reply
 
 
 
 J*L*C*R says:

 July 17, 2015 at 2:52 pm
 
“Down, Down, Down, in a burning ring of fire”.
Reply
 
 
 MYSELF 3.1 says:

 July 17, 2015 at 3:34 pm
 
Dear Cedars,
 Thanks for your balanced and well thought article, which got my attention as a run a management consulting firm. Here some observations.
On one side the financial issues are pretty evident, yet JW are once more proving very able to make smart business moves: they are cashing-in and reinvesting in real estate, securing and centralizing ownership of properties, ensuring constant incoming cash flow through what you described as tithing, reducing costs of printing, facility management and human resources.
They also seem to have understood the need for a re branding by pushing the jw.org logo above both Watchtower and the name Jehovah, which incidentally is quite sad because they proud themselves of being better than ancient Jewish who adopted abbreviations and replacements for The Name, and now they are doing pretty much the same hiding The Name behind jw.org… the only difference being that the scribes did it out of reverence, the WT is doing it out of shame. Still, though, a sound marketing move.
Are these good signs or bad signs? Are JW doomed or rather successfully engaging in a new strategy? It depends on what the objective is. If the purpose is to remain in existence and safeguard the comfortable life and annexed ego of few, then they might indeed succeed. This means that we will see more changes and a total re branding of the organization, to the point of making it unrecognizable from what it was. I envisage even a possible change of name, and perhaps the jw.org campaign is a prelude of this. The hard activities will gradually be eliminated, following the trend of reducing pioneering hours, convention days, magazine pages and number of meetings. The junior management will be made happy by taking away the burden of preparing talks, living them free to enjoy their role play as little managers making petty decisions. The meetings will feature just broadcast sessions, which will increase uniformity and further reduce critical skills. To be a JW will involved attending weekly shows, like going to the movies, and enjoy tiny bits of local power and strong social acceptance within the group. Altogether very appealing for right wing bigots, left wing idealist, people seeking the comfort of social acceptance, people without any secular fulfillment enjoying putting on a tie and playing to be a mini-leader, people in need of channeling their unaddressed psychological issues and conspiracy theory style folks that love the cheap elitist of knowing a secret alternative truth.
In my opinion the current organisation looks like the typical company that has good consultants but a structural inability to apply sound advice. Hence, the contradiction between sound business strategies and terrible PR, such as the rambling of the current GB members, the insistence in policies that are a total marketing disaster such as ostracism, blood issue and abuses cover ups. Who will prevail, the business wise component or the inadequacy of the leaders?
I wish to see them imploding but I think that it will take some external help and activism on the part of us former members. We need to expose the brutality of their mind control methods and their dangerousness before they implement a re-branding and before they cleverly take distance from their own history. To flood the Internet with the TATT is just one of many ways required to facilitate the implosion and I am glad to join this forum posting my first comment!
Reply
 
 
 Ted says:

 July 17, 2015 at 4:19 pm
 
Unpalatable instructions to elders, always include some devious
 phrase, to ensure their compliance.
Re- the letter regarding utilising K, Halls. Elders are appealed to
 As “Spiritual Men who recognise that the K,Halls belong to JHVH.”
So the not so subtle implication is, as JHVHs Org, we can do what
 the hell we like with them.
Reply
 
 
 SR says:

 July 17, 2015 at 4:37 pm
 
I am going to start saving up for when they auction off Jehovah’s Chariot. I am going to slap an orang triangle on it’s backside and pimp it all over town.
 Sadly, no matter what happens there will still be some incapable of accepting they have been tricked. David Koresh still has followers.
Reply
 
 
 Imacountrygirl says:

 July 17, 2015 at 4:38 pm
 
Great article Cedars!
I have a sort of different take. I don’t think WT is necessarily running out of money, I think they are quietly moving the money around and putting it in safe places/accounts, sort of like squirreling it away. If it’s in a protected account, it can’t be touched by lawsuits. I think they are attempting to get as much money from the pubs as they can while they can. Now that they have taken over ownership of all those KH’s, it would seem WT is about as wealthy as they have ever been, imho.
Reply
 
 
 John Plummer says:

 July 17, 2015 at 4:41 pm
 
Great article…except such pessimism re the life expectancy of the Watchtower Society. Don’t forget, THE driving force for ordinary Witnesses is the imminence of Armageddon, and when exactly is that coming? Before the generation that overlaps the generation that witnessed the year 1914 passes away. And who said this? Jehovah God, in His, “increased light”- information transmitted directly between God and the Governing Body and reported in the April 15, 2010 Watchtower. When “increased light” is proven to be false it can’t be dismissed as “speculation” by “Jehovah’s people” or blamed on “over enthusiasm” by Watchtower writers… when the “overlapping generation” passes away (with no sign of Armageddon, of course) Witnesses will be left with the stark choice: either Jehovah lied or the Governing Body lied. Either way, the religion is screwed! How ironic for the Watchtower Society – they are about to be annihilated in a corporate Armageddon!
Reply
 
 Queen Elsa says:

 July 19, 2015 at 10:48 pm
 
, I couldn’t agree that
Reply
 
 Queen Elsa says:

 July 19, 2015 at 10:48 pm
 
More
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Ted says:

 July 17, 2015 at 5:03 pm
 
Great read Cedars. Who says there’s not much good news
 these days.? can’t think who they might be!
Reply
 
 
 Mama Joy says:

 July 17, 2015 at 5:55 pm
 
Do you have a copy of the elders letter?
Reply
 
 Gareth says:

 July 17, 2015 at 11:54 pm
 
@Mama Joy, there is a link in the article: “letter to all elders…” is the link.
Reply
 
 
 
 Mike Morris says:

 July 17, 2015 at 11:28 pm
 
I think that the organization is mirroring what is happening to Christianity generally, and will be left with an ageing membership that will decline over the years. All the points made in the article will have an impact of course. Particularly the effect of the internet and sites like this one.
Reply
 
 
 sally1914 says:

 July 18, 2015 at 1:23 am
 
Wow! I think this is your best article ever! SO encouraging! I thought I was getting my hopes up, and was trying not to, then I read this article. Your points are dead on accurate, watchtower surely seems to be hurting financially! It’s so exciting to think that this horrible and cruel organization will one day implode!
Reply
 
 
 Bonnie says:

 July 18, 2015 at 5:38 am
 
One can only hope. However, even if there was a mass exodus, there is always a handy scripture from the J Dub Translation to explain it. “The love of the greater number cooling off” comes to mind. They have scriptures to explain everything away.
Reply
 
 
 MrFair says:

 July 18, 2015 at 6:08 am
 
Great article! As far as printing operations are concerned, there is a HUGE amount of waste. Kingdom Halls almost always have a massive stockpile of old magazines in the attic, basement, etc. The publishers have loads of them laying around their house, garage and cars. My neighbor, who is a special pioneer, cleans out his car trunk monthly and inevitably ends up with a large box of unused and now damaged literature. He burns it in a fire pit to avoid the embarrassment of it all being dumped at the recycling center. At some point they will catch on and reduce the printing amounts. I would have done it years ago. They did at one point ask for publishers to bring back any undamaged, placeable literature to the hall. Now what are we going to do with this box of “Truth” books and Awake! Magazines about the dinosaurs? The whole thing is an absolute circus when the spell breaks and you see it for what it is. I hope they do declare bankruptcy someday, morally, spiritually and financially.
Reply
 
 
 Braveheart says:

 July 18, 2015 at 7:13 am
 
Wholeheartedly agree with the sentiments Cedars, but for a different speculative reason. As you say, because of the Org’s financial secrecy, we can only guess at what is really happening within the Org’s chambers.
 My take: the money grab, followed rapidly by the promise/threat to merge congregations, (not to SHARE a KH) has been too dramatic to even think that this is a CHOSEN course. I’d suggest that the Org has been forced into such unheard of, draconian action because of the 2008 financial collapse. Its investments & hedge fund speculations have collapsed big-time and exposed them to bankruptcy, thus demanding such punitive measures on congregations.
 The flock could never be told that their beloved Org almost gambled away “God’s earthly organization.”
Reply
 
 
 John Z says:

 July 18, 2015 at 8:57 am
 
I am no trend setter. For my wife and who were very devout mid thirties born in jws. Now facing shunning and dfing I’m not alone many are waking up! I hope the org crashes and burns!
Reply
 
 
 James Broughton says:

 July 18, 2015 at 10:47 am
 
A well-written article, worthy of being produced in the form of a tract. Just as in the 1930s there could be a new movement with a new title rising out of the ashes but it will be full of the old heresies and bad practices that will continue to dupe unsuspecting people.
Reply
 
 
 Ted says:

 July 18, 2015 at 11:06 am
 
The WT, often bragged about the millions of mags, it distributed,
 but how many were actually placed with the public, and how many
 we’re junked? MrFair’s comment is so true.
I more often than not had difficulty placing my quota, in fact
 sometimes I came back with more mags, than I went out with.
 Making back calls on previous placements, the h,holder would
 come to the door and thrust the literature back at me, saying
“I don’t want this rubbish in the house.”
And the hard backed books, you’d carry them about for weeks
 then end up throwing them in the junk cupboard.
The con, here was that you paid up front this stuff, you didn’t get
 it on a “Sale or return basis” , so it was a no lose system,”For them”.
I worked for a company, selling brushes, and polish, they used
 the same no lose method. You’d pay in advance for what you
 needed to fill your orders, then some of the customers would
 change their mind. So instead of wages to feed the kids, you
 we’re left with several toilet brushes, and a few tins of floor
 polish. ( it’s a good job my kids were not fussy eaters. )
Reply
 
 
 JJ says:

 July 18, 2015 at 12:35 pm
 
I hope you’re right!!! It would solve so many of my problems if this stupid cult would crash-and-burn.
 It would be fun to watch, and maybe even be a part of taking down this huge, vicious group of deluded men. Then finally seeing my wife and children freed, not to mention many other friends and family members.
 For sure, without a doubt, JW.Org-land is going through some serious problems. Let’s see if they can reinvent themselves? I doubt it. Will some people stay in to the end??? Yes, some will. I think the vast majority will slowly slip away like cowards on a battlefield. They won’t talk about it and they will deny that they ever really believed it. The old hard-arses will not know what hit them as they see their “flock” get smaller and smaller every month.
 It will be fun to gloat!!!
Reply
 
 
 Paola says:

 July 18, 2015 at 3:03 pm
 
Very well written Lloyd. It is very sad to see how blind people can choose to be even when you try to share and just get them to ask questions from their organization. Love that last line! I’ll be in line to get your book. :)
Reply
 
 
 Wanderer says:

 July 18, 2015 at 4:25 pm
 
I can’t see them going broke. They have sold off their Brooklyn assets, they are ramping up on donations and they get their Kingdom Halls built at construction materials only prices paid for by the R&F and sold off at any time by the Society. They would be one of the only religions that don’t have any charity expenditure.
 I can’t see how they can lose with that business model.
Reply
 
 
 jakemon75 says:

 July 18, 2015 at 4:53 pm
 
Nice work. Your recent pieces have been especially good! Please keep finding the time to put these together.
Reply
 
 
 Ned Holcomb says:

 July 18, 2015 at 8:59 pm
 
This is my first comment on a site like this but your thoughts on the org’s finances made me think of another problem they may be having. The practice of shunning ones children caused many to send their estates to the Borg when they died. Why give it to those awful kids who left Jehovah when you can send it to God himself.
 Many of us who spent our life in this money hungry religion have no inheritance to give to anyone because of “putting God first” and not getting a career and not planning for retirement.
 It would be nice to see them as broke as many of us are as a result of there horrible advice and false prophecies.
 I think though that so many are so terrified of these men’s threats of destruction of those who oppose them that they will stay and support them no matter how bad they get because ” where do we go away to” is so instilled in there heads.
 I did love your thoughts and hope it happens.
Reply
 
 
 Tim says:

 July 18, 2015 at 11:26 pm
 
Great article and very perseptive. In each congregation there are real die hard believers who feel in their hearts god speaks via the governing body. Seeing GB members speak on their own TV channel is akin to seeing god speak. For this audience JW can do no wrong.
I think imploding is a long way off. What is more likely is a reduction in active membership to core believers and lots of fear inducing talks, Watchtower study articles to make core believers get the faders and stragglers onside. My wife, not very active, is impressed with videos shown at mid week meetings. This is evidence, she and others believes, that god is modernising the organisation.
On a completely different note, how many kingdom halls have windows? Any other public building without windows would make people dubious.
Reply
 
 
 Idontknowhatodo says:

 July 19, 2015 at 2:17 am
 
I find myself hungrily devouring every word you write because finally after a lifetime of being duped I have woken up….I always had times of periodic doubt but suppressed it because of various avenues of indoctrinated fear…I reg pioneered on many occasions…but over the last two years and especially since the monthly broadcasts on jw.org Ihave seen what I and my parents and siblings have dedicated our life to…an evil lie…now I am to old at 57 to build a life that can give me financial and personal fullfillment satisfaction…the opportunities I have tossed aside because of the direction of the organization…ones that would have meant such a happy and satisfying life…Im sick at heart…I am so in love with my spouse but they are totally duped and will listen to no reason or any argument against the organization…and would report me to the congregational elders ‘for my own good’ if thought needed…Im petrified of shunning because my whole family and all my friends are witnesses and I would be so alone…though sometimes I feel alone in a sea of people…in one way I have such relief…I no longer believe in God or a Devil..but I am utterly depressed because the best years of my life are gone…how can they do this to people?
Reply
 
 Excelsior! says:

 July 19, 2015 at 6:04 am
 
Idontknow…,
I am truly sorry for your situation. I hope that the WTBTS implodes soon, but I think it will be around for a good while yet in some form.
If I were in your situation, I would try to see my “theocratic” responsibilities as a role I had to play. What is the minimum you can do and still be “in good standing” in your situation? Find that level, and try to average around that. Another good tip is to use good old cheap words to your advantage. A few hearty “Isn’t Jehovah God’s spirit-directed Organisation wonderful?!”s and other similar statements will help convince the elders that you are in the fold.
I would reccomend reading the “Shepherding the Flock of God” elders text book. It is a cheat sheet for just what the elders will be looking for and knowledge is potential power for you to play them at their own game.
It’s a wretched situation, but these tips will hopefully help you. The only place where any human being can possibly be free is within their own minds. You are free, but your loved ones are sadly not.
These tips are how I would tackle this tragic situation. They may not work for you, but they may be of help to you. They come from a genuine feeling of compassion for you, and all those who face this awful dilemma.
All the best to you and your family.
Peace be with you, Excelsior!
Reply
 
 Idontknowhatodo says:

 July 19, 2015 at 7:10 am
 
Thank you Excelsior
 Its great that your advice comes from a sincere place and not a ‘words by rote’ mindset…
I think I will follow your advice for the near future and though Im no spring chicken try and alongsode it create a life for myself…
My loved ones are for the moment imprisoned…
Im happy my mind is not…
Thank you for bringing that to my attention..
 Peace be with you also
Reply
 
 
 
 peggy says:

 July 19, 2015 at 6:13 pm
 
Idontknow….I am 54 and recently told my family I am inactive. It took a long time to do it. I gradually woke up. My mind belongs to me now and that is more valuable than anything. The tips given to do as little and say the right “theocratic lines” helped me as I was leaving. I was angry the best years of my life were wasted, too. But, many new opportunities await. We can make it happen. It is funny , but the first thing I stopped doing was contributing money. It felt great.
Reply
 
 
 Searcher says:

 July 20, 2015 at 10:03 am
 
@Idontknowhatodo
 I really feel for your situation and it is touching. Don’t feel that all is lost. You now have your own mind and no one, not even the JW organization can take that from you. Of all things that Nazi concentration camp victims said: They would say that the Nazi’s could take their freedom, but not the freedom of their mind. You can rebuild yourself and move on even at 57, just not as some in greater society would think. You are free in your mind and that is something to be proud of, because freedom isn’t free.
Reply
 
 
 mandalay says:

 July 21, 2015 at 11:14 am
 
Idontknowwhattodo:
 I woke up two-and-a-half years ago. I stopped contributing two years before I actually stopped attending meetings. I am older than you and understand your pain because I’ve been there. There are so many things I want to do with my life now and can’t. But I’m completely over it now. I’m just happy as ever to be free, to start thinking instead of learning. I am never lonely. I use the internet extensively and read books–everything I can get my hands on, i.e., science, technology, sacred books and bible, history, politics, economics, conspiracy, mythology, theology, the paranormal… I am beginning to construct a different world view, which oddly enough, is not altogether taking me into the atheistic-evolutionist camp I thought it would, but that’s another story.
Reply
 
 Lou Cee says:

 July 22, 2015 at 7:39 am
 
Mandalay, I love your attitude and am doing the same thing! It is wonderful to be free!
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Gameisover says:

 July 19, 2015 at 2:42 am
 
Thank you for a superb article, Cedars. You’ve said it all, and so well. I know many “friends” who still attend meetings for the love of their families. The great silent revenge is they have stopped contributing completely.
 They also write 1or 2 hours in their monthly report so as not to be considered inactive. How sad to have to resort
 to those strategies in order to conserve ones family and friends! (The number is legion).
Reply
 
 Idontknowhatodo says:

 July 19, 2015 at 3:20 am
 
Really…is it that many?
 Im not alone then
 Thank You
Reply
 
 Alicia says:

 July 20, 2015 at 11:20 am
 
I was baptized at 13, was contacted at 25 by Jon Mitchell, a friend at Brooklyn Bethel, regarding the shake up involving Raymond Franz and others (didn’t listen), and finally, at 50 and unhappy, I read Crisis of Conscience and In Search of Christian Freedom (became inactive).
That was 10 years ago. I just read “Exiting the JW Cult: A Healing Handbook for Current and Former Jehovah’s Witnesses” by Bonnie Zieman. I can’t recommend it highly enough. I wish I had this info when I was young enough to make a real life outside JW.org. But whatever time I have left can be better. All’s well that ends well.
Reply
 
 Lou Cee says:

 July 22, 2015 at 7:43 am
 
One of the things us older folks can do is comfort the df’d ones online who come to these forums. Perhaps we can make a difference in the awful suicide rates of the df’d. If they just hold-on, they will find new friends and even “family” here on the web.
Reply
 
 Excelsior! says:

 July 22, 2015 at 9:52 am
 
Lou Cee,
What a lovely and kindly idea. One of the things that makes human beings so amazing is our ability to show compassion to others, even though we have never met them.
We have all found solace and respect here, and on other sites on the web.
It makes me happy to think that there are so many ex Jehovah’s Witnesses who really want to help current and ex JWs to find a way to live a full and happy life after the cult.
Peace be with you, Excelsior!

 
 
 
 
 
 Queen Elsa says:

 July 19, 2015 at 11:01 pm
 
Yep, me too!
Reply
 
 
 
 anonymous says:

 July 19, 2015 at 3:41 am
 
When you read between the lines of that letter to the elders, you can see the Society is losing ground but true believers will see that it’s a smart move to close down Kingdom Halls where attendance is low and drive to distant Kingdom Halls.
What the rank and file don’t see is that the Society will get the money from these fire sales and sock it away in their off-shore accounts where nobody can get their hands on it or they will reinvest it in more and more property.
What I also foresee, is faders and old people dropping out when they have to start driving long distances to their new Kingdom Halls and having to pay for the gas and getting home so late. I think it will be a good excuse for the faders and doubters and old people and people with young children to stop going and with fewer and fewer people attending, it will be more and more discouraging for those attending and then as the old ones die off and the younger set going on the internet and seeing the “truth” for what it really is, I see it dying off in maybe 20-30 years. By that time, the Governing Body will be all dead but the Watchtower corporations will be the richest organizations on the earth with the sale of all their Kingdom Halls and assembly halls and branches.
Reply
 
 
 JWIntellect says:

 July 19, 2015 at 5:34 am
 
Superb article!
Reply
 
 

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Is Watchtower imploding? 10 reasons why the end could be nigh
avatar 
Posted on July 17, 2015

Are we witnessing the beginning of the end for Watchtower?
Are we witnessing the beginning of the end for Watchtower?

For many current and former Jehovah’s Witnesses who find themselves victimized by Watchtower’s cruel cult-like practices, the prospect of witnessing the end of the organization seems too good to be true.
Especially when you have spent many years being sold false promises of extraordinary future events, it’s understandable that you would be wary of getting your hopes up over something as significant as the downfall of the organization that misled you.
I obviously won’t make you any promises, because I have learned to be extremely cautious of wishful thinking in all its forms. But when I look at what is going on with Watchtower, I see an organization falling from grace at a rate faster than I could have ever reasonably envisaged.
The latest evidence of the organization’s free-fall comes in the shape of a letter to all elders in the United States branch territory, dated July 8, 2015. You can read about Watchtower’s new “master plan” yourself, but essentially it adds a further caveat to their smash-and-grab, stealth-tithing maneuvers from last year. (Thanks go to JWleaks.org for first making this letter available.)*
The new letter essentially says to publishers (or doesn’t say to publishers, because it’s an elders-only letter): “Not only are we going to make you promise to send us money every month for maintaining a kingdom hall that isn’t owned by you in any meaningful sense, we are also warning you that we might sell your kingdom hall, pocket the proceeds, and send you to go share someone else’s kingdom hall while STILL taking your money for the kingdom hall we’ve just sold.”
Rather than write an exhaustive summary of the letter, and re-hash points I have already made on this matter from previous articles, I thought I would take a different approach by adding this latest development to my list of 10 reasons why I believe Watchtower COULD be about to implode. Here goes…
1. Jehovah’s Witnesses are becoming a toxic brand
toxic-brand
The internet is more hostile than ever regarding Jehovah’s Witnesses. As the world becomes more aware of the cult phenomenon (thanks in part to the success of documentaries like HBO’s “Going Clear” film about Scientology) journalists are becoming less squeamish when it comes to highlighting the cult-attributes of the organization in newspaper articles and news broadcasts.
Ex-Witnesses have already turned YouTube into a no-go zone for believing Witnesses, and continue to explore ingenious strategies for reaching out to those under Watchtower’s spell. Even non-Witness blogs like Hemant Mehta’s Friendly Atheist are now rallying to the ex-JW cause and becoming increasingly vocal about the organization’s harmful practices. All this means it is harder than ever for Witnesses to find new converts, and easier than ever for Witnesses to wake up.
2. Less “spiritual food” is being printed
spiritual-food
The wafer-thin magazines on the literature carts testify to a huge drop in printed output of 39% for monthly magazine printing since 2005. If God’s one true organization is flourishing, why has it so drastically scaled down on its “spiritual food?” The simple truth is, printing is expensive. VERY expensive. A good gauge of prosperity for any printing organization is its printed output. If a printing company has a problem, it will print less stuff. That is exactly what we have already been seeing for some time with Watchtower.
3. Globally, the organization is in retreat
retreat
Watchtower has been shutting down branches at a rate never before seen, with branch numbers plummeting from 118 in 2009 to just 90 as of last year. The organization used to pride itself on its global footprint, and would herald the dedication of new branches as evidence of God’s backing for the global preaching work. Now Watchtower is in open retreat, using single branches to run the affairs of multiple countries. RTOs, or “Remote Translation Offices” (think of an RTO as a Bethel-lite), are seen as a way of keeping some kind of presence in far-flung territories, but the glory days of Watchtower’s relentless global expansion are fast disappearing in the rear view mirror.
4. The begging has started
begging
For the first time in the organization’s history, the Governing Body openly admitted to a shortfall in needed funds in the May 2015 JW Broadcasting episode. This unprecedented move was made despite Watchtower making 1 Billion from selling off its Brooklyn portfolio ($375 million in one transaction alone), which could indicate the Brooklyn proceeds have already been spent. After all, when there is zero accounting transparency, we have no way of knowing how indebted the organization is. No amount of revenue from property sales will be much use to Watchtower if it is all getting sucked into a bottomless pit of accumulated debt.
5. The stealth tithing has started
tithing
Expect an organization in financial peril to desperately claw around for ways of bringing in more cash from available assets. In Watchtower’s case, they are prevented from demanding money from individual members, because this would be classed as “tithing” – a practice associated with false religion that the organization has condemned since its inception. What Watchtower CAN do is tithe, not individuals, but congregations. This is precisely what the new “Local Design/Construction” arrangement has achieved.
Last year elders were forced to promise a fixed amount to be donated to Watchtower every month from their congregation account, based on (1) what the congregation was already sending for paying off a building/renovation loan, or (2) anonymous slips of paper passed around so that publishers could indicate what they could afford to pledge. Congregations were even told to send any surplus funds squirreled away for a rainy day to Watchtower, leaving just $5,000 plus three months’ worth of regular operating expenses.
Amazingly, the majority of Witnesses continue to be oblivious to what amounts to a smash-and-grab, and are instead under the assumption that Watchtower has mercifully forgiven all kingdom hall building loans.
6. Kingdom hall ‘mergers’ are in store
fuel-in-car
As already mentioned, Watchtower has instructed all United States elders as of July 8, 2015 to be ready for their congregation to be re-assigned to a different kingdom hall if the organization’s new “master plan” deems this necessary. The letter marks the green light for the downsizing we are already seeing at branch level to be soon rolled out at congregation level, and is again clear evidence that Watchtower is desperate to claw in money wherever it can and become a smaller, more financially nimble organization.
The end game would be kingdom hall multiplexes in city-center locations shared by five or more congregations – a far cry from the parochial feel older Witnesses will be accustomed to.
As delightful as it is to think of such a huge regression in the local presence of the organization, you can’t help but feel bad for all those long-standing Witnesses who have donated thousands over the years under the false assumption that they were responsible for their local kingdom hall’s upkeep. Soon, for all their kindness and generosity, such ones may face lengthy and costly car journeys to intimidating, soulless, inconvenient city-center locations allocated to them by Watchtower.
7. Personnel are being jettisoned
kicked-out
Last year district overseers received the unwelcome news that their positions no longer existed, and they were surplus to requirements. Though some will have been demoted down to circuit overseer rank, the majority will have been jettisoned by the organization to fend for themselves – an entire strata of the organization’s hierarchy dissolved, and deemed no longer serviceable or cost-effective.
In a similarly unceremonious manner, workers at branch offices subject to closure by Watchtower have been cast adrift, with years or even decades of loyal service apparently counting for very little in the organization’s quest to make ends meet. The recently-emerged story of a Wallkill bethelite who was virtually thrown out on the street due to “cutbacks” suggests that the organization’s top brass have no qualms when it comes to wielding the axe. Bethelites in Watchtower’s heartland would do well to watch their backs and plan for the worst as the organization looks to slash spending wherever it can.
8. The secret weapons have failed
secret-weapon
Despite all the fanfare and hype, JW.org has been unable to attract internet-savvy non-Witnesses – its main target audience. It is, quite literally, preaching to the converted. The 2015 Yearbook boasted that JW.org received 850,000,000+ total visits in the first two years from Aug 27, 2012 to Aug 31, 2014. This figure sounds impressive until you factor in the number of Jehovah’s Witnesses – 8 million. Assuming every active Witness visits their own website at least once per week, you arrive at only a slightly lower figure of 832,000,000 visits over the two years (8,000,000 x 52 x 2).
And despite succeeding in making the organization more visible, there has been no notable increase in baptisms in the two years since the literature carts (or “metropolitan witnessing”) program was launched. After all, getting literature into someone’s hands won’t stop them going on the internet and fact-checking when they get home. And that’s assuming anyone is interested in approaching the carts to begin with. In this Guardian article, the reporter watched some carts in a busy part of London for an hour, and the only person who approached the Witnesses did so because they needed directions.
9. The child abuse floodgates have opened
flood
As was predicted at the time, there has been a relentless stream of child abuse lawsuits filed against Watchtower since the 2012 Candace Conti verdict. In 2013, a year on from the Conti judgment, lawyer Irwin Zalkin told me he had no less than 11 lawsuits on his books. Though many such lawsuits end up being settled, the success of the Jose Lopez case and the recent victory in London’s High Court have shown that if child abuse victims are willing to dig their heels in and stay the course they can have, not only compensation, but justice served.
All of this doesn’t bode well for an organization already under fire for its cult-like shunning practices and death-dealing prohibitions on blood transfusions. And apart from the atrocious reputation, with well-informed journalists like Trey Bundy spelling out the problems of organizational mishandling in the media, the money for paying off multi-million judgments and out-of-court settlements has to come from somewhere.
Even if the Governing Body sent a long-overdue letter out tomorrow FINALLY telling elders to report all child abuse accusations straight to the police, Watchtower would still have to answer to the backlog of lawsuits from victims who suffered while the two-witness rule was (is) still in place. Such victims may well have only a finite window of opportunity to get ANY money out of Watchtower at all.
10. Watchtower doesn’t have a PR strategy
head-in-sand
You’re an international, faith-based non-profit organization with a toxic brand both on the internet and in the media. Fewer people from wealthy, developed countries with internet are joining you, and thus donations are dwindling. For all the evangelizing and promotional work of your members, a few clicks on Google can completely dismantle your organization’s message. To make matters worse, you have mounting legal costs and settlements to pay for out of an ever-diminishing revenue stream. What you urgently need is a good PR strategy to make it easier to bring in fresh converts (and their donations) – but even here Watchtower is almost comically inept.
The organization’s PR strategy is essentially two-fold: (1) bury your head in the sand and hope your opposers eventually get bored and go away, or (2) refute the claims made by your opposers using outright lies (*cough* Rick Fenton). Both of these methods may help the likes of Tony Morris get to sleep at night in the short-term, but ultimately they are self-defeating. To neutral observers, silence is incriminating when damning allegations are on the table – especially related to harming children. And when you flat out lie about your damaging policies and teachings, you only give critics like me more rope to hang you with.
The only workable strategy Watchtower can pursue at this stage is one of reform, but past experience shows that any form of “compromise” is seen by the Governing Body as capitulation to Satan’s hordes. In short, Watchtower is sinking because its deluded leaders are their own worst enemies.
What does the future hold?
I do not for one moment suggest that we will see an end to Jehovah’s Witnesses as a religion in our lifetimes. The fact that there continues to be such a thing as the bible students, who still cling to Charles Taze Russell and his discredited, outlandish teachings, tells us that religions have amazing survival abilities even when members are deprived of their leadership. Faith, after all, is a product of people’s minds. When enough people believe the same unsubstantiated thing you have a religion, regardless of whether there is a person or organization to lead it.
But while religions are virtually indestructible, corporations are not. Non-profit organizations like Watchtower are just as capable of getting into debt as any other business. And when your bank manager starts bankruptcy proceedings against you because you can no longer service your debts, it’s game over.
The organization's glory days are already behind it
The organization’s glory days are already behind it

Those who suggest Watchtower is too big and successful to go down need only look at the fact that it has already been shrinking since it reached its zenith (in terms of branches and printing operations) some time between 2005 and 2010. Add to that the desperate clawing for cash over the five years since then, and you have the omens of an organizational collapse.
The winds of change have completely overtaken Watchtower in the internet age, and the Governing Body find themselves in a whole different ball game to their predecessors. If things are really as bad as I suspect, Watchtower needs to drastically downscale its operations to, say, a handful of branches and zero printing. In other words, it needs to become like its noisy neighbor Scientology, which despite having only 50,000-or-so members (and an even worse reputation) still has an impressive portfolio of valuable property scattered across the globe and minimal overheads compared to Watchtower.
But any downsizing of that magnitude would send Watchtower into an even more vicious spiral, in which it would start hemorrhaging even the most diehard members. After all, when you have spent decades pointing to your success as evidence of divine backing, how do you explain any sudden, sharp decline?
If Watchtower were to go bankrupt, it could always try claiming that the Great Tribulation has begun and Satan’s minions (their creditors) have started overtly attacking God’s people, but this simply will not wash with more intelligent Witnesses. Whatever is left of the organization (perhaps re-branded to ditch the Watchtower name entirely while retaining the Governing Body at the helm) would have a huge exodus on its hands.
It is precisely because of all the pride at stake that, in my mind, a sudden implosion seems increasingly plausible. Unlike ordinary commercial organizations who have the flexibility to change their size and scope according to the prevailing conditions, “God’s organization” can only be seen by its members to be going in an upwards trajectory for its grandiose claims of divine direction to have any credence. Any noticeable regression would rightly be interpreted as evidence of God’s favor being absent. Thus any problems would be allowed to accumulate behind closed doors until they reach a critical mass.
Of course I could be wrong, but if that is so then Watchtower is doing an awful lot of begging and downsizing for no particular reason, and with far too much to lose by doing so. It could well be that some incredible developments are ahead as Watchtower’s predicament further deteriorates, and the Governing Body slowly discovers that Jehovah isn’t coming to the rescue after all. I had better get on with writing my book while there is still an organization to write about.
 
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85 Responses to Is Watchtower imploding? 10 reasons why the end could be nigh

← Older Comments
 
 ruthlee says:

 July 19, 2015 at 8:04 am
 
dear i dont know what to do ive just come from a dead meeting all those little lost sheep with nothing of substance to say for themselves and i attended fs meeting afterward 2 elds 1 real pio not the pretend young who never support anyone but themselves see it for what it is and have hope in time you will see the path you need to be on meanwhile people like lloyd and others help you realise you are not going mad i too in 50s and frittered away my life but i hope and still believe in our creator and ihope the smashing instrument comes first to those who declare they have Gods authority the rot really has set in and the house will fail just dont let you and your family get caught in the crossfire and this site has helped me so much im truly grateful that like minded people exist and are willing to be kind
Reply
 
 Darlene says:

 July 21, 2015 at 12:45 am
 
Ruthlee, this is really hard to read. After a couple of words I gave up. I don’t want to be snotty, but with punctuation marks and maybe a paragraph here and there it is easier for the eyes to follow your words.
Thus giving them the attention they deserve :)
Reply
 
 
 
 It'sJustMe says:

 July 19, 2015 at 11:24 am
 
“If Watchtower were to go bankrupt…..”, Lloyd dixit, ….I would not hesitate for a second to celebrate this happy event with champagne.
Reply
 
 
 Pam says:

 July 19, 2015 at 1:52 pm
 
Hi Cedar,
 Thank you for this information. However neither my friend or I could open the letter to the elders. Is there some other way to view it?
 Thanks in advance,
 Pam
Reply
 
 Cedars says:

 July 19, 2015 at 2:09 pm
 
Hi Pam! I’ve just checked again and the link above does work.
Be sure to click the blue rectangular box that says: “Click here to start download from sendspace.”
Thanks.
Reply
 
 
 Cognitive Loop says:

 July 19, 2015 at 7:06 pm
 
How I opened the elders letter linked in this article:
Go to site linked in article. Click the download link. There should be a pop-up box asking how you want the file: save it? or open it? Select “open”.
But here’s the trick: it requires a file reader such as Adobe/Acrobat Reader. Perhaps that is what is gumming up the works on your end? Or maybe a firewall/permissions setting?
Reply
 
 
 
 Finn Sawyer says:

 July 20, 2015 at 12:09 am
 
Looks like Watchtower had the link to the elder’s letter removed from the JW leaks site server. The URL is null.
Reply
 
 Cedars says:

 July 20, 2015 at 3:26 am
 
Yes, the JWleaks/sendspace link no longer works. Fortunately the letter can still be read on this link… http://imgur.com/Ng4CYXy
Reply
 
 
 
 Erik says:

 July 20, 2015 at 1:56 am
 
Or…downsizing CAN be explained to the flock as a sign that we are sooo deep into the last days, all religions are under attack, even this one now. So soon Jehovah must act, because now Satan has turned his wrath onto His organization. Any negative happenings can be explained away like so!!
Reply
 
 Lou Cee says:

 July 22, 2015 at 6:44 am
 
Or, perhaps they will claim that the “sorting work” is nearly over. (face palm)
Reply
 
 
 
 alain says:

 July 20, 2015 at 4:06 am
 
Hi Lloyd,
Thanks for this sobering article…
But, about these facts:
 1) the huge building process in Warwick ( the new JW worldwide headquarters)
 2) the crucial need of more and more Kingdom Halls?
Looking forward to hearing from you the soonest,
Kind Regards
Reply
 
 Cedars says:

 July 20, 2015 at 5:47 am
 
Hi alain
The building project in Warwick is a property flip. They are building their new headquarters at a fraction of the cost of what they are making from selling Brooklyn, so it’s a money-making exercise rather than a statement that the organization is financially stable.
As to the stated need for kingdom halls, for this to be a “crucial” need, you would need to see a corresponding surge in the numbers of those baptized. Instead the growth figure has been hovering around the 2% mark for the last five years, indicating growth is stagnant and any perceived need for new halls has been there for many years.
Lloyd
Reply
 
 
 
 Rae says:

 July 20, 2015 at 6:40 am
 
Cedars
 You’re spot on with so much you have to say about the Watchtower Society… my own experience… but to disavow the existence of the maker of all things because the messenger has become apostate itself…? No condemnation here at all. Just a suggestion for a little rethink. Is it possible that God has become ticked off and decided to do something about the falsehood in the Society?
 Yours… Rae
Reply
 
 Cedars says:

 July 20, 2015 at 6:46 am
 
Rather than being based on my experience with the organization, my reasons for no longer being religious are due to the lack of evidence for a theistic God, but thank you for your concern.
Reply
 
 Idontknowhatodo says:

 July 20, 2015 at 7:32 am
 
Me too Lloyd
 Im certainly not replacing all I have rejected with another ideology…
Evidence points in one direction only…
I refuse to ignore my powers of reasoning any longer…
Please never stop writing or doing your videos…
They have been an enormous help to me…
Helping me free my mind.
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Free Thinker says:

 July 20, 2015 at 7:10 am
 
Has anyone else noticed the use of the phrase “master plan” in paragraph two of the letter. How many dictatorial powers have used that phrase and come to nothing.If it goes wrong they can always blame the “master plan”.Imagine now Vincent Price laughing manically in the background.
Reply
 
 
 LOL says:

 July 20, 2015 at 8:50 pm
 
What a bunch of pathetic losers!!
Reply
 
 
 Darlene says:

 July 21, 2015 at 12:56 am
 
Probably (hopefully?) most elders won’t get fooled into thinking that WT is soo thriving that they don’t know where to put all the new sheep in (ha ha).
A sobering thought for me is: IF this letter would get to be known to the rest of the congregation, would they draw the false conclusion that this move is made because of exploding growth?
 Oooh the organisation needs money to build more kingdom halls but it is still not enough! We also need to move closer together! Oh all the growth. Jehova must surely pour his blessing over the congregations…..
Isn’t that probable that JW people will just distort the facts to soothe their perception?
Reply
 
 
 Everyday Explorer says:

 July 21, 2015 at 7:47 am
 
What an incisive article. Thank you, Lloyd.
Reply
 
 
 ScotWm says:

 July 21, 2015 at 10:39 am
 
Over half of the 10 items listed as evidence that the Watchtower is headed for collapse are related to financial problems. Item 9, “The child abuse floodgates have opened”, appears to have the power to eventually destroy the Watchtower.
My attempts to obtain a realistic total of all Watchtower child abuse settlements has been unsuccessful. There are a number of confidential settlements, for which there are no amounts stated, as well as many multi-million dollar judgments listed as being appealed by the Watchtower legal department.
Regarding a recent California child abuse case: “In the Lopez trial, the Watchtower refused to provide its list of perpetrators, in violation of an order upheld by the California Supreme Court. It also refused to provide the longest-serving member of the Governing Body, Gerrit Lösch, who was subpoenaed.” The judge awarded a $13.5 million default verdict which the Watchtower cannot appeal. However, the Watchtower is currently appealing the amount of the judgment.
https://www.revealnews.org/article/jehovahs-witnesses-use-1st-amendment-to-hide-child-sex-abuse-claims/
Candace Conti was awarded $28 million, but the punitive damage award was reversed, leaving only $2.8 million in compensatory damages. There is no record of the Watchtower having paid Conti any amount at this time.
In any event, the number of child abuse cases is growing, the Watchtower’s delay tactics are becoming ineffective and the bills will eventually come due. The Watchtower will need a lot more than its children’s ice cream money to cover the child abuse judgments.
Reply
 
 
 RK says:

 July 23, 2015 at 4:29 pm
 
I’m curious about this desperate need for Kingdom Halls. They say they give money or money is needed for these halls. But I’ve seen them close down halls of older ones in Pennsylvania only to make them travel farther. It’s not like they gave the money back. They kept it. We live in the poorest area of Pennsylvania and still have to pay for our Kingdom Hall. So who is getting this donated money. Even the poorest areas and Kingdom Halls are self supported by their own donations and have to pay their own bills and loans from the society. So when they say there is an urgent need for Kingdom Halls. Where is this need? They act like they just give the money to those in need. But it generally is a loan. Even in a foreign 3rd world county. They don’t build an $800,000 Kingdom Hall. They build a cheap ass brick hut. That cost next to nothing and even those people have some funds to contribute. In fact, if they did not have funds on their own they can’t build a hall. So who is getting money to build a hall when it’s all loaned and not given. They have these people thinking it’s given to them for free to build. But again, I live in the poorest part of PA and not one of these halls gets the free money. In fact they all do this new tithing! They pay even when the loan is paid off. And again to re-state. They are an extremely poor area.
Reply
 
 
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Watchtower’s influence comes under scrutiny in family court
Posted on May 23, 2015

A judge at Leicester law courts (pictured) has concluded Watchtower beliefs were causing one boy "emotional harm"
A judge at Leicester law courts (pictured) has concluded Watchtower beliefs were causing one boy “emotional harm”

A family judge in Leicester, England has determined that the seven-year-old son of a Jehovah’s Witness mother should be removed from her care due to “emotional harm” being caused at home, so reports the Daily Mail.
School officials testified that the boy (who cannot be named) had been disruptive in class multiple times whenever bible-related topics are discussed. During one lesson discussing the crucifixion story, he destroyed materials with scissors and was quoted as saying, “nobody’s telling true stories about Jehovah.”
The boy is also reported as having told school staff that he “could not be with people who didn’t believe in Jehovah,” and has spoken “contemptuously” about a non-Jehovah’s Witness bible.
It also appears his father was deemed as unfit. The boy is quoted as saying “I don’t love daddy at all,” describing him as “really mean.” Whether these claims are true, or a result of the mother’s conditioning, is unclear. Testimony heard by the judge seems to suggest the parents were involved in a feud, and the boy found himself in the middle of it.
After hearing all sides of the matter, Judge Clifford Bellamy ruled the boy would be better off in the care of foster parents. In his ruling he is quoted as saying: “I am satisfied that (the boy) has suffered emotional harm… I am satisfied that the fact that (the boy) has been immersed by his mother in her religious beliefs and practices has been a significant factor in causing that emotional harm.”
Though a case of this notoriety is rare, negative results stemming from Watchtower’s undue influence upon children are not uncommon. Being highly impressionable and trusting, most children do not see a need to question what their parents teach them. Many children brought up as Jehovah’s Witnesses are easily molded by the “us vs. them” attitude that is inherent to Witness beliefs.
I personally can recall having a feeling of superiority over non-Witness children as a young child. Growing up, I was trained by my own mother, congregation elders, and Watchtower’s publications to believe that everyone who was not a Witness (including my then non-believing father) would be destroyed at Armageddon—and their carcasses eaten by birds. My young life was filled with images of the terror and destruction that awaited all those who rejected the “Truth.”
This indoctrination by Watchtower has led to the break up of countless families such as mine, as Witnesses follow counsel to shun those who leave the organization for fear of being destroyed themselves.
Fear learned at a young age is often difficult to unlearn. Even those of us who wake up and leave the organization will often encounter the thoughts of devastation we were conditioned with. Tragically, the resulting fear and guilt can lead some down destructive paths, even to suicide.
It isn’t hard to see how this boy, caught between quarreling parents, and being fed Watchtower doomsday stories, might have acted out in school. In his young mind, he is a crusader for truth. One can only hope that being away from family and Watchtower pressures will help him see the beauty of the world and how to peacefully exist in it.
The family’s case will be revisited again this summer by the Judge.
 
 
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Further reading…
◾Daily Mail article
◾JWsurvey articles on undue influence
◾JWsurvey articles on child indoctrination


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25 Responses to Watchtower’s influence comes under scrutiny in family court

 anonymous says:

 May 23, 2015 at 1:18 pm
 
When my son was six years old, I was working full time and forgot about the pledge of allegiance and on the first day of school, the teacher called me at home to tell me what happened when the pledge came up. He closed his eyes real tight, plugged his ears with his fingers and turned around so he couldn’t see the flag. The teacher wasn’t mad about it or anything and only called me to tell me what happened so I could explain to him what he could do during the pledge and it wasn’t a problem from then on. I remember being really proud of him at the time because being only six years old, he had gotten the idea from meetings that somehow the pledge of allegiance was really “evil” and that was his little six year old way of dealing with a situation that to him seemed really “evil” and he hadn’t been told how to handle it.
When later, I related the story to some “friends” at the hall, they thought how terrible of my little boy to have acted so “disrespectfully of the flag”. Here I was proud of him and they were ashamed of him. I will never forget that as long as I live.
In kids’ minds, they have no idea what it’s all about and they think they are doing the right thing and they are too little to comprehend very much about life at all at that age. That little boy was made to feel about a different Bible than the New World Translation as “evil”. That is brainwashing at it’s best.
I can’t see that the government is going to take this little boy out of his family for that because I think if they take this little boy from the family, he is going to feel like it’s all his fault for doing what he did in school. It seems extreme to me unless the father is really abusive.
This is a case where I could see the Society sending in their lawyers to fight it to make a name for themselves and claim “persecution”.
Reply
 
 
 Hakizimana Jean de Dieu says:

 May 23, 2015 at 1:19 pm
 
Good article and news after I divorced a Jehovah’s Witness wife in October 2014. I feel better away this woman who unfortunately has with help of Elders and “other sheep” under undue influence from stupid interpretation of the Bible by “The Slave” (JW’s Governing Body)! I feel pity of my son who will be forced to follow her mother’s cognitive dissonance.
This religion stands for a purpose I really fail to understand as a human. It wilds mankind. Consider the following:
*** fy chap. 8 pp. 96-97 pars. 17-18 Protect Your Family From Destructive Influences ***
 Yet it is not enough simply to teach your children to avoid bad associates. Help them to find good ones. One father says: “We would always try to substitute. So when the school wanted our son on the football team, my wife and I sat down with him and discussed why that wouldn’t be a good idea—because of the new companions that would be involved. But then we suggested getting some of the other children in the congregation and taking all of them to the park to play ball. And that worked out fine.”
18 Wise parents help their children to find good friends and then to enjoy wholesome recreation with them. For many parents, though, this matter of recreation presents challenges of its own.
Reply
 
 
 Hakizimana Jean de Dieu says:

 May 23, 2015 at 1:22 pm
 
I wanted to mean …. “I feel better away from this woman who unfortunately has taken captive my cute son with help of Elders and “other sheep”…”
Reply
 
 
 Mama Joy says:

 May 23, 2015 at 1:35 pm
 
The notoriety of this case my be unusual, but the crime isn’t.
Reply
 
 
 Darlene Alexander says:

 May 23, 2015 at 2:01 pm
 
So true, Jeni! JWs in general are taught to hate, but it’s a very insidious type disguised as “love.” Though the child may be acting out because of his feuding parents (and we all know what that’s about….), this little boy is a poster child for how JWs teach their children to view anyone that does not belong to their ‘religion.’ If that doesn’t say ‘cult’ I don’t know what does. Thanks for the overview of the news item!
Reply
 
 Grace says:

 May 23, 2015 at 3:34 pm
 
@Darlene A.
I totally agree with your comment. It’s one of the passive aggressive religions I have ever come across. Hate disguised as love is a really appropriate description. Their true colours often come out when you least expect it.
Reply
 
 
 
 Kat says:

 May 23, 2015 at 2:46 pm
 
Good article, and not at all UNCOMMON to be sure. The us vs. them, we’ll live in their fine home after they are killed, destroyed at Armageddon is a theme often repeated at in the door to door work. And years of mum’s comments that “worldly” people will die because of celebrating holidays, being patriotic or any number of infractions wears on their wee minds. No wonder this poor child lashed out at what he viewed at pure Satanic ways of life, that’s all he heard for 7 years.
Reply
 
 
 Pickled brain says:

 May 23, 2015 at 3:55 pm
 
7 year old …. Damaged already… PROBABLY BAPTISED at 6 years of age …. !!!!
Reply
 
 Pickled brain says:

 May 23, 2015 at 4:16 pm
 
@Darlene & @Grace …. ‘Hate Disguised as Love’ Very Aptly Put !! The Love is Conditional as I found out when I make comments in the Watchtower study like ‘ I hope the F&D Slave get it right this time on the Generation Interpetation ‘ After a comment like that I have been Cold Shouldered, Blanked, ignored,etc By friends??? I have known for 30 years BECAUSE of a Personal ,BUT VERY HONEST Observation!!! Now that is FRIGHTENING CULT BEHAVIOUR!!!
Reply
 
 Peter green says:

 July 23, 2015 at 2:40 pm
 
The number of brothers I have spoken to that don’t have a clue where the ‘gb’ have come up with this latest generation nonsense is beyond belief…. But no one dare dare speak out..I have dipped my toe in the water a couple of times and got odd looks….my id on jwrecovery is ‘onmywayout’….I am now fully awake.
 And scared to death of the up and coming ‘train crash’ (still an elder)
Reply
 
 Average Joe says:

 July 23, 2015 at 3:06 pm
 
Peter, think twice about your decision please. You can do a lot of good as an elder who does things right. The organisation needs people who genuinely try to stick to Bible teachings, especially showing love & mercy as opposed to being judgemental. I don’t know how old you are but you can encourage others by your example and bit by bit try to enlighten people.
 I was chatting the other day with an MS who had no idea about the JW child abuse cases nor the WTS policy for elders on how to handle it. It was an eye opener for him. We just have to make sure that WE do what’s morally right and more importantly expose the elders, servants, and others with responsibilities who are in the organisation to play gods amongst men.
 If you are in an insufferable situation or unhappy then by all means do what’s best for you and leave but if, like me, you are happy being with your friends in the KH and your social life, then why give it up? Hope I’ve explained myself ok.
Reply
 
 
 anonymous says:

 July 23, 2015 at 4:47 pm
 
I think being an elder and calling it quits, has to be earth shattering for your congregation. It would be so nice to be able to talk freely why you are leaving but of course if you write a letter of disassociation, the elders will just say that you are no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and the congregation is left to wonder just what you “did wrong”. They won’t know it’s because you woke up to all the lies.
The Society’s motives are so evil when it comes to disfellowshipping and those still left in the cult who are wasting their lives away on a fantasy are the most to be pitied. Once we take the step and stop going and stop donating, we finally feel free for once in our lives and can step out of the dark cloud and be happy.
I have to disagree with Average Joe. Once I woke up, I could no longer stomach showing any support at all by going to meetings or service or assemblies.
If we show up, the rest of the congregation doesn’t realize just how many of us keep going just because we are afraid to be shunned.
The more of us that quit, the more the Society is going to be forced to change it’s ways. If we go to the meetings and raise our hands and answer at meetings, we could be giving off the impression that we still think it’s the “truth” and those with real doubts (could be sitting right next to us at the meetings) won’t realize that their doubts are legitimate and won’t have the courage to step out of the prison, aka Watchtower.
That is why it is so evil that the Society shuns for quitting. The Organization would crumble and fall tomorrow if the Witnesses were free to express any of their doubts to each other without the threat of being shunned.
What I have heard for people who have an almost impossible way to quit, is to turn in fake hours. It’s a fake organization, so why feel guilty about turning in “fake” hours? It wouldn’t bother me in the least.
Reply
 
 
 
 
 
 Jerry O Connor says:

 May 23, 2015 at 10:59 pm
 
Hello to all
 Seven year`s old and brainwashed. I empathize with the child but not with the parents. The only positive that I see in this sad case is that watchtower is stymied. The behavior of the child is so extreme that he can`t be another watchtower “poster boy”. Then there is the parents. They turned their son into a watchtower extremist. Another family destroyed by this obscene cult.
Reply
 
 
 dontknowwheretogo says:

 May 24, 2015 at 4:47 am
 
Bet the kid never gets ice cream now…
Reply
 
 
 Rowland Nelken says:

 May 24, 2015 at 2:50 pm
 
Will any of the practising JWs who clearly follow this blog come to the defence of the Watchtower cult and blame the ‘worldly’ judge?
Maybe they have learned their lesson and realise that their grubby little corner of Christendom is utterly indefensible.
Reply
 
 
 Excelsior! says:

 May 25, 2015 at 5:12 am
 
Folks,
This is another tragic case. A child should be able to rely on the unconditional love of its parents.
The WTBTS actually have a packet that they give to Witness parents when custody is being challenged in court.
It says to coach the child into looking and sounding more like a normal child! It councels not to speak of pioneering etc etc!!
I shall await with interest the eventual outcome of this case.
What a poor little boy! I hope that he is given the help he needs to find some stability and peace.
Peace be with you, Excelsior!
Reply
 
 
 minion says:

 May 25, 2015 at 7:21 pm
 
Great commentary Jeni,
Family members are not the same when they get exposed with indoctrination of JW beliefs.
Your comments are supported by a you tube video that was released 3 days ago by a young girl explaining in her school classroom, the troubles and challenges elders impose on familys when issues arise at home.
Your comments and this video are one. The URL:
https://youtu.be/RDvT_gYq-ls
Keep up the good work!
Reply
 
 
 Andrew says:

 May 26, 2015 at 5:03 am
 
Drama drama drama, boy do we apostates love drama
Reply
 
 yawn says:

 May 26, 2015 at 5:30 am
 
@andrew
Or maybe we are happy for one kid who may have a chance at a somewhat normal childhood, but still worry for others who have no way out of this cult (yet). Yes, we do like to see the hypocrisy, inhumanity and ruthlessness of the WT organization exposed, despite their best efforts to hide it, because we want the world to see the true face behind the JW.org mask.
Reply
 
 Andrew says:

 May 26, 2015 at 6:04 am
 
well, i don’t like the fact we are making it look as if every jw kids are dammaged like this child, say what you want, we all know this aint the case. I have 4 kids, they had many friends in the JW. Some still in, others not, none of them are this troubled, quite the contrary. The poor kid probably has unfitting parents, he would act strangely even if they were atheist. Just sayin
Reply
 
 Excelsior! says:

 May 28, 2015 at 5:18 am
 
Andrew,
Thank you for your comment. I am glad that, in your opinion, your 4 children were not harmed by thr WTBTS cult.
I would respectfully disagree.
All JWs are abused. This is a cult, and NOONE is unaffected by it.
Yes, we can sometimes have reasonably “normal” relationships, but the underlying superstructure is damaging.
Children are abused in numerous ways in this cult.
Their lives are controlled, to greater or lesser degrees, by cult techniques.
This case was a fitting subject for an article. The problems this child is dealing with are a direct result of the WTBTS’ teachings.
Peace be with you, Excelsior!
Reply
 
 
 Excelsior! says:

 May 28, 2015 at 5:22 am
 
Andrew,
Can you direct me to any articles from atheists that encourage children to destroy RE resources or encourages children not to talk to their parent?
Peace be with you, Excelsior!
Reply
 
 
 
 
 
 Kat says:

 May 26, 2015 at 5:43 am
 
Well said yawn!
Reply
 
 
 Pickled brain says:

 May 26, 2015 at 8:11 am
 
@Andrew . You & your family might have had positive experiences but I have seen for every good experience 8 BAD ONES mainly Elders Children!! Some have had MENTAL BREAKDOWNS, SOME HAVE COMMITTED SUICIDE!! These were Friends of mine !Many Have DEPRESSION & are on Medication!
 Believe Me GIVE IT 15 MORE YEARS,Andrew & When ARMAGEDDON hasn’t come & there is MORE NEW LIGHT on ‘The GENERATION Doctrine’ ,then the ‘1914 Date’ & as there is NOWHERE in the Bible that supports 1914,1919,1935 etc as there was nowhere in the past that supported 1874,1878, 1925,1975 !!! ERRORS after ERRORS !!!
 So Andrew come Back to me in 15 years & tell us all here how your children are WHEN THEY ARE DISAPPOINTED at the LOST OPPORTUNITIES at not Fulfilling their POTENTIAL whether a Good Career,Better Education & MORE IMPORTANTLY FRIENDS??! That are PROPER Friends who won’t DROP YOU LIKE A STONE when you Voice a Difference of OPINION to 7 FALLIBLE AMERICAN MEN Who CHANGE INTERPRETATION of Scriptures over the Last 25 years Since Fred Franz died & Even have ADJUSTED??? The Supposedly BEST TRANSLATION of the BIBLE EVER SEEN back in 1960!!!
Reply
 
 
 James Broughton says:

 June 2, 2015 at 4:54 am
 
Jeni’s article and comments are once again superb. To be fair, Christian families sometimes have to make hard choices over their children’s education. For example, hallowe’en has posed problems in the UK. Whilst not supporting ‘brainwashing’ I believe education is about opening the mind not closing it.
Reply
 
 
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← The Book Corner – Combating Cult Mind Control by Steven Hassan
The must-read story of a ministerial servant and his wife who woke up in the last few months →
 
Tony Morris scapegoats gay people in bizarre child abuse denial rant
avatar 
Posted on July 6, 2015

Tony Morris has indulged in a bizarre rant in which he denies any organizational problems with child abuse
Tony Morris has indulged in a bizarre rant in which he denies any organizational problems with child abuse

Governing Body member Tony Morris has used the July 2015 episode of JW Broadcasting to indulge in an astonishing rant about child abuse, seemingly in response to the onslaught of negative publicity Watchtower has faced in recent years.
In his nine-minute statement on the matter, Morris shows two video presentations and reads from a 1982 Awake! magazine in attempting to make the case that Watchtower has always been “pro-active” in making the protection of children a “top priority.”
At one point, Morris unleashes an astonishing swipe at gay people in an apparent attempt to scapegoat homosexuals as being the main perpetrators of child abuse. “It [an Awake! article] warned about homosexual men who prey on and advocate the right to use boys for sex. Shame on them!” he says. (See time stamp 02:49 in the video below.)


The 1982 “‘Chickens’ and ‘Hawks'” article to which Morris alludes is a shameless piece of propaganda blaming homosexuals in general for child prostitution rings that flourished in the 80s and 90s, and which society itself has condemned (such as in the 1994 award-winning documentary “Chicken Hawk: Men Who Love Boys“). (See Wikipedia article)
Morris’ exploitation of this isolated controversy to make a sweeping generalization about gay people represents only the latest example of what appears to be a pattern of homophobic bigotry above and beyond even the scathing condemnation of gays and lesbians found in Watchtower publications.
Last year Morris was voted one of 2014’s craziest “right-wing nutjobs” by Advocate magazine for his baffling comments at last year’s United States Branch Visit, at which he warned of a conspiracy whereby homosexuals are designing tight clothing merely to lust after men’s bodies. (See time stamp 03:20 in the video below.)


And only recently, at the 2015 regional convention, Morris made a not-so-thinly-veiled declaration of his disapproval at Ireland’s recent referendum legalizing same-sex marriage.


Clearly Morris has an axe to grind against homosexuals for reasons best known to himself, but that he should mobilize his bigotry against gays in defense of the organization’s outrageous record on mishandling child abuse is bewildering to say the least.
Head in the sand
Homophobic scapegoating aside, Morris’ comments are a fascinating example of the organization’s “head in the sand” approach in the face of mounting media scrutiny of Watchtower’s child abuse track record.
This strategy was most recently deployed by Stephen Lett, who used a recorded “morning worship” speech to claim that media attention on the issue was nothing but “apostate-driven lies and dishonesties.”
As much as activists like myself desperately wish there to be no problem in this area, and as much as we yearn for JW children to be protected, various facts are well-documented and glaringly obvious, namely:
◾Watchtower has been found legally responsible for its mishandling of child abuse in courts of law on several occasions in two different countries (see articles on Candace Conti, Jose Lopez and the latest UK high court judgment), in some cases being ordered to pay multimillion dollar damages for their negligence
◾Watchtower gathers and holds information concerning an unknown number of pedophiles, thought to number into the thousands, on a database. Watchtower admitted the existence of the database in a 2002 fax to the BBC, and it lost the Jose Lopez case in part because it refused to divulge the contents of the database in that particular trial. (See this Huffington Post interview video.)
◾Watchtower publications do not urge parents to report allegations of child abuse to authorities in all instances
◾Watchtower elders have been criticized for covering up instances of child abuse from the authorities, as in the cases of Mark Sewell, Jonathan Rose and Gordon Leighton
◾Watchtower instructions to elders in the 2010 Shepherd the Flock of God book and subsequent instructional letters uphold the “two witness rule,” whereby if there is no witness to an allegation of child molestation (or no allegation from a second victim is forthcoming) elders are to “leave matters in Jehovah’s hands,” as the following scan clearly shows
◾Watchtower instructions to elders also maintain the position that the branch office, not the police, should be the first to hear of a report of abuse, and that past child molestation does not necessarily bar someone from serving as an elder in the congregation
child-sex-abuseNone of the above pressing issues are addressed or even alluded to in Morris’ nine-minute statement. Instead he heaps praise on the organization for taking “a decisive stand,” for being “pro-active,” and for making the safeguarding of children a “top priority.”
A reputation to be proud of?
Morris even summons the gall to claim: “We are proud of our reputation in this regard.” Irrespective of what Morris or other Governing Body members may think of their handling of child abuse, if there is one thing beyond dispute in this area, it is that Watchtower’s reputation is not one to be proud of.
One possible strategy Morris might have employed if he had an ounce of humility would be to throw his hands up and admit that, like other organizations, Watchtower was simply caught off guard at a time when the threat posed by child abuse wasn’t fully understood.
Instead, Morris adopts the reverse approach by suggesting the organization was always ahead of the game while secular authorities were floundering and “somewhat naive” as to the magnitude of the problem.
As an example of Watchtower’s foresight he parades the “landmark” 1982 Awake! magazine as highlighting the scourge of child abuse over thirty years ago. But it should go without saying that it is one thing to highlight child abuse as a problem, but another thing entirely to offer effective advice.
For example, the article in that magazine titled “To End Child Abuse” gives the following advice, few aspects of which can be considered especially relevant…
◾“[The bible] calls for close communication between parent and child”
◾“[Psychologists] say parents must be fair and set good examples, but children need regulations and discipline”
◾Sex education promotes masturbation and homosexuality. “Regardless of the pros and cons of sex education, the hard fact is the tremendous increase in child prostitution, sodomy, pornography and incest.”
◾“In God’s due time all who embrace his kingdom under Christ will become able to keep this law of love perfectly… This is the only way, the final way, to end child abuse.”
Watchtower’s 1982 guidance on protecting children from predators thus called for (1) better communication between parents and children, (2) strong parental discipline, (3) less sex education and (4) God’s kingdom. This advice, claims Morris, “straightforwardly addressed” the issue and, combined with subsequent magazine articles can be considered as exonerating Watchtower.
What Morris doesn’t mention is that not one of the magazine articles on child abuse published over the last few decades specifically tell Witness parents to go to the authorities with any and all allegations of abuse, which is surely the first priority in the wake of a crime of such magnitude being perpetrated. One 1993 Awake! article even goes so far as to suggest that, in certain cases, “the legal system may offer little hope of successful prosecution.” (Awake! 1993 10/8 page 9)
Morris attempts to throw up a smokescreen early in his presentation by asserting: “Our policy as an organization is that one professing to be a victim, or his parents, should never be discouraged from reporting the incident to the appropriate authorities.” But this is nothing more than a play on words, and a deliberate attempt to deceive.
It is one thing to tell children to resist predators, it is another thing entirely to deal properly with the aftermath
It is one thing to tell children to resist predators, it is another thing entirely to deal properly with the aftermath of an attack

True, Watchtower doesn’t expressly dissuade parents from going to the authorities, but it doesn’t persuade them either. Morris thus overtly relies on the ignorance of his audience regarding the nuances of Watchtower’s policies in an attempt to dupe them into thinking reporting is encouraged, even though the organization has yet to issue such instructions to elders despite repeated courtroom defeats.
At best, Watchtower literature over the decades has taught children to be able to identify predators and report such ones to their parents – the most recent example of which is the Caleb and Sophia cartoon presented by Morris in this video.
But teaching children to resist predators is only a fraction of any meaningful, effective child-safeguarding policy. The whole reason why child abuse is so evil is precisely because, for obvious reasons, children will always be vulnerable in the face of any sufficiently determined and opportunistic predatory pedophile, irrespective of how much resistance they put up.
Any child safeguarding policy worth its salt must thus adequately address what to do in the aftermath of an attack so that pedophiles are swiftly apprehended, and this is precisely where Watchtower falls woefully short. Parents are not told to go straight to the authorities by elders in every instance, they are merely informed that this is their “responsibility.”
Throw into the mix the perception that child abuse is a sin that the elders have a remit to investigate, the importance of “waiting on Jehovah,” the stigmatization of taking your “brother” to court, and fears surrounding slander and false accusations, and the likelihood of the police being left out of the loop entirely becomes all too apparent.
Worse than you think
I recently found myself in a phone conversation with a BBC journalist regarding Watchtower’s mishandling of child abuse. I expressed to her my frustration at the perception among Witnesses and Watchtower apologists that so-called “apostates” like myself are exaggerating the problem of child abuse.
I told her that, if anything my colleagues and I are understating the magnitude of the problem, because some of the horrendous stories we hear about privately simply cannot be publicized for various reasons.
She replied: “Welcome to the world of journalism.” This, apparently, is the challenge all journalists face in covering important stories where the full grisly horror of what is happening simply cannot be revealed for a myriad of issues including privacy, court orders and so on.
Tony Morris and the Governing Body may desperately want there to be no problem regarding child abuse, but as the saying goes, there is no smoke without fire. When you add up the relentless stream of child abuse reports in the press, including several clear instances where Watchtower has been found guilty and ordered to pay eye-watering sums in compensation, it is clear that, far from being ahead of the game, the organization is ablaze with this problem.
And documented evidence in the organization’s own instructions to elders leaves the Governing Body red-handed in not taking child abuse seriously enough by considering it a sin first, and a crime second.
For all his bluster, boasting and outrageous gay-bashing, the frustration and desperation of Tony Morris and his fellow Governing Body members is becoming painfully obvious.
Putting their hands over their ears and saying “la, la, la” in the face of serious accusations of child safeguarding negligence may work for them personally, but this juvenile charade only adds to their culpability as court after court finds Watchtower negligent. And growing numbers of Jehovah’s Witnesses are seeing straight through it.
 
new-cedars-signature3
 
 
 
 
 
 
Further reading…
◾Rawstory: Jehovah’s Witness leader promotes child safety cartoon with homophobic rant
◾Freethinker: JW chief targets gays in child abuse video
◾Pink News: Jehovah’s Witness Leader, “homosexuals” are child abusers
◾Taze.co: Jehovah’s Witnesses link Homosexuality to Child Abuse in official Broadcast, like it’s 1979
◾JWvictims: The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses Blame Homosexuals for the Pedophilia in Their Religion
◾Stephen Lett slams “apostate-driven lies and dishonesties” concerning child abuse record
◾After his branch visit performance, is “Tight Pants Tony” now a liability for the Governing Body?
◾“We will decide who is a predator!” – New Watchtower Instructions to Elders on Child Abuse
◾JWsurvey articles on child abuse
A full video rebuttal of the JW Broadcasting episode in question is forthcoming, and will be embedded at the foot of this article when complete.


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64 Responses to Tony Morris scapegoats gay people in bizarre child abuse denial rant


Newer Comments →
 
 dontknowwheretogo says:

 July 6, 2015 at 7:15 am
 
It is not so much WHAT iTony is ranting about that I enjoy but the fact that he IS ranting, and ranting way more than the other GB members.
He reveals his true colors, what is in his heart (a scripture came to mind but I forget) and it is becoming clearer and clearer this man is not “right” and has “issues”.
He will become a valuable tool in waking up others, ironic isn’t?
Lloyd, perhaps you should call him to tell him he is deluded and helping others wake up to TTATT…oh wait…
Any more details on your chat with the BBC? It is annoying there is not more coverage…Conti case gets settled and there is hardly a peep from any mediastreams…
Reply
 
 
 StrongHaiku says:

 July 6, 2015 at 7:43 am
 
I have a hypothesis, that others may feel free to shoot down, but seeing these types of incendiary statements from the GB makes me think that this may be a reaction to their own irrelevance.
I was indoctrinated with the idea that JWs were so special and important that Armageddon would come when they would draw the anger of the nations, etc. and be persecuted. That has not happened.
I often think this is some type of strategy (whether conscious or not) by the GB to get the world to notice them. I can imagine being in the 21st century as a JW beginning to realize that most people don’t really care what JWs think, stand for, etc.
What do you do when you seem irrelevant? What do you do when the promised persecution/Great Tribulation has not come? Well, maybe you get in people’s faces and say controversial things and try to create the situation. Maybe they are trying to draw the ire of the world and spin that as persecution. If this is their strategy we should expect more and more controversial public statements and doubling down on controversial doctrines (e.g. blood, shunning, etc.).
Of course I could be wrong…
Reply
 
 Badshah says:

 July 6, 2015 at 8:38 am
 
I don’t have a credible source for this, but I read ‘somewhere’ that your explanation was exactly why Rutherford came up with the no blood policy, to draw the ire of the world and spark persecution. I wish I could find where I read that.
Reply
 
 
 JWIntellect says:

 July 7, 2015 at 3:12 pm
 
When I was in the religion I really thought, as did many other former Jehovah’s Witnesses, that we were truly a “theatrical spectacle to the world,” but I’ve since come to the immediate realization since abandoning the organization that, quite frankly, no one gives a damn about Jehovah’s Witnesses. They are an irrelevant, insignificant bunch to the world that no one even thinks about. The idea of being the center of attention was merely an illusion.
Your hypothesis isn’t too far fetched. It sounds credible to me. The nations are not paying any attention to Jehovah’s Witnesses and so their leaders are attempting to garner this attention by making provocative and incendiary comments about extremely sensitive issues.
I think one of the reasons Jehovah’s Witnesses were so intensely anti-Catholic in its early days was because of its own less than prominent status in comparison to the Catholic Church. The Governing Body and the Watchtower in no way, shape, or form have the kind of influence and power that the Pope and the Catholic Church have in the world, and so it would only seem right in their eyes to attack the big man on campus in order to gain some clout themselves.
Reply
 
 holy Connoli says:

 July 8, 2015 at 6:02 am
 
@JWintellect. I thought about it the same as you regarding the Catholic Church and the WT viscous attacks on Catholicism. They attacked the Catholics the Most bc they were the Biggest! The when the Catholics attacked back or defended themselves it somehow gave “credibility” to the WT! They could claim and argue see, we are being persecuted..we are somebody! See! They hate us for preaching the Word of God and we are the ONLY ONES doing it! SEE! We are significant! IN Reality when you leave the WT you realize nobody really cares or gives a Rat’s Arse about the JW’s or what they teach or say especially since 100% of their prophecies or predictions have NEVER come true! Not 1 thing they ever uttered in prophecy has proven true.
SOmetimes when I am with people or business friends we may see somew Jw’s wandering on the streets and I say look! ARe those JW’s? WHat are they doing? They look lost out here, what do they believe? Hardly a reaction from y associates or friends. A few may say, Oh I have a cousin or a work mate who is a JW. Or, Oh yea they thin the end of the World is coming soon, Or..are they the ones who don’t salute the flag or don’t take blood transfusions? Nobody takes them serious or that they have this great ALL IMPORTANT message? Tp the majority of humanity they are insignificant despite what they thin about themselves.
Reply
 
 
 
 Criticus says:

 July 16, 2015 at 6:06 am
 
(2nd attempt to get this posted – am I blacklisted? If yes, please let me know why. Thanks.)
Remember the “arrow in the running priests’s butt”-pic? Or the WTS’s insolent “God will destroy you and your Nazi party”-letter to Hitler? That’s what u r talking about. Now, THAT drew some irate clergymen’s or politicians’ attention, and triggered the wave of persecutions that dropped on the JWs during the beginning of the previous century. It was all self-inflicted, like a self-fulfilling prophecy. And then, they cheered: “Hoorai! WE are the real deal, we are the ‘true Christians’, bec. Jesus said ‘ You will be persecuted’ ” – but stop: Jesus also said (and the JW ignore this): “You will be persecuted BECAUSE OF MY NAME!” That’s the difference. JW did not get persecuted bec. they were Christians, but bec. they blindly followed the manmade rules of erroneous little men who deluded themselves into believing they have godlike authority. That’s why in Germany for example, the JW (formerly called “Earnest Bible Students”) are NOT considered as “exemplary” when it comes to resistance to the Nazis, not like Bonhöffer, Niemöller, the “Red Chapel” or the “Solf-Circle” for example, who suffered bec. of adherence to their Christian principles, not to manmade org-rules. Well, lets’ see when their “in your face”-tactics will bear some fruits – some real bitter ones.
Reply
 
 
 
 Faithful Witness says:

 July 6, 2015 at 7:55 am
 
As a non-JW victim of child sexual abuse myself, I know how hard it is to report abuse to your own parents. I was not subjected to the intimidation faced by JW kids, and it still took me 4 years to say anything to my mom. When I brought this topic up with my (now) JW mother after the Candace Conti verdict, she replied with accusations of greed on the part of alleged victims.
Blame the victim? These ARE Witnesses of Jehovah… (or WERE, until they started making up stories about those who are supposed to be protecting them…??)
How can you be proud to represent an organization that refuses to protect the most innocent and helpless among them?
I continue to watch my family get more divided, as my parents & sister surrender their minds & lives to this high-control religious organization. If an adult wants to give up their worldly ways and join a rule and work-based religion, that is one thing. Children of JW’s have no say in the matter.
Reply
 
 Cognitive Loop says:

 July 6, 2015 at 9:17 am
 
Good to see you again, FW. Hope things get better for you and yours. Plus I am very glad to see that you stood up well against the “elderettes” and their continued attempts to get you to come back to the indoctrination-fest, aka meetings.
Reply
 
 
 
 Mama Joy says:

 July 6, 2015 at 8:05 am
 
Um….When was pedophillia the “new morality”?
Also, saying you protect kids doesn’t make it so.
I was told to not tell on my Dad to child services because then he would be taken to jail and it would be my fault.
Then the scripture about not taking a brother to court was used and I was told I would go live with worldly people and if anything happened to my Dad in prison it would be all my fault and I would be blood guilty in Jehovah’s eyes.
The elders knew and said I needed to be more obedient. I had to secretly video record him before they would do anything…., then they made it their mission to punish me for getting my Dad disfellowshipped. They sent spies (concerned sisters) to grill me for anything they could pin on me.
This video sounds good, like they actually help children, but the reality is way different.
If you try to go to “proper authorities” (law enforcement or them only???) they will insist they handle the issue. And believe me they will talk to the person and that’s it. Your child will have to go to the meetings with their abuser and then as a parent if you tell the police, they will disfellowship you (for imprisoning a brother and not going through Gods proper channels).
Reply
 
 
 tosch says:

 July 6, 2015 at 8:12 am
 
I can’t help thinking that, when Toni Morris stresses the ‘appropriate authorities’, he might have a different definition in mind than we do. By adding ‘appropriate’, he seems to somehow include the elders… or am I wrong here?
Reply
 
 K. W. Burggraf says:

 July 11, 2015 at 7:29 pm
 
No, You’re absolutely right. I picked up on that immediately. I’m sure he means not only “including” the elders but “excluding” the police. Isn’t this stressed in the elders’ handbook for dealing with such situations?
Reply
 
 
 
 Cognitive Loop says:

 July 6, 2015 at 8:30 am
 
He states, “However, to take advantage of innocent young ones is absolutely despicable. As a religious organization, we have taken a decisive stand against such behavior” (approx 40 second mark).
Couple of things:
Firstly, they made make taking advantage of young ones into an art form. Someone quoted a gov body member that some child of 5yo had been ‘pioneering since 4yo and was now still pioneering at age 10′. Also, teenagers should have their drivers licenses used as leverage, in order to get dunked into a lifetime of servitude to this real estate corporation.
Secondly, the legal weasel-language is strong in that second quoted sentence. “As a religious organization, we cherry pick which scriptures back up our stance” would be much more accurate. They use Deuteronomy 19:15 to hold up as original two witness “law”, which had everything to do with REAL ESTATE, not rape. Yet if you page over to Deuteronomy 22:25, it actually discusses rape and that the woman needs no other witness if she was somewhere where no one would hear her screams. “[…] only the man who has done this shall die.”
But the real good news is this: they are feeling it, as far as the blowback of their misuse of the scriptures and horrible treatment of victims goes. The internet is shining a light on these virtual cockroaches (the gov body being the topmost ones) and their heinous behavior towards victims, including courtroom behavior, such as Gordon Leighton case, where elders refused to state the man confessed to molesting the child! And whole congregations standing behind the guilty elder, only on his side of the courtroom, leaving the victim and family to stand alone.
– – –
“Courtroom shenanigans
Rose arrived for his trial at Manchester Crown Court with an entourage of Witness supporters, including several elders. But this inundation of fans did not impress the judge.
With the trial threatening to descend into a circus on only the first day, the judge ordered that the court’s public gallery and even the waiting area should be off-limits to all but family and those involved in the proceedings.
Despite this ruling, certain elders are said to have ignored orders by trying to sit beside Rose in a public show of support – even though this was to lead to their ejection from the courtroom. The pleas of one elder to present evidence in support of Rose were similarly denied after complaints from the victims’ side.
Watchtower representatives emerge
A surprising feature of the trial was the arrival of two Watchtower representatives from bethel towards the end of the first week. Both were relatively young, perhaps in their thirties. Their identities are as yet unknown.
The victims’ side looked on in disgust as, for the remaining days of the trial, these representatives sat firmly on the defendant’s side of the courtroom, consulting with Rose and making it clear as to on whose side their allegiance fell.
Only when confronted emotionally by one of the victims’ family members on the final day of the trial did they accept that their behavior in supporting Rose so openly was inappropriate. After this exchange, they elected to sit in a more neutral position from that point onwards.”
– – –
^ That ain’t even the half of it, as they say.
Yup, the Watchtower sure hates deplorable behavior and stands firmly against child abuse/molesters.
edit – Not sure why my replies are not coming through. Hoping this one will.
Reply
 
 Simon Kestral says:

 July 6, 2015 at 11:11 am
 
Good point about Deuteronomy 22:25. A two witness requirement does not apply to sexual crimes. The same chapter says rape is like murder, where there may be no witnesses at all. Nevertheless, the one found guilty is put to death.
Common sense says a two witness requirement cannot apply to sexual crimes. I don’t expect much common sense from the GB though. They claim to be the “faithful and discreet slave” without consulting the master.
Not much common sense in that.
Reply
 
 Cognitive Loop says:

 July 7, 2015 at 1:12 pm
 
They have zero proof that they are indeed chosen by god. Funny how a child who is raped must produce two witnesses against his/her attacker, and yet the Gov Bod need no proof that they are who they claim to be.
Terry over at JWN pointed out that “Annointed” is an interesting title for these Brooklyn-based false prophet clowns to lay claim to: Hebrew translates the word to “Messiah”, and in Greek it translates as “Christós” or Christ.
Reply
 
 
 
 Queen Elsa says:

 July 8, 2015 at 1:18 am
 
That behavior makes me sick… I’m at a loss as to what to do for my two young children being raised in my once loved beliefs… :(
Reply
 
 
 
 Brad says:

 July 6, 2015 at 8:32 am
 
This is becoming more laughable from the perspective of those of us who have left and have lifted the veil.
Sadly, it becomes sadder and sadder these attempts by the GB in their literature, broadcasts, morning worships, cartoons, and letters to elders have little to no effect on the masses because of their minds.
Unless something changes in the court systems the WT will continue to shell out payments that will hurt it but not cripple it, and they will continue to grow and deceive more people.
I want to post links to all of these articles on my public social media pages since I know all of my former friends check my page from time to time but this will drive them right away since they will see it as Satan’s deceptive propaganda. He is the ruler of this world and controls the media after all with his master puppeteer skills..
The WT is doing the only thing they know how: portray an image of what they want to be believe and instill fear if you believe anything else.
Hope change is coming some time soon. As the org grows, so will the amount of children being taken advantage of.
Reply
 
 
 Jerry O Connor says:

 July 6, 2015 at 9:30 am
 
Hello to all.
 Morris is a homophobic gob shite! Cracks are most definitely appearing in watchtower. Trying to justify a non cooperation with the police. “He doth protest too much” would seem to apply to tight pants. Could Morris be the weakest link in the weakest chain? The more the public here what vitriol he spouts, the better. Still watchtower hides child rapists and its hands are covered in the blood of those murdered with the heinous blood issue. They make me mad
Reply
 
 
 Kat says:

 July 6, 2015 at 11:10 am
 
Once again they use a foolish picture of a small girl, dolly in hand telling her “father” or some man a firm NO! As if that would work, in your own bedroom, with you fully dressed and I could go on. That is not an accurate portrayal of the problem, and as usual it will put the blame for sexual assault on the victim. Katie darling, did you tell Elder Jackson a firm NO! when he asked to see under your dress? Yes, brothers I did, I told him NO! and said Jehovah doesn’t like this! Good girl, your free to go and Elder Jackson you too may go and geez Willie, next time hit up a worldly girl!!!! You guys are making our job tougher than it needs be…makes me sick but that is the way my case went.
Reply
 
 
 Daniel O'Brien says:

 July 6, 2015 at 12:25 pm
 
Cedars, that was one of the most balanced and clear articles that you have ever written on this subject.
A very bright light needs to be continuously shone on this problem if it is ever to be eradicated.
Well done!
Reply
 
 
 Jill Hileman says:

 July 6, 2015 at 12:32 pm
 
Hi Lloyd,
Would you consider taking the above child abuse handling bullet points along with the literature references only and creating a document or article specifically for use in forwarding to Witnesses who are fence-sitting?
If I sent this article as is, it would be immediately ignored, labeled propaganda. But mothers of young children deserve to know these facts, being obscured by the GB.
Reply
 
 Cedars says:

 July 7, 2015 at 12:32 am
 
That’s a good suggestion Jill, thank you. I am considering making a YouTube video of JUST those points with the aim of putting Witnesses in the picture in the face of an apparent determined effort on the part of the Governing Body to misinform on this issue.
Reply
 
 
 
 Ted says:

 July 6, 2015 at 1:21 pm
 
Morris’s feigned concern for children is sickening.
 Sure they’re worried about Paedophillia in their org.
 But mainly because of the bad publicity, and the effect
 it will have on recruitment, and possible defection.
 Plus the cost of expensive litigation and the threat to
 their tax exempt status.
If they were “Genuinely” concerned. They would drop
 the two witness rule. It’s entirely inapplicable to a crime
 where the perp, goes to great lengths, to make sure
 there’ll be no observers. And how cruel to demand from
 a distressed child, that they produce such witnesses.
 otherwise it’s only their word against another’s .
They have no right nor the appropriate training to subject
 children to such a harrowing inquisition. I repeat. If they
 we’re genuinely concerned. They would, without further
 delay, issue instructions to elders. To immediately hand
 over any complaints. To the Police.
Morris’s statement that they are concerned, that even no
“Emotional Harm” should come to a child. Are just empty
 words, propaganda. They will fool many. But not those
 who are aware, of the methods and motives of this corrupt,
 Godless and materialistic org.
Reply
 
 
 Richard E. Kelly says:

 July 6, 2015 at 3:51 pm
 
Kudos to you, Lloyd. You were definitely in good-fighting form on this post, well armed with the facts on your side. Too bad that cognitive dissonance is alive and well in Watchtower Land, because an article like this should have spawned a mass exodus.
Reply
 
 
 Grace says:

 July 6, 2015 at 4:39 pm
 
Another great article but god it makes my blood boil.
“We are proud of our reputation in this regard.”
Proud of their reputation!! Incase they hadn’t noticed, their reputation is that they hide child molesters & throw victims under the bus to save their deluded reputation.
Also, when a dirty old man rapes a little girl. It just has to be the gays fault. (sarcasm).
These royal hyenas are just clutching at anything. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is an attempt to get their propaganda in before the Australian Royal Commission comes out & airs the dirty laundry that has been soaking in the mire for so long. On the 27th of July, the hearing will be aired to the public. I hope that those that have secretly suffered will come out & speak. My feelings are that they wouldn’t be pursuing it if there wasn’t enough evidence to see a problem that needs addressing.
Reply
 
 
 David says:

 July 6, 2015 at 4:56 pm
 
Tony just follow the usual cult protocol. They can condemn no JWs to death if they do not acknowledge
 the GB as the only channel between God and Mankind (role according to the Bible belonging only to Christ) but feel persecuted to the slightest criticism. But I think this is a win for the “apostate” community. The GB will be forced to change their policies and report pedophiles to authorities. At least we should be happy that children will be more protected. I guess next we have to teach the GB and make people more aware that people should not be ostracised if the choose to leave their denominations just like they want to be free to preach their half truths.
It is also strange that Tony feel persecuted when JW.org shows clear signs of wealth. It displays a new suit on every appearance and the usual “godfather” style pinky ring.
 An appearance radically different then Jesus Christ’s.
Reply
 
 
 Eric says:

 July 6, 2015 at 5:40 pm
 
Thank you so much Cedars for your articles. Having just woken up from JW mind control in October, I still suffer from ptsd and attacks from my cult personality. I find great comfort and encouragement in your articles and videos. The time and well thought out preparation cannot be undersold. What you are doing is a true service and I thank you for it.
Reply
 
 JWIntellect says:

 July 7, 2015 at 3:20 pm
 
Happy to hear you’ve exited!
Reply
 
 
 
 Barb Moor says:

 July 6, 2015 at 6:07 pm
 
Caleb, Sophia! It’s YOUR fault for getting abused; your conscience was too weak! Bad boy! Bad girl!
The new video featuring the animated pair is really sneaky. Yes, kids should run away from predators. BUT, no focus is given on the predators themselves (such as known abusers within the organization). The way it is portrayed on the video, the burden is put on children to prevent abuse, according to their “trained” conscience. It doesn’t illustrate the reality that the parents could be the abusers themselves. It doesn’t show that there are times when it is physically impossible to get away from a predator (Elder Handy in the car group).
And what if the abuser threatens to kill beloved Mommy or Daddy (or baby brother) if Sophia does tell on them? Well, Sophia then has to decide: save them or myself? Sophia loves them so she’ll likely keep quiet, because predators are PROS at manipulation and deceit. This will go on and Sophia will comply with the predator thinking she’s protecting her family. You can picture Sophia in group therapy 15 years later with an addiction to meth to cope with the years of abuse, made worse by listening to talks that will make her think she is guilty for the abuse. All those talks on fornication will make her wonder, was I committing fornication? Why DIDN’T Mommy protect me? Why did Brother Creep give a talk on telling the truth at all times then tell me to lie to my parents?
She will have seen him at assemblies or meetings: maybe even giving a talk about porneia? Poor Sophia: her conscience wasn’t strong enough. She didn’t outwit a cunning adult with years of manipulative skills! And then, why didn’t Jehovah protect her? Was she not worthy of protection, given all the theocratic examples of children who were spared suffering ‘because they listened’? Apparently not, because it happened to her. Sophia will end up depressed, lonely, fearful, and likely lacking in any sort of faith. If she even remains in the organization (she’ll have so little self-worth she may stay in it out of fear), she’ll become one of the “weak” ones looked down upon by the strong because she’s not perky and happy and glowing with the good news. She’ll go downhill, while the way this organization works, the abuser will be promoted.
Ironically, the watchers of this stupid video will likely be praising the organization for its helpfulness and loving concern, ignoring that Elder Handy and Brother Creep are right there in their hall, maybe sitting next to them at meeting. Other elders in the hall may know, but they won’t warn parents. Because the loving organization that has cared SO much for SO long has said not to divulge those little details. You’re on your own, Sophia and Caleb! Good luck with that!
Reply
 
 John says:

 July 8, 2015 at 12:49 am
 
Barb, that’s a fantastic comment.x
Reply
 
 
 Jean says:

 July 11, 2015 at 9:26 am
 
Well said, Barb. The hideous monster in the video is sofar from what actually happens, it makes me wonder why the GB actually believes this is “the truth”. The onus of responsibility is always put fairly and squarely on the shoulders of Joe Publisher, not on those making the policies. Will they ever wake up?
Reply
 
 
 
 Barb Moor says:

 July 6, 2015 at 6:28 pm
 
Boy, does Tony get heated up about homosexuals, doesn’t he? Latent much?
Seriously, he deliberately misleads the definition of a homosexual by implying that a homosexual is a pedophile. Big difference: the homosexuals I know have no interest in little boys or little girls.
It’s a cheap shot on Tony’s part (I feel I can be informal now that we are on a chatty basis via his constant tv appearances). His self-righteousness is disgusting. And really, his lies reinforce the same abusive tactic that predators use: listen to ME and no one else.
These people have no morals. Shame on the lying org, the congregations who hide sexual abusers, the elders who know what abuse has happened and have the benefit of protecting THEIR kids but not everyone else’s. Shame on the parents for trusting this org and letting some out-of-touch corporate shill tell them how to parent and tell them their kids are safe. And shame on Tony Morris for lying to children by acting like he cares.
Reply
 
 
 Thinking of leaving says:

 July 6, 2015 at 10:43 pm
 
Interestingly when I was awakening from my indoctrination and also becoming increasingly aware of the sex abuse problem, I was still an active publisher at the time. I thought that I would put it out there and gauge the reaction I would get from the R&F. Out of the dozen people I tried I couldn’t find one who said “I feel sorry for those victims and I hope they get the help and support they need.” The replies I got were mainly media hype and one even refused to admit the news report was real. The reply that really stands out in my mind is “don’t read overseas news papers because this is going to confuse me”. Yup child abuse can be put down to overseas news papers confusing me. About sums it all up really.
Reply
 
 bobow says:

 July 7, 2015 at 2:26 am
 
I have the same observation. every bro just denied the story, without even reading about it.
Reply
 
 holy Connoli says:

 July 8, 2015 at 6:18 am
 
@bobow: I still have a few JW friends I talk with sometimes or do some business with. When I bring up the Child Abuse issue to them and how rampant it is and the BAD 2 witness rule they seem unaware of how bad it is or they say something like Oh yes, I am gald those guys get DF’d! We have ZERO tolerance for anyone doing that! I point out the WT seems to protect them bc the 2 witness rule is impossible to enforce and they say well the bible does say that! I don’t think the R&F have any Idea how bad it really is.
Reply
 
 
 
 Meredith J says:

 July 10, 2015 at 4:26 am
 
Yes, I left for exactly the same reasons as you. No one cared. I did and so did my husband but all the Witnesses could think of was that we shouldn’t talk to others about such things because it looks bad for Jehovah and it must be from apostates. They could not have cared less about the innocent young lives that had been ruined and that the Society had caused all that misery and cruelty themselves to the victims. You see to the Watchtower Society there are no victims. Unforgivable.
Reply
 
 
 
 Syl says:

 July 7, 2015 at 3:11 am
 
Great analysis and rebuttal Lloyd. What you do is useful. Thanks for the time and effort you invest in this.
Reply
 
 
 chatpal says:

 July 7, 2015 at 4:25 am
 
the thing about the JW’s I know family included, in the U.S, is that they are not aware of any child abuse nor other sorts of crimes as this, they never hear any media coverage on any of these abuse cases. these people work, sleep shop, go to meetings and service and watch kids shows or home improvement shows or netflix or very little tv at all. They would have no idea why he was bringing up that article, orthe subject.I can hear my own mother , if hearing his comments, say” well the society must be preparing for a rise in child abuse issues, they are always ahead of the game” as if there is none and there might be in the near future. she literally thinks they are able to see future trends. its sickening, she finds no fault with these men, yet says that they do not claim to be perfect and ‘we do not worship them’ such mental hypocrisy she displays against herself, for Id be willing to bet my right arm she knows deep down in her heart, something isnt right , after all she often says things that are her own opinion, and does things contrary to what the jw suggestions are, and even gets told about it, [like going up to a door when there is a sign that says beware of dog, and then giving ‘jehovah’ the credit for her not getting bit,lol] but she being 73 has been in this so long it would make not a bit of difference to change now.
Reply
 
 Barb Moor says:

 July 8, 2015 at 7:47 pm
 
Respectfully I disagree. JW’s secretly watch ALL the televisions shows that are “inappropriate” most of the time: they just don’t tell. They aren’t sitting home watching JW.ORG except to be able to SAY that they watch it (likely on fast forward). Most are just as fake as the GB.
And child abuse stories are everywhere, even a commercial for Law and Order SVU makes it pretty clear. They can’t say they didn’t know when every storyline in just about every show or book has child abuse in it.
But I totally get what you are saying: most people know deep down things aren’t adding up, but they are afraid to admit it out loud for the backlash it’d cause.
Reply
 
 
 
 Bart says:

 July 7, 2015 at 9:12 am
 
I will never forget this guy. He’s the one that really changed my perception (lost respect) of the governing body a last year at the annual meeting and his infamous tight pants and spanks talk. But it wasn’t those things in particular that turned me off as much as his overall demeanor and his smug approach to those who aren’t worshiping the way he thinks they should, or who’s parenting efforts were not good enough to keep their children in the truth, etc. I was disgusted by it all, and continue to be. That day, when I saw him speak for the very first time, I thought, ‘How can this possibly be God’s chosen group of men to lead us all?’. I lost a lot of faith in the “faithful and discreet slave” that day, despite the other governing body members’ loving and warm demeanor. The fact that this loony is in the group speaks volumes, and while some JW’s laugh it off or downplay his antics by means of memes on Instagram or what have you, most people are so blind that they think he’s brave for calling things like they are, just like Peter was constantly an outspoken member of Jesus disciples. Since that time, I’ve read Crisis of Conscience and honestly it sent me into a bit of depression, learning things that would shake any Witness’s faith to the core. I literally cried for that man when I realized he died several years ago, and all that he had gone through. It left me feeling alone too, and I still feel like there is no easy way out or in.
Reply
 
 Paul says:

 July 8, 2015 at 2:14 am
 
Bart,
 I felt the same way after reading Crisis of Conscience, but that quickly lead me to reading his second book and that explained a future course that made sense to me. I have not been to a meeting since, and I am determined to forge a new life free from the hypocrisy and falsity of the GB. If you think Morris is weird what the heck is Lett about?
 If Jehovah is choosing these guys the the world is in deep doo doo. My guess is that they are actually the man of lawlessness, the evil slave.
Reply
 
 
 
 Excelsior! says:

 July 7, 2015 at 10:48 am
 
Bart,
Welcome to your freedom, sir! If you are still a person of faith, then take comfort in the teaching that Jesus is always with you.
If you are like me, an atheist, then it’s time to find your own path.
Either way, you are well rid of any association with an organisation with such an appalling record.
I wish you the best of luck, Bart.
Folks, Anthony has given us such an excellent response to the child abuse scandal in the WTBTS! He is proud of their record, and of his involvement and support of it. The latest Caleb and Sophia video is disgraceful. Telling a manipulative sociopathic paedophile to stop will work out fine!!!!!
This second attempt to deflect proper scrutiny of the WTBTS’ child abuse policies and cover ups will be a powerful recruitment sergeant for our cause.
Peace be with you, Excelsior!
I hope that this idiot is called to defend his policies in court some time soon.
Reply
 
 
 Freedom says:

 July 7, 2015 at 7:27 pm
 
Dear Anthony Morris: Homosexuals do not sexually abuse children. Pedophiles sexually abuse children. There is a difference. Perhaps your research department should educate itself. Numerous organizations state the following: 1 out of 5 girls will be sexually abused as a child while 1 out of 20 boys will be sexually abused as a child. It would appear that a girl is at a higher risk – so who is abusing the girls? If we follow your logic that homosexuals abuse little boys, then heterosexuals abuse little girls. Therefore, shame on all heterosexual men. I look forward to your next Awake article condemning “the heterosexuals” for their deviant, disgusting behavior. I also look forward to another one of your broadcasts where you assure all JWs that the organization does everything it can to protect the congregation from “the heterosexuals”.
Reply
 
 
 ES says:

 July 7, 2015 at 8:23 pm
 
Very well written and accurate; thank you Cedars. You’re correct in that Tony is way off on describing WT position in the topic of child abuse. A close family member to me is currently fighting a legal battle over the issue of child sex abuse within the JW org, and my devout parents have acknowledged that the society has handled these child cases quite poorly. I’m curious to know what the thought while watching this episode of JWB.
Reply
 
 
 ruthlee says:

 July 8, 2015 at 1:32 am
 
this mans demeanor disturbs me i try to be objective and hope he has our best interests at heart but ive come to realise all this talk and exposure is just that before there is genuine decisive action these dishonourable men will shoot themselves in the foot meanwhile we look on pained and insulted i hope one day that i can roar with laughter at such feeble nonsense but at the moment things are a little too painful i do beleive GOD will have the final say and it will be heard by everyone there will be no excuses ha ha bring it on
Reply
 
 
 Paul says:

 July 8, 2015 at 2:06 am
 
It is just another example of avoiding the real issues and putting up straw men and knocking them down with old magazines that do not address the issues either. Here are old men who are totally out of touch with reality because they believe their own imaginary world.
 Unfortunately virtually zero active JWs will pay any attention to facts from outside sources, so he can spout rubbish and avoid reality and all the sheep will bleat in total (ignorant) approval. Till an avalanche of bad press engulfs them they will refuse to admit the mountain of evidence.
Reply
 
 
 David says:

 July 8, 2015 at 3:20 am
 
He gives a distorted impression of the matter. The broadcast starts with persecution to prepare the minds of the listeners. Then it just gives a one sided account of the issue. They criticise other religions but for what I can see they have no decency. When something happen to others they are quick to share articles. When jw.org is criticised then the media are of the devil.
Reply
 
 
 anonymous says:

 July 8, 2015 at 5:00 am
 
Tony Morris skipped over the article in the June 22,1982 titled “Rape at Home” which was about incest. This is what one of the paragraphs said, quoting from an outside source and even giving us the page of that outside source:
“On page 129 of the book “The Death of Innocence”, we read: “Among prostitutes, the frequency of sexual molestation in childhood is 92 percent; 67 percent of them experience some form of incestuous assault…At least 75 percent of he runaways, on the national average, are escaping incestuous abuse. The same figures apply to cases of adolescent drug addiction: About 70 percent are victims of incest.””
What is so ironic is that the June 22, 1982 Awake has in the very next article about child abuse an article “To End Child Abuse” and this is what it had to say was the remedy for this abuse:
“They know that bad family conditions cause children to run away from home, and that a high percentage of runaways end up on the streets and in prostitution and pornography and suffer appalling abuse. Some are escaping incest at home, homes broken by divorce, chronic conflicts with parents, lack of loving attention, and some are swayed by their peers. Whatever specific causes, the remedy is the healing of family breakdown. So say the experts. So does the Bible. It calls for close communication between parent and child.”
So, the Society has the first article about incest being the cause of most runaways who turn to prostitution and drugs and are abused by child pornography and the very next article saying that the remedy is better family communication between child and parent and they ignore the fact that the preceding article said that most children are abused by incest first before running away and getting abused. Do these people even read what they write?????
Also, I think the reason Tony Morris skipped the incest article is because he was hoping that most people would not have that old Awake magazine where they could double check what he was saying in that video about the incest article in that June Awake. There is absolutely no advice to help parents or young ones to be protected by pedophiles in those article and there is no advice to report abusers or rapists to the police. It is a useless rag that belongs in the garbage can and not “groundbreaking”.
Another reason Morris skipped the incest article is because what if Sophia’s father was her abuser???? According to the incest article, most children run away from incest and get abused because of incest!!!
Reply
 
 
 Meredith J says:

 July 8, 2015 at 5:23 am
 
This Governing Body member has obviously been informed about the upcoming Royal Commission Into Child Abuse in Australia. The Catholic Church has already been through the ringer for the past year about it as all their dirty washing has been hanging on the line for all to see and now the Witnesses have formally been told that they are next on the chopping block as from July 27th, 2015. I’ll bet he is worried that it will look like they are not trying enough to counteract the problem. It will be so interesting to see the outcome of the commission. They will probably expect to look exonerated but I think they will be shocked at the level of scrutiny.
Reply
 
 
 Brad says:

 July 8, 2015 at 9:06 am
 
I think we are all forgetting something. Think back for a moment to the days when you were a faithful witness who fully backed the organization and believed in these key points (I know, this is difficult to do):
1. Jehovah is the universal sovereign
 2. Jehovah has allowed suffering to continue to prove that he is a loving god and his way is the best way.
 3. There have always been some of Satan’s seed trying to incorporate themselves into Jehovah’s earthly organization and even if they last for a little while, eventually they will be found out and Jehovah will be the judge of them in the end.
 4. The Governing Body cannot ignore bible principles, such as the 2 witness rule.
If you were on the other side of this argument, still a faithful witness, and you presented these 4 points and someone still argued with you, you just throw up your hands and that’s it, there is nothing more you can say or do but leave it in Jehovah’s hands and say how sad it is that some people like touching children.
This information continues to reinforce in us that we made the right decision and we are happy to be no part of this organization, but time and time again, when we have them absolutely dead to rights with a straight flush nuts hand in a game of hold ’em, a witness will still have that cognitive dissonance rear it’s ugly head and make them believe this is an attack by Satan and his minions.
Reply
 
 
 Excelsior! says:

 July 8, 2015 at 10:03 am
 
Lloyd,
Can we find a way to ask Morris just who the “appropriate authorities” are? I believe he is deliberately trying to infer that these “appropriate authorities” are the police, or perhaps child protection services. However, he believes that the “appropriate authorities” are the local body of elders and the Bethel Branch overseeing that country.
Am I wrong in this interpretation? What do you think?
Thank you for an excellent article. Your long term support of victims and precise articles on this dreadful problem are a testament to your good character.
Peace be with you, Excelsior!
Reply
 
 
 M. says:

 July 8, 2015 at 10:03 am
 
10 Anti-Gay Myths Debunkedhttp://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2010/winter/10-myths
 Facts About Homosexuality
 and Child Molestationhttp://psychology.ucdavis.edu/faculty_sites/rainbow/html/facts_molestation.html
Reply
 
 
 sirius says:

 July 8, 2015 at 1:45 pm
 
Just a thought, perhaps starting a thread on the subject of Common Jehovah’s Witnesses Excuses and Habits.Here’s a few to get started…
1.Read the NWT with an open mind
 2.You took the verse out of context
 3.Read the following verse
 4.Read the verse before that one
 5.That KJV is suspicious
 6.You must be progressive to understand the NWT
 7.Must be an error in the translation
 8.What’s your religion?
 9.Jehovah knows your actions before you are born but you have free will
IMHO
dogstar
Reply
 
 
 Finn Sawyer says:

 July 8, 2015 at 9:35 pm
 
Why isn’t the FBI breaking down the door at Bethel? How can Watchtower be allowed a secret database of know pedophiles?
I don’t know why but I expected more damage control. I was hoping to hear they changed their policy about the 2 witness rule for that crime. More than irrelevant references to a 30 year old magazine, lies about an “isolated incident” and a cartoon.
I don’t understand why the secular authorities don’t require the clergy to report child abuse in their congregations. Sure, JWs are shielding pedophiles, but the government allows it and it is the more important problem to attack, IMO.
Very disappointing overall.
Reply
 
 
 Rosie says:

 July 9, 2015 at 4:17 am
 
Lately a politician “sparked controversy when he appeared to link child abuse with homosexual relationships.” Sound familiar?
There was quite an uproar from the public and local media about this.
As a result the politician is currently being questioned by the police and had to step down from his position.
Reply
 
 
 Brent says:

 July 9, 2015 at 1:59 pm
 
Its to bad that all the magazines such as the one that Tony shows are not available. They only go back online too 2000. My folks got rid of there old brown volumes 10 years ago as the GB told them to do. Mostly so that there would be no record of there false prophecies and UN NGO status. Its up to the Governing Body to pick which old light they would want you to know about. As long as the GB can go back and pull old literature out why won’t a member under judicial review do the same?
Tony states that he will not go into the legal back and forth which was and will be the reasons for the lawsuit losses in these child abuse case. The real reason is that they by their system in effect and in truth protected child abusers. They are so misleading, yet the rank and file will agree and look no further into the subject being that to do so would be seen as reading apostate literature.
Reply
 
 Hazel says:

 July 14, 2015 at 3:12 pm
 
Information is provided in the CD disk=W.T. Library2012 English edition. Copies of magazines back to the 1970’s.
Reply
 
 
 
 anonymousish1987 says:

 July 13, 2015 at 8:46 pm
 
The irony of him focusing on homosexuality when from all I’ve read most of the abuse in the Watchtower is heterosexual. Candace Conti was abused by a MAN. So…he can have several seats. This is so disheartening and angers me so much.
Reply
 
 
 MrFair says:

 July 14, 2015 at 3:29 am
 
It seems to me that the Caleb and Sophia video shows a lack of understanding of child sex abuse. Note: I myself am not a professional on the subject but simply would like to make some observations.
It would be helpful if child molesters all looked and sounded like the creepy monsters in the video but the reality is that it could be a grandfather, an elder in the congregation or another trusted friend that isn’t overtly creepy. They are monsters but they usually don’t appear that way, which is how they get close to the children in the first place. I wonder why they didn’t put a nice looking man in a tie, a grandfatherly figure, an aunt, etc. in the cartoon? Maybe too incriminating? Not that children should be made to feel paranoid around everyone but it just seems to me that Watchtower thinks that all molesters are unkempt guys in tank tops, drinking beer and acting creepy in public (like the guy in the public service announcement video). Also, it seems that a child saying “stop! Don’t do that!” will not always chase away a molester. In other instances a child may not even understood what has happened until later in life. Could the video create guilt in victims who didn’t take the prescribed steps? Or who did but were molested despite it? That’s what Watchtower used to do to rape victims who didn’t scream. We all agree it’s very important to protect children but we should look to professionals who have a deeper understanding of how to do it. Sad situation… Just a few thoughts…
Reply
 
 anonymous says:

 July 14, 2015 at 4:55 pm
 
@Mr.Fair, the Watchtower still creates guilt in rape and victims of molestations and they still have to appear before a committee for the committee to determine if the victim actually committed fornication or adultery. That isn’t a thing of the past at all.
Reply
 
 MrFair says:

 July 15, 2015 at 6:22 am
 
Good point. The guilt is still there… It seems that they don’t disfellowship based on the screaming or crying out rule anymore? That’s what I was referring to… I’m always open to correction. As a former elder I can say sincerely that judicial committees regarding anything sexual are very damaging no matter how “loving” the brothers might be.
Reply
 
 anonymous says:

 July 15, 2015 at 7:20 am
 
The way I understand it is that the Society allows for a female being so traumatized by it that they can’t fight back or scream but they have to convince the committee of that.
If a person was molested or raped, they still have to appear before a committee to explain what happened but of course it’s their word against the accused and have to convince the committee that it wasn’t consensual and if not, they face disfellowshipment for fornication.
If the accused was a man in the organization, they get to appear without the female accuser so they can go on and on about how the accuser “led them on” or whatever else they might say and the female has no idea what is being said about her behind her back. I know this is the way it is if it is the husband or father of the female but I don’t know if this holds true if the accused man isn’t the husband or father of the accused.
I personally know of a “sister” whose husband raped her and her husband was only publicly reproved for it. Who knows what he said about her behind her back.
When it comes to the female and she is married or it’s her father that is accused of abusing her, she doesn’t get to defend herself when the elders talk to the man. That is in the Shepard the Flock book.
If the husband beats on his wife or cheats on his wife, he gets to appear before the committee and go on and on about how “terrible” the marriage is etc. and how terrible and neglectful the wife was and how she egged him on (if he beat her) and wouldn’t give him his “due” and who knows what else he gets to say about her to get the sympathy of the elders but if the woman is the accuser and she wants to tell the committee about her abuse, he gets to be there to defend himself and again go on and on about how she “egged” him on or she wasn’t submissive or God knows what else he can say and it’s her word against his.The whole thing is rigged against the female in favor of the male.
It’s ironic that the Bible doesn’t say at Revelation about the 144,000 that tomen didn’t “defile” themselves with men. After all, aren’t some of these 144,000 supposed to be women?
No, the Bible comes right out and says about women that for men to have relations with women, it is “defiling” to them as if to say that women are “unclean”. This is the definition of “defile” in Websters:
“to make unclean or impure: Befoul, Besmirch as a: to corrupt the purity or perfection of: debase >the countryside defiled by billboards> b: to denude of chastity: deflower c: to make physically unclean esp. with something unpleasant or contaminating d: to make ceremonially unclean e: sully, dishonor syn see contaminate”
Just that one scripture alone in Revelation is enough to tell me that in the Bible, women are not respected, no matter how the Watchtower likes to “spin” it and that doesn’t even scratch the surface of how women are treated in the Hebrew Scriptures.
Reply
 
 
 
 
 
 Everyday Explorer says:

 July 14, 2015 at 6:36 am
 
I say to us all, and myself included, to keep heart and keep activist in your own way. The level of exposure re the heinous ‘safeguarding’ policies of the Watchtower is now higher than ever before, gaining more momentum and certainly isn’t going to be stilled. It will become increasingly difficult for good-hearted still-JWs to deny the factual evidence of endemic corruption as the spotlights continue.
I look forward to the Royal Commission Into Child Abuse in Australia beginning on 27 July this year. I look forward to the results of the UK’s Charity Commission investigations into the safeguarding procedures of the Watchtower, which should be relatively soon. I look forward to the Independent Inquiry Into Child Sex Abuse, also UK-based, which has now begun and will last four years.
But I also know how heart-breaking and discouraging it can be when we are faced with family members who we know are good-hearted but who still find themselves defending the Watchtower’s system. But then I remind myself that I can do my activism here (as well as with them, when possible) and that helps so much, even when I don’t post. Thank you again, Lloyd, for creating jwsurvey and thank you to all who post, whether regularly or not, and with such compassion.
Reply
 
 

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← The Book Corner – Combating Cult Mind Control by Steven Hassan
The must-read story of a ministerial servant and his wife who woke up in the last few months →
 
Tony Morris scapegoats gay people in bizarre child abuse denial rant
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Posted on July 6, 2015

Tony Morris has indulged in a bizarre rant in which he denies any organizational problems with child abuse
Tony Morris has indulged in a bizarre rant in which he denies any organizational problems with child abuse

Governing Body member Tony Morris has used the July 2015 episode of JW Broadcasting to indulge in an astonishing rant about child abuse, seemingly in response to the onslaught of negative publicity Watchtower has faced in recent years.
In his nine-minute statement on the matter, Morris shows two video presentations and reads from a 1982 Awake! magazine in attempting to make the case that Watchtower has always been “pro-active” in making the protection of children a “top priority.”
At one point, Morris unleashes an astonishing swipe at gay people in an apparent attempt to scapegoat homosexuals as being the main perpetrators of child abuse. “It [an Awake! article] warned about homosexual men who prey on and advocate the right to use boys for sex. Shame on them!” he says. (See time stamp 02:49 in the video below.)


The 1982 “‘Chickens’ and ‘Hawks'” article to which Morris alludes is a shameless piece of propaganda blaming homosexuals in general for child prostitution rings that flourished in the 80s and 90s, and which society itself has condemned (such as in the 1994 award-winning documentary “Chicken Hawk: Men Who Love Boys“). (See Wikipedia article)
Morris’ exploitation of this isolated controversy to make a sweeping generalization about gay people represents only the latest example of what appears to be a pattern of homophobic bigotry above and beyond even the scathing condemnation of gays and lesbians found in Watchtower publications.
Last year Morris was voted one of 2014’s craziest “right-wing nutjobs” by Advocate magazine for his baffling comments at last year’s United States Branch Visit, at which he warned of a conspiracy whereby homosexuals are designing tight clothing merely to lust after men’s bodies. (See time stamp 03:20 in the video below.)


And only recently, at the 2015 regional convention, Morris made a not-so-thinly-veiled declaration of his disapproval at Ireland’s recent referendum legalizing same-sex marriage.


Clearly Morris has an axe to grind against homosexuals for reasons best known to himself, but that he should mobilize his bigotry against gays in defense of the organization’s outrageous record on mishandling child abuse is bewildering to say the least.
Head in the sand
Homophobic scapegoating aside, Morris’ comments are a fascinating example of the organization’s “head in the sand” approach in the face of mounting media scrutiny of Watchtower’s child abuse track record.
This strategy was most recently deployed by Stephen Lett, who used a recorded “morning worship” speech to claim that media attention on the issue was nothing but “apostate-driven lies and dishonesties.”
As much as activists like myself desperately wish there to be no problem in this area, and as much as we yearn for JW children to be protected, various facts are well-documented and glaringly obvious, namely:
◾Watchtower has been found legally responsible for its mishandling of child abuse in courts of law on several occasions in two different countries (see articles on Candace Conti, Jose Lopez and the latest UK high court judgment), in some cases being ordered to pay multimillion dollar damages for their negligence
◾Watchtower gathers and holds information concerning an unknown number of pedophiles, thought to number into the thousands, on a database. Watchtower admitted the existence of the database in a 2002 fax to the BBC, and it lost the Jose Lopez case in part because it refused to divulge the contents of the database in that particular trial. (See this Huffington Post interview video.)
◾Watchtower publications do not urge parents to report allegations of child abuse to authorities in all instances
◾Watchtower elders have been criticized for covering up instances of child abuse from the authorities, as in the cases of Mark Sewell, Jonathan Rose and Gordon Leighton
◾Watchtower instructions to elders in the 2010 Shepherd the Flock of God book and subsequent instructional letters uphold the “two witness rule,” whereby if there is no witness to an allegation of child molestation (or no allegation from a second victim is forthcoming) elders are to “leave matters in Jehovah’s hands,” as the following scan clearly shows
◾Watchtower instructions to elders also maintain the position that the branch office, not the police, should be the first to hear of a report of abuse, and that past child molestation does not necessarily bar someone from serving as an elder in the congregation
child-sex-abuseNone of the above pressing issues are addressed or even alluded to in Morris’ nine-minute statement. Instead he heaps praise on the organization for taking “a decisive stand,” for being “pro-active,” and for making the safeguarding of children a “top priority.”
A reputation to be proud of?
Morris even summons the gall to claim: “We are proud of our reputation in this regard.” Irrespective of what Morris or other Governing Body members may think of their handling of child abuse, if there is one thing beyond dispute in this area, it is that Watchtower’s reputation is not one to be proud of.
One possible strategy Morris might have employed if he had an ounce of humility would be to throw his hands up and admit that, like other organizations, Watchtower was simply caught off guard at a time when the threat posed by child abuse wasn’t fully understood.
Instead, Morris adopts the reverse approach by suggesting the organization was always ahead of the game while secular authorities were floundering and “somewhat naive” as to the magnitude of the problem.
As an example of Watchtower’s foresight he parades the “landmark” 1982 Awake! magazine as highlighting the scourge of child abuse over thirty years ago. But it should go without saying that it is one thing to highlight child abuse as a problem, but another thing entirely to offer effective advice.
For example, the article in that magazine titled “To End Child Abuse” gives the following advice, few aspects of which can be considered especially relevant…
◾“[The bible] calls for close communication between parent and child”
◾“[Psychologists] say parents must be fair and set good examples, but children need regulations and discipline”
◾Sex education promotes masturbation and homosexuality. “Regardless of the pros and cons of sex education, the hard fact is the tremendous increase in child prostitution, sodomy, pornography and incest.”
◾“In God’s due time all who embrace his kingdom under Christ will become able to keep this law of love perfectly… This is the only way, the final way, to end child abuse.”
Watchtower’s 1982 guidance on protecting children from predators thus called for (1) better communication between parents and children, (2) strong parental discipline, (3) less sex education and (4) God’s kingdom. This advice, claims Morris, “straightforwardly addressed” the issue and, combined with subsequent magazine articles can be considered as exonerating Watchtower.
What Morris doesn’t mention is that not one of the magazine articles on child abuse published over the last few decades specifically tell Witness parents to go to the authorities with any and all allegations of abuse, which is surely the first priority in the wake of a crime of such magnitude being perpetrated. One 1993 Awake! article even goes so far as to suggest that, in certain cases, “the legal system may offer little hope of successful prosecution.” (Awake! 1993 10/8 page 9)
Morris attempts to throw up a smokescreen early in his presentation by asserting: “Our policy as an organization is that one professing to be a victim, or his parents, should never be discouraged from reporting the incident to the appropriate authorities.” But this is nothing more than a play on words, and a deliberate attempt to deceive.
It is one thing to tell children to resist predators, it is another thing entirely to deal properly with the aftermath
It is one thing to tell children to resist predators, it is another thing entirely to deal properly with the aftermath of an attack

True, Watchtower doesn’t expressly dissuade parents from going to the authorities, but it doesn’t persuade them either. Morris thus overtly relies on the ignorance of his audience regarding the nuances of Watchtower’s policies in an attempt to dupe them into thinking reporting is encouraged, even though the organization has yet to issue such instructions to elders despite repeated courtroom defeats.
At best, Watchtower literature over the decades has taught children to be able to identify predators and report such ones to their parents – the most recent example of which is the Caleb and Sophia cartoon presented by Morris in this video.
But teaching children to resist predators is only a fraction of any meaningful, effective child-safeguarding policy. The whole reason why child abuse is so evil is precisely because, for obvious reasons, children will always be vulnerable in the face of any sufficiently determined and opportunistic predatory pedophile, irrespective of how much resistance they put up.
Any child safeguarding policy worth its salt must thus adequately address what to do in the aftermath of an attack so that pedophiles are swiftly apprehended, and this is precisely where Watchtower falls woefully short. Parents are not told to go straight to the authorities by elders in every instance, they are merely informed that this is their “responsibility.”
Throw into the mix the perception that child abuse is a sin that the elders have a remit to investigate, the importance of “waiting on Jehovah,” the stigmatization of taking your “brother” to court, and fears surrounding slander and false accusations, and the likelihood of the police being left out of the loop entirely becomes all too apparent.
Worse than you think
I recently found myself in a phone conversation with a BBC journalist regarding Watchtower’s mishandling of child abuse. I expressed to her my frustration at the perception among Witnesses and Watchtower apologists that so-called “apostates” like myself are exaggerating the problem of child abuse.
I told her that, if anything my colleagues and I are understating the magnitude of the problem, because some of the horrendous stories we hear about privately simply cannot be publicized for various reasons.
She replied: “Welcome to the world of journalism.” This, apparently, is the challenge all journalists face in covering important stories where the full grisly horror of what is happening simply cannot be revealed for a myriad of issues including privacy, court orders and so on.
Tony Morris and the Governing Body may desperately want there to be no problem regarding child abuse, but as the saying goes, there is no smoke without fire. When you add up the relentless stream of child abuse reports in the press, including several clear instances where Watchtower has been found guilty and ordered to pay eye-watering sums in compensation, it is clear that, far from being ahead of the game, the organization is ablaze with this problem.
And documented evidence in the organization’s own instructions to elders leaves the Governing Body red-handed in not taking child abuse seriously enough by considering it a sin first, and a crime second.
For all his bluster, boasting and outrageous gay-bashing, the frustration and desperation of Tony Morris and his fellow Governing Body members is becoming painfully obvious.
Putting their hands over their ears and saying “la, la, la” in the face of serious accusations of child safeguarding negligence may work for them personally, but this juvenile charade only adds to their culpability as court after court finds Watchtower negligent. And growing numbers of Jehovah’s Witnesses are seeing straight through it.
 
new-cedars-signature3
 
 
 
 
 
 
Further reading…
◾Rawstory: Jehovah’s Witness leader promotes child safety cartoon with homophobic rant
◾Freethinker: JW chief targets gays in child abuse video
◾Pink News: Jehovah’s Witness Leader, “homosexuals” are child abusers
◾Taze.co: Jehovah’s Witnesses link Homosexuality to Child Abuse in official Broadcast, like it’s 1979
◾JWvictims: The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses Blame Homosexuals for the Pedophilia in Their Religion
◾Stephen Lett slams “apostate-driven lies and dishonesties” concerning child abuse record
◾After his branch visit performance, is “Tight Pants Tony” now a liability for the Governing Body?
◾“We will decide who is a predator!” – New Watchtower Instructions to Elders on Child Abuse
◾JWsurvey articles on child abuse
A full video rebuttal of the JW Broadcasting episode in question is forthcoming, and will be embedded at the foot of this article when complete.


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64 Responses to Tony Morris scapegoats gay people in bizarre child abuse denial rant

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 jon says:

 July 14, 2015 at 8:36 am
 
Hi Lloyd,
Another well written piece. I would like to know what you, or others on this commenting board, think of the potential impact of the media coverage of the child abuse scandal on the rank and file. Do you think that the ongoing uncovering of child abuse scandals that are gaining momentum right now (e.g. BBC and Savile, Rotherham/Oxford grooming gangs, historical MP abuse network) will dilute the coverage of the JW child abuse scandal? Or do you think this will amplify the awareness of the general public and the rank and file?
All the best,
 Jon
Reply
 
 
 Cherie says:

 July 23, 2015 at 8:02 am
 
Lloyd, I am so glad you are Tony’s “No. 1 troll.” Stay on him. There is no way this organization has divine direction with a raving lunatic homophobe like this as a leader.
Reply
 
 
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start-thinking
 In June 2012, a jury in Oakland, California ordered Watchtower to pay $28 million for its role in the abuse of Candace Conti.*
In October 2014, a San Diego Superior Court judge ordered Watchtower to pay $13.5 million in punitive and compensatory damages for the abuse of Jose Lopez.
In June 2015, Watchtower was ordered to pay £275,000 to a victim of child abuse by the High Court in London.
*The amount and judgment were later reduced on appeal, with Watchtower still being required to pay $2.8 million in compensatory damages.
These are not isolated instances. They are not just the work of one or two rogue individuals. They are not persecution by Satan or the product of unjustified attacks by opposers. They are the result of specific, documented instructions issued to congregation elders by Watchtower on how child abuse should be handled.
This is a systemic problem, and sadly it will not be going away any time soon.





The reason why Candace Conti, Jose Lopez, and countless other children of Jehovah’s Witnesses have been let down is because the Governing Body views child sex abuse as a sin first-and-foremost, and only a crime by coincidence.
The “two witness rule,” according to which elders still operate today, means that they are to “leave matters in Jehovah’s hands” if an independent witness to an act of child molestation is not forthcoming. (see page 72 of the elders’ Shepherd manual, below)
child-sex-abuseWhen critics of Jehovah’s Witnesses talk about the organization “protecting” pedophiles, they do not mean that the organization’s literature condones or encourages child molestation. They are referring to the fact that Watchtower policies effectively conceal pedophiles and make it easier for them to operate due to the culture of secrecy and confidentiality that Watchtower insists upon.
In the following video, investigative reporter Trey Bundy explains some of the disturbing lengths Watchtower has gone to in order to keep the identity of child molesters secret.


All of this means that you have no way of knowing whether someone in your congregation is a child molester or not, because the Governing Body is more interested in protecting the reputation of the organization than protecting ordinary children.
All they need to do to change things, and safeguard against more child abuse cases in the future, is write a letter to elders telling them to report ALL accusations of child abuse to the authorities – but the Governing Body absolutely refuses to do this.
If you are a Jehovah’s Witness reading this, you need to ask yourself: How can this be Jehovah’s Organization if it continues to put children at risk despite these adverse court judgments? If Jehovah’s clean organization truly abhors child abuse and considers it a crime, why can’t it allow all accusations of child abuse to be reported in the same way as other crimes (such as theft and murder) are to be reported?
The makers of this web page urge you to consider waking up to the possibility that only by confronting these issues and saying “enough is enough” can we bring about change and safeguard children of Jehovah’s Witnesses from those who would do them unspeakable harm.
We invite you to start doing research using some of the online resources listed below. And please don’t be afraid! Remember that if a God of love and truth really exists, he would never resent someone for trying to uncover the facts.
JWfacts.com
JWsurvey.org
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PDF of Crisis of Conscience
 
19 Responses to JWawake.com

 Grace says:

 April 8, 2015 at 9:02 pm
 
Great piece, well presented & simple to read.
 I’m looking forward to more articles.
Reply
 
 
 Patrick Haeck says:

 April 9, 2015 at 3:03 am
 
Great job! Thanks!
Reply
 
 
 Girma Terefe says:

 April 9, 2015 at 3:49 am
 
who will responsible child abuse elders abuser who if hé déniés because thé elders do not have investigation knowledge.
Reply
 
 
 Alex says:

 April 13, 2015 at 1:21 pm
 
Need to translate it to several main languages. All people should know truth about JW.
Reply
 
 
 Elder Johnson says:

 July 16, 2015 at 9:19 am
 
I’m so glad to see this. It has made me realize the truth about the truth.
Reply
 
 
 pj wilcox says:

 July 16, 2015 at 2:32 pm
 
These bastards should be all sent to jail. There they will be confronted by men who will take care of what should be done to them. Prisons do not take lightly, men that molest kids sexually. We should have this on pay per view, make Budweiser a sponsor and give the monies raised to the victims. Hell, I would pay $50 for this.
 Or castrate all that have been found guilty.
Reply
 
 
 Former Pioneer says:

 July 17, 2015 at 10:44 am
 
Thank you! This is a great resource and kudos to everyone who helped on the billboard in Texas.
Reply
 
 
 Hilani Morales says:

 July 17, 2015 at 3:29 pm
 
I was molested for years by a Jehovah’s Witness named Carlos Buten in a Boston Ma Kingdom Hall. Myself and the other victim (who is 2 years younger than I) were interrogated by a room full of men and were asked if our intentions were to hurt him or cause trouble. They then asked us to get into painful details about the sexual abuse. After it was over we were given clear instructions not to contact authorities or tell other members in the congregation about the abuse in order to safeguard brother Buten’s confidentiality. He remained an active member in the congregation and continued to play with other children in the church. I was eventually placed in foster care because of my parents’ neglect to protect me against my molester and for my father’s physical abuse. As for my father’s relentless beatings, I was instructed to pray to Jehovah and everything would be ok. Sometimes my father even beat me during Kingdom Hall reunions in the back room. To this day I experience ptsd from all of the abuse I experienced as a child under the leadership of Jehovah.
Reply
 
 
 Ray franz says:

 July 18, 2015 at 9:12 pm
 
I hope they go on to research rand cam, the military company the Watchtower owned, you can check it in the U.S. GOV SEC files to prove it. I hope they research the UK guardian newspaper article on the Watchtower agreeing to support the U.N for over a decade. I hope they research the recent governing body member that left having seen how it was run at Brookly Bethel, writing a vital book to read as a JW called “Crisis of Conscience”… I hope the fear they feel at even THINKING about doing any of this research, gives them s clue that there is something wrong with their beliefs……. Snare x
Reply
 
 
 M. says:

 July 20, 2015 at 3:45 pm
 
Thanks!
Reply
 
 
 Average Joe says:

 July 21, 2015 at 9:15 am
 
Child Abuse really is inexcusable as is a cover-up of such abuse.
 However, I would like to add my thoughts to the discussion at hand. As an active elder (and I also consider myself a pretty decent human being) I can assure you that if I ever came across a case of child abuse or domestic violence, then I would certainly not keep quiet about it. I would urge the innocent individuals to go straight to the police with my full support.
 As for a case where a know child abuser is in a congregation, I again would make sure everyone knew about it, even though that would be anonymously so as to avoid any lawsuits. It doesn’t matter what the WT Official Policy is on the subject; I know what the right thing is to do.
 Now, I can’t be the only JW that thinks like that. There are corrupt and perverted individuals in any organisation but I’m not one of them and I would do my part to expose any I came across. Hopefully, I will never have to be in that situation as the very idea of being faced with a child abuser is repulsive to me.
 On the other hand, I am pleased for the victims in the aforementioned cases that they are finally getting justice, despite the cover-ups from their corrupt supposed shepherds or elders. I just hope that they manage to find peace as well as happiness after such an ordeal.
 In reply to PJ Wilcox: Castrate them? Seriously? I’d reserve that for rapists. Child abusers should have the death penalty in my humble opinion.
Reply
 
 Rick Dudd says:

 July 22, 2015 at 12:57 pm
 
Good on you! It was issues like this and others that caused me to yield to my conscience and relinquish all of my privileges. You have to do what lets you sleep at night, but I can appreciate that you recognize where the policy is in the wrong.
Reply
 
 
 Jorge Sanchez says:

 July 23, 2015 at 6:41 am
 
Los audios , el sonido “no se escuchan bien.
Reply
 
 
 
 lilianne says:

 July 21, 2015 at 7:30 pm
 
Great initiative!
 Hope the next billboard will be in an area of high population density.
 Really like the billboard.
 Let’s put it to good use and make it more visible !
Reply
 
 
 Real says:

 July 22, 2015 at 2:02 pm
 
The latest stand of JWs is to report all cases of child abuse directly to the authorities. You should really stay up to date with the latest developments if you intend on hounding the JWs on this issue.
Reply
 
 Cedars says:

 July 22, 2015 at 2:07 pm
 
Nice try, but you’re not correct. You’re quoting from your dear leader, Tony Morris, who said in the July 2015 JW Broadcasting episode that parents are never dissuaded from reporting child abuse to the authorities. That is a LONG way from the Governing Body instructing elders to report all accusations of child abuse straight to the authorities, which they could easily do in a single letter if they wanted. The latest elder instructions were in the October 1st, 2012 letter to elders, which kept the two witness rule and branch jurisdiction firmly in place. Please do your research. Tony Morris may be a Governing Body member but he is not to be relied upon to say sensible things about clothing, let alone give you the organization’s position on child abuse.
Reply
 
 JWpoo says:

 July 23, 2015 at 7:39 am
 
Go on cedars son!!!
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Timothy Riches says:

 July 23, 2015 at 10:39 am
 
Current Jehovah’s Witnesses should ask themselves how much more reproach has been brought upon the organization by the leadership’s way of handling of child sex abuse and their maintenance of policies that exacerbate the problem. No one argues that the Watchtower wants children of it’s members to be abused, but the shielding of perpetrators and the infamous ‘two-witness rule’ encourage child sexual abusers in the congregations. Members are encouraged to never bring reproach upon the organization, which makes reporting of such horrible, life-altering crimes extremely difficult. The Jehovah’s Witness organization has become a ‘pedophile’s paradise’. What are the chances that Jehovah looks on it with approval?
Reply
 
 
 Paul says:

 July 23, 2015 at 1:45 pm
 
I agree with Cedars, the current policy is not one of reporting it to authorities.
 Check the elders book “Shepherd the Flock” and latest letters and the clear intent is to minimize damage to the good name of the congregation and keep things quiet. The rights of the victim are not paramount and never have been.
 The system including the 2 witness rule is blatantly wrong & un-workable to any thinking person. Since when do child molesters commit their crimes in front of any witnesses? Their cowardly advances to young vulnerable children are done in secret with strong pressure on the child to keep it secret. Hardly likely to be a witness to it except the victim!
Reply
 
 
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 KtotheRAD "Konrad" says:

 August 25, 2013 at 6:55 pm
 
With every word they reveal and “impart” far more than they ever intended…
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 george says:

 August 27, 2013 at 4:45 am
 
Sorry Cedars, I can only access the first video on my I pad. There are a lot of over sized play icons and they won’t work.
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 Luke says:

 October 27, 2013 at 5:27 pm
 
Continue the good work on this site that expose what Watchtower Organization really are — a fanatic end-time driven cult that only serve interests of its leaders. I left this
 cult three years ago for good. My only regret is that I had not left the Watchtower Cult earlier! On Easter Sunday this year, I was baptized in the Name of the Father, Son, Holy Spirit and received into Eastern Orthodox Church, apostolic Church that preserved the Faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.
Cedar, you have my blessings of your work on this site that
 will yet help millions of JWs to see the truth of so-called ‘Truth’.
Reply
 
 
 Fred says:

 November 2, 2013 at 12:09 pm
 
Forget taking your numbers from a 1974 yearbook if you question the amount of those killed, interned, etc get the numbers from the Holocaust museum. You forgot to mention the ‘JEWS’ were and its quoted several times in the Watchtower publications as it is related in the bible, “ONCE GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE” but they did not remain that because of their actions. Your quotes from WT publications are based on the latter that they fell out of favour in God’s eyes. They therefor were NOT written in an anti-Semitic nature. Many Jews have become JW’s over the years are they lesser beings because they were of Jewish blood?…ABSOLUTELY NOT! All races are equal so this video in my opinion is twisted in its presentation. Not to mention the ridiculous claim of Rutherford’s so called love letter to Adolf Hitler. No blinders on here, I have checked the facts. Sorry but this video paints an untruthful twist of events and statements about the WT as regards the comments on the Nazi’s and Jews.
Reply
 
 
 Palma says:

 February 28, 2014 at 3:48 am
 
Hi everybody! Hi cedars!
 I found this article about a discovery in egypt that brings light to the origin of story of joseph in the bible.
 What do you think?http://www.davidovits.info/the-lost-fresco-and-the-bible-my-new-book-in-french/
Reply
 
 
 Idris says:

 March 27, 2014 at 8:12 am
 
Thank you for this page, it has been a great help to me, as I seek the truth of the word of God, however I noticed in the video ‘Does the Bible speak of ‘Paradise Earth’ the speaker quotes Luke 21v43 twice, regarding Jesus word on the cross, there should be a correction note as the verse he mentions is in Luke 23 v 43.
 Keep up the good work
Reply
 
 
 Julia Orwell says:

 July 17, 2014 at 3:47 am
 
Been to internationals before and this elaborate souvenir thing is entirely new. The last one I went to in 2009, the last ones they had, had nothing like this so it’s not a matter of you having not noticed it in the past, it’s a matter of it being a new phenomenon.
 I theorize that the wt motives for this involve keeping the masses busy and therefore obedient. Jws would volunteer to do this because there are no other legitimate outlets for creative expression. Armageddon being near has nothing to do with it: it’s about keeping the sheeple busy and happy. Making stupid trinkets is also a team building activity as it involves jws working together, thus reinforcing the herd mentality jws have.
Reply
 
 
 frankie fernandez says:

 February 27, 2015 at 4:44 pm
 
dear friends I was baptized in 1974. Thank God I am no longer a member of the WT. Free at last and oh what a relief it is. A member of my former congregation who I considerd my best friend molested a minor. There was a big argument amognst the elders on the judicial committee. One elder who was a maverick, wanted to notify the police. But, instead they followed the instuctions of the society. They kept this crime against the child, hush hush. So as not to tarnish the name of Jehovah. But in reality it was a coverup to protect the wt’s reputation. Meanwhile this poor child that was raped has to carry the heavy burden of a victim for the rest of thier lives without compensation and without justice. While the abuser has remaind a member in good standing. The congregation he is attending now has not been notified that he is a sexual preditor.
Reply
 
 
 Kirtley W. Burggraf says:

 March 11, 2015 at 11:16 am
 
Tell me, since governing body members are elected (replacing someone who dies) at what point do do they become “divinely inspired” or “spirit guided”? Were they always thus in the lower ranks or does this just “happen” the moment that they are appointed? What’s Watchtower’s take on this?
Reply
 
 
 Alone in MD says:

 March 31, 2015 at 6:00 pm
 
Regards your video on the Memorial Service. I am one of those “non believers” married to a baptized witness. I go to just keep the peace but I’ve made it known that I consider this service one of the worst religious ceremonies that I have ever been to. “Anointed What”. Also it was announced at last years meeting that “this may be the last memorial service”. They are at it again. Thanks for the great videos.
Reply
 
 
 frankie fernandez says:

 May 10, 2015 at 9:50 pm
 
IF CHRIST WAS ENTHRONGED IN 1914, WHY ARE THE WITNESES STILL CELEBRATING THE MEMORIAL? CHRIST SAID THAT AFTER HIS ARRIVAL NO ONE WAS TO CELEBRATE THE MEMORIAL .ALSO HE SAID THAT THE DAY OF HIS PRESENSE, IT WILL BE LIKE LIGHTNING FROM ONE POINT OF THE EARTH TO ANOTHER. LIGHTNING TRAVELS AT THE SPEED OF 3500 MILES PER SECOUND. SO IT WILL TRAVEL AROUND THE GLOBE IN LESS THAN A MINUTE. HE ALSO SAID THAT ALL EYES WILL SEE HIM. NOT LIKE THE WTS THAT SAYS WE ARE IN HIS INVISIBLE PRESENSE.
Reply
 
 
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