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← The Friday Column: No Girls Allowed – Growing up as a Female Jehovah’s Witness
News Bulletin: Watchtower tightens shunning rules to include “sinful” inactive ones.
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Posted on May 28, 2016
Screenshot 2016-05-28 23.25.32
Camera footage taken by Alex Silva at the Jersey City Regional Convention.
Rumours have been flying about in recent weeks that Watchtower might be changing its shunning policy for the worse at the 2016 Regional Conventions entitled “Remain Loyal to Jehovah.”
We at JW Survey had been aware of these rumours, and had received credible information from reliable sources that seemed to confirm that these rumours were indeed true.
However, since we knew that speculation without absolute proof on this issue might cause unnecessary distress, we decided to wait until absolute concrete proof emerged of this change before reporting it.
Thanks to a member of the Ex-Jehovah’s Witness community, Alex Silva, who bravely attended the Jersey City convention in the US and recorded severa key talks from the program, we now have recorded confirmation that the information we were given was true.
The talk “Shun Unrepentant Wrongdoers, to be given at the 2016 convention as part of the symposium “Loyaly Uphold Jehovah’s Judgements” will apparently expand Watchtower’s shunning policy to include the following scenario:
◾If you are currently considered “inactive,” and are known to have committed a “serious sin,” Watchtowers official position apparently is now that you must be shunned without the requirement to wait for a Judicial Committee.
This will include everyday “sins” such as:
◾Moving in with an unmarried partner
◾Smoking
◾Celebrating Christmas
◾Premarital sex
◾Same sex marriage
◾Criticising the Governing Body
◾Denying Watchtower teachings
◾Celebrating Birthdays
Essentially, any action that would result in a baptised Jehovah’s Witness being disfellowshipped will now result in an inactive one being shunned without the requirement for Judicial Committee action.
This will come as deeply upsetting news for the many inactive ones who have “faded;” the term often used for those who, by a mixture of good fortune and careful planning, have managed to leave the Watchtower religion without sanction from a Judicial Committee, and thus avoided the penalty of shunning. Many such ones still have contact with their Jehovah’s Witness families; contact that now may be cut off if their families consider this person to be “sinning” in the way prescribed by the Governing Body.
It is hard to see this new command as anything less that a deliberate attempt from Watchtower’s leadership to target such “faders” and drag them back under the Governing Body’s control via a policy that amounts to nothing less than pure emotional blackmail:
“Do as we tell you or you will never see your love ones again.”
We are preparing an article to analyse this apparent expansion to Watchtower’s controversial shunning laws in more detail.
We are also preparing an entire series of articles to deal with the various controversial stories that are emerging from this 2016 Regional Convention. Those who have been following this convention will know that this change to the shunning policy is just one of many astonishing and disturbing aspects of the program.
If you are “inactive,” or “faded”, and are concerned that your ties to your family may now be severed, we at JW Survey feel deeply for you. Many of our team are in this position as well.
I am one of them.
I am hopeful that my family will chose to continue association with me, despite the condemnation of my lifestyle by the Governing Body as “serious sin.” But if they do not, I refuse to allow Watchtower’s Governing Body to use my family as leverage to rule my life.
I do not negotiate with hostage takers.
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← The Friday Column: No Girls Allowed – Growing up as a Female Jehovah’s Witness
227 Responses to News Bulletin: Watchtower tightens shunning rules to include “sinful” inactive ones.
Newer Comments →
Garrett says:
May 28, 2016 at 4:00 pm
The GB remind me of the despots in Syria, Libya, Yemen and elsewhere. The more they loose control the tighter they squeeze . The tighter they squeeze, the more they lose control… Etc etc… Repeat repeat until you have civil war.
I smell April 1945 Berlin…. They are crumbling and they know it.
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Jill Hileman says:
May 28, 2016 at 5:09 pm
well said
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Paul Brinkman says:
May 29, 2016 at 1:52 am
YES , so it is. When i was in the former DDR(1989) the same situation, however the SED leaders lost all energy because of the policy of Gorbatshov. The GB hostage 8 million people and we have the duty to bring them down.
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Winston Smith says:
May 29, 2016 at 12:30 pm
I concur with the sentiments expressed in this chain. As a fader, I have kept relatively quiet and remained anonymous in posting my opinions about Watchtower. However, if my family decides to follow this horrible mandate from their Watchtower Overlords, then there is no further reason for me to remain anonymous or keep quiet. With many faders in this same position, the Watchtower may have made the mistake of waking a “sleeping giant.”
WS
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Grace says:
May 29, 2016 at 2:42 pm
WS,
I’m waiting for my hearing from the ARC which has been pushed back to December. Because of the vast number of victims that have come forward, they have had to put a closing date.
After that, I’m going to formally introduce myself. For anyone that has known my story from a while back, I was meant to be heard this month.
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Winston Smith says:
May 30, 2016 at 4:18 pm
Grace,
It sounds wonderful to be able to come out of the shadows like that. It’s like breaking the last link in the chains of JW bondage. It may be some time before I am able to do so. But with this new policy, maybe it will be sooner than I think.
WS
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Kidneykid says:
May 28, 2016 at 4:21 pm
This is a big mistake. Like me, a lot of people quietly faded out of the JW cult and live in relative peace with “in” members. If they suddenly start shunning us, there’s no reason for us to quietly sit on the sidelines anymore.
IMO, I might as well become a vocal, classically evil apostate if they’re going to treat me like crap anyway. The WTS is doing a preemptive strike; a lot of us faders are going to retaliate massively.
They think they’ve got lots of problems now, just wait until a massive number of former insiders start going public with the dirt they have on the JW cult. This is going to have unintended consequences that might be their undoing. A sh$$storm of unbelievable magnitude is about to fall on their heads!
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Imgonaburn says:
May 28, 2016 at 4:36 pm
That’s exactly how I feel. If I get dfd then I won’t be able to see my first grandchild due in October. It’s a horrible, vile, cruelly controlling cult. I can see more law suits heading in their direction. They are tearing families apart and should be held accountable!
Hopefully it may even cause our family ‘in’ members to rebel and fall away too.
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JCrawford says:
May 28, 2016 at 8:27 pm
“In” family might learn to be more discreet with their rebellion. Dinners or affairs with non-family JW members might get faded ones asked to stay away. Or, family affairs exclude non-family JW members.
Either way, it’s still divisive and ridiculous.
If I have to respect the religious beliefs (or differences of beliefs) as a JW when trolling door-to-door, and I respect the beliefs of my current “in” family members, why can’t I get the respect that I’m entitled to–to treat me like they would treat any stranger on the street?
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Garrett says:
May 29, 2016 at 7:33 pm
Exactly! ….and retaliate you should !!!
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William Draper says:
May 28, 2016 at 4:42 pm
MARK 7: 11
If one has family members that are Jws , it would be good to write this out by hand , and give to such family member, I have this noted on my sign which I stand outside of the church holding , along with about 25 other scriptures which show some of the error in the ways of this ORG which will disown their obligations toward family members , in their worship of the WatchTower . When the scripture says one must disown their family members , such is subjective and relative , having a purposeful meaning but not to be used as the ORG uses it , It is also said that one must eat the flesh of a man and drink a man’s blood to have life , a very difficult scripture to truly understand . Many have a SERIOUS problem of letting the ORG make a determination for them which scriptures to emphasize , and take more literally than others, rather than really studying all of them , and not choosing to have favorites .
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Imgonaburn says:
May 28, 2016 at 5:11 pm
Are they going to include another question at baptism to include …”do you promise to shun ANY family that leaves the organisation?”…
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D.S. says:
May 28, 2016 at 9:32 pm
I was thinking the same thing!!!
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JBob says:
May 29, 2016 at 2:52 pm
Mark–didn’t the new “rusty blade” version leave some of Mark out? I think that would cast doubt on the whole Gospel of Mark.
Note: the Gospel of Mark generally is viewed as the first of the major gospels to have been written with Matthew and Luke being derivatives, so this would put everything “in play” since we already know that Pauline epistles are outlining a gospel (with some Mithra, or Hellenic, influences) that was foreign to the mostly Hebrew “body of elders” from Antioch and Jerusalem.
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Jill Hileman says:
May 28, 2016 at 5:07 pm
Covert Fade, great article as usual. One thing I’d like to suggest is reconsider the use of the word lifestyle. We all know how the JW’s batter that word, as if to sneer it into a condemnation of a person’s worth and value.
It’s actually simply living your own life. I wouldn’t want you, or anyone, to read it and feel some quiet, undefined shame for your autonomy. My $.02.
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ruthlee says:
May 28, 2016 at 5:11 pm
Satan’s time is short so the demons are on double shift, with no pay, to break up the Divine institution of family. Every family will be subject to this rule or ruin policy. They really have deviated from the Highway of Holiness to the Highway to Hell. Shame and degradation , they seem to be spewing hate in an unashamed fashion and that is not Christian. These are interesting times and we are on a really bumpy ride. One of the points mentioned is critism of the governing body. Well I believe I am going before a higher Judge than feeble men and If I do not champion the Truth as I see it then that Higher power will hold me accountable. So I’d rather stay in His good books and be struck from their self appointed account of injury. This new fascism is very dark and threatening.A new darkness is descending and when it has it’s finality they will not see one foot in front of the other. I hope they get their go bag paradise where they can pick and fight to eternity without us to bother their conscience.When they have done murdering our characters and finished downgrading our worth as humans I am sure they will not be a happy bunch .There is no joy in attempting to play God, many have tried and it has never been successful. I hope someone has the clout and authority to truly and faithfully expose this disfellowshipping offense. I live in hope, but this dark cloud on the horizon leaves me uneasy. We are at war. Ruthlee
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JBob says:
May 28, 2016 at 11:35 pm
This presumes that Christianity had bringing families together as a foundation.
Micah 7:5-7
Matthew 10:35-38
Luke 12:51-53
The Watchtower has never held families in high regard–especially, the bringing forth of children. One look at the “What is True Love?” video underscores how the ideal Witness woman needs a mate, but certainly foregoes children and the “normalcy” of married living. It is interesting this aforementioned video only approaches the topic from a female point of view; male primitive needs are not brought into discussion. They base their existence and growth on recruitment not propagating the species.
“Selling God”https://youtu.be/KbZjoA9WrvM
The God Who Wasn’t There
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KAMIL LEVI PYKA says:
May 28, 2016 at 5:23 pm
As Follower of Yeshua Jesus this is far away what Catholic and Gnostic Gospels tells us.
We suppose to love our neighbors and not judge them. We are all sinners.
Their behavior reminds me insanity of Rutherford and this will cause many court cases. This is so damaging psychologically, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually indeed.
We are happy we do not have to deal with this blasphemous sect anymore. Shabat Shalom.
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Brooke says:
May 28, 2016 at 5:29 pm
Not looking forward to seeing how my family reacts to this.
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Oubliette says:
May 28, 2016 at 5:30 pm
The leaders of this religion are becoming increasingly shrill and desperate in their vain attempts to maintain control.
Let’s review: It’s a cult!
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Outandabout says:
May 29, 2016 at 2:31 pm
It’s a cult alright and I think exposing them as such is a much quicker and easier way into the JW brain.
They already know about the child abuse and a lot are uncomfortable with shunning. Trying to explain 607, failed prophecies and other idiocies seems to go right over there head, although I’m sure some of it sticks. Now is the time to add to that.
Information explaining what a cult actually is and how to spot them is at ones fingertips and it doesn’t necessarily set out to demolish the Jw’s so it could hardly be seen as persecution. I’ve used it on my Mother and she exclaimed ” I’m in a cult” and then five minutes later she said it again. I thought my job was done and didn’t do any follow up and the next time I saw her she had been brow beaten back into line and denied everything and now I can’t get near her. If I could just go back to that moment and do it differently…….
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Big B says:
May 29, 2016 at 3:41 pm
@ Outandabout
You got your points across and the seed of doubt was planted. As long as your Mom continues to associate and breath the toxic air of inane Cultism at the Kingdom Hall she will never break free.
Unfortunately for many that’s the way the cult works: FOG* (Fear, Obligation & Guilt). At least your conscience is clear and you tried.
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Tara says:
May 28, 2016 at 5:58 pm
So how will we ‘faders’ know that we are now shunned without a judicial? Will an announcement be made? will their be a local needs talk to mention without naming?
In the last week I have had three different elders attempt to contact me. One left the invite through the door with a message on it asking for us to chat. Another was the grandfather of my son in law who grilled me on my attendance and lack of ministry (He’s not even in my cong.) the other day and other elder went to my daughters door and inquired if I was home.
This activity now has me wondering if ‘we’, my daughter and I, will be shunned/df’d without hearing. Not that we would attend one in any case.
Can anyone enlighten me on what the likely outcome will be?
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Tara says:
May 28, 2016 at 5:59 pm
ugh bad spelling ‘there’ not their…..
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Darth Fader says:
May 28, 2016 at 8:46 pm
Great Question, just how will this be enacted? From the podium or “Elder Gossip”?
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Tara says:
May 29, 2016 at 7:25 am
I think it will take the form of a local needs in our hall. They will reiterate the talk and then make it very clear, without names who is to be shunned.
It will go along the lines of…
Dear brothers, as we look around our hall tonight, we notice some empty seats. Yes, some have forsaken their dedication and no longer follow the direction given to us to congregate together…. not forsaking the gathering….blaa, blaa, blaa.
We must find it in our hearts to be strong enough to avoid such ones in the loving hope they will return to us….. blaa, blaa, blaa and o forth.
Oh, we won’t know about it until we get the cold shoulder. Maybe someone will give us a heads up…. In my case I will prepare myself for those still talking to me to stop fb and waving to me as they go past in the car. My greatest fear is now my ex daughter in law will try to instill a shunning attitude in my grandchild. If it is made public knowledge that I am ti be shunned then I will be using fb media to highlight that I am…. my ‘brothers’ far afield will need to know but it will let other friends know the circumstances and what has gone on.
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brooke says:
May 30, 2016 at 5:20 am
hey tara,
You are not alone, I tried to fade out of the faith. I had not attended meetings for over two years when an elder from my hall showed up at my house alone at ten thirty at night. He said he found my address on the internet. After they found out where i lived they sent me a letter stating that they were going to have a judicial committee whether i decided to attend or not. After two months of on again off again communication, i was given the choice to attend a JC (or one would be given in my absence) or disassociate. They are obviously pursuing a “cleansing”. If they choose to pursue you i do not know if there is anything you can do to prevent it. However, hopefully these new practices will help to wake up some of your family members.
Best Wishes!
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Chiafade says:
May 28, 2016 at 6:05 pm
So this new policy of shunning inactive ones who have faded seems like it would make good information to hand over to the UK charity commission. Also to the Australian royal commission since it was Geoffrey Jackson who all but recommended fading as a course of action for those who disagreed with the organization. Even going so far as to say that “no action would be taken against them”. So what does that make Jackson and the rest of the gb? Liars? I think we know the answer.
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Garrett says:
May 28, 2016 at 6:10 pm
Great point Chifade!!!! Please write to the charity commissions as you mentioned.
This just proves what we have been saying all along.
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John ship says:
May 29, 2016 at 12:18 am
Their shunning policy is now against the law un uk the adition to the domestic abuse law now includes coersive and controling behaviour causing emotional and mental damage to a family member .anyone who is being subjected to this or has a family member affected should contact the social servises and police as soon as posible..more court cases for WT..and the elders who enfirce it..
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John ship says:
May 29, 2016 at 12:18 am
Their shunning policy is now against the law un uk the adition to the domestic abuse law now includes coersive and controling behaviour causing emotional and mental damage to a family member .anyone who is being subjected to this or has a family member affected should contact the social servises and police as soon as posible..more court cases for WT..and the elders who enfirce it..
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John ship says:
May 29, 2016 at 12:20 am
To add also contact the charity commisiin .they are currently investigating WT Uk..
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Markw1509 says:
May 29, 2016 at 10:43 am
Exactly what I was thinking….
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JWIntellect says:
May 28, 2016 at 6:43 pm
In the video, the speaker states that the practice of disfellowshiping unrepentant wrongdoers helps to avoid bringing reproach upon Jehovah’s name. Does not reporting accusations of child abuse to the authorities, even when these have been corroborated by evidence and testimony, not bring reproach upon Jehovah’s name? Does not harboring child molesters within the organization not bring reproach upon Jehovah’s name? If this righteous, benevolent God exists, he should have abandoned this organization a long time ago. In fact, “He” shouldn’t have abandoned it, He should have never chosen this organization to represent him in the first place.
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Eric Arthur Blair says:
May 29, 2016 at 5:41 am
This is the point that really resonated with me. Especially in the example of the children who “reported” their mother to the elders. The GB foster a culture of reporting on each other, like an oppressive dictatorship with its spy network (very 1984) while over 1,000 known predators go unreported to the appropriate agencies (the “superior authorities”) in Australia alone – a 100% strike rate. Surely nothing could bring greater reproach on Jehovah’s name?
If Jehovah really had been directing this organisation their policies would reflect that and would have been in place for decades. Then there would be no skeletons in the closet to find, and the ARC would have shone the light on an organisation which would be held up as the model for all others to follow, truly Christlike, rather than the festering cesspit it exposed. And they have the nerve to resist the ARC, reject its findings, silence those who speak out (especially the “apostate” victims) and then direct the “sheep” to shun such ones who leave in good conscience. Appalling. It almost defies belief, but I would discount anything these delusional self-righteous men do.
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Eric Arthur Blair says:
May 30, 2016 at 3:28 am
That was meant to read “wouldn’t discount” grrrrrr, spellcheck.
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Big B says:
May 29, 2016 at 9:08 am
A JWIntellect
Verily, Jehovah has never chosen it.
Would an all knowing, omnipotent God choose an organization that believed that the Great Pyramid at Giza was to be considered to be the “Great Witness” which measurements are supposed to show the end times of 1914?
Would this same God choose an organization that was commandeered in what amounts to a hostile take over by Judge “pass me another drink” Rutherford a know sot?
Would an all powerful God allow the use of his name and bless this sham organization for joining the United Nations for ten years and for all intents and purposes becoming a whore like Babylon the Great?
Would an merciful God punish those who left for seeing pedophiles being protected while children are left abandoned?
Will Jehovah God, Sovereign Lord of the Universe, continue to bless a religion with continued growth that uses his name as a cover for its own twisted purposes?
I think we all know the answers to the above. They are now reaping what they have sown! Good riddance to bad rubbish!
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Markw1509 says:
May 29, 2016 at 10:44 am
Well said….
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TeraG says:
May 28, 2016 at 6:55 pm
Ugh, I feel sick to my stomach. I have been formerly shunned but my sister who is living with her boyfriend and just had a baby has faded and so far has been under the raidar but now I’m worried for her. My mom shuns us but has been a big help to my sister since my nieces birth and visits my sister to help her out. If my mom, who is a pretty hard core jw, takes the new direction to heart my niece will lose a grandma. Ugh I hate this cult. its so unfair and unloving.
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digga says:
May 28, 2016 at 7:02 pm
When was this communicated to the rank and file? I faded 18 years ago and while my family still try and encourage me to come back they have been open and friendly towards me for the most part….but ive noticed that they have been a little different in the last couple of months. Not really wanting to engage with me.
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ScotWm says:
May 28, 2016 at 7:27 pm
It doesn’t look like the Friday afternoon session of the 2016 convention played to a full house. It’s interesting to see that the “Shun Unrepentant Wrongdoers” talk was followed by a talk entitled “Be Forgiving.”
https://www.jw.org/en/publications/books/2016-Convention-Program/#?insight%5Bsearch_id%5D=81b9e739-a16a-40f7-8e0a-f81f0ac619a4&insight%5Bsearch_result_index%5D=1
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RetiredLE says:
May 29, 2016 at 9:10 am
Question Box -KM 2/2000
▪ Is it appropriate to applaud when a reinstatement is announced?
In his loving-kindness, Jehovah God has provided a Scriptural way for repentant wrongdoers to regain his favor and achieve reinstatement in the Christian congregation. (Ps. 51:12, 17) When this takes place, we are encouraged to confirm our love for such sincerely repentant ones.—2 Cor. 2:6-8.
Even so, as joyful as we are when a relative or acquaintance is reinstated, a quiet dignity should prevail at the time that the person’s reinstatement is announced in the congregation. The Watchtower of October 1, 1998, page 17, expressed matters this way: “We must remember, however, that most in the congregation are not aware of the particular circumstances that led to a person’s expulsion or to his reinstatement. In addition, there may be some who have been personally affected or hurt—perhaps even on a long-term basis—by the wrongdoing of the repentant one. Being sensitive to such matters, therefore, when an announcement of reinstatement is made, we would understandably withhold expressions of welcome until such can be made on a personal basis.”
Although we are very happy to see someone return to the truth, applause at the time of his or her reinstatement would not be appropriate.
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RetiredLE says:
May 29, 2016 at 9:14 am
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Big B says:
May 29, 2016 at 3:57 pm
@ RetiredLE
So “Jehovah is ready to forgive” huh? Isn’t that just wonderful?
I’ll be willing to bet Jehovah is not ready to protect her children from the unknown, unrepentant and active local pedophiles lurking in her congregation.
Back to the same old crap, and love bombing. Back to slavery to seven demented morons and bondage to a Pedophile protecting cult.
‘Back out into the field oh you ministers to Advertise, Advertise, Advertise the King and His Kingdom!’ Oh, and while you’re at it don’t forget to sell my books. J.F. ‘the drunken sot’ Judge Rutherford.
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RetiredLE says:
May 29, 2016 at 9:34 pm
Can’t fix ‘stupid’… on either side
Average Joe says:
May 29, 2016 at 2:40 pm
This has since been changed and you can now applaud if you want to. New light from a letter sent to elders this year.
If you ask nicely, Covert Fade might put a copy of said letter on here.
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RetiredLE says:
May 29, 2016 at 9:41 pm
@Average Joe.. thanks for the update on ‘new light’ and reading the context of the post. Ludicrous that the ‘Samaritans’ Brother is in charge of ‘forgiveness’. One more ‘tenth’ of the spice to keep up with…
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DoneDeal says:
May 28, 2016 at 7:44 pm
Omg… I can’t begin to explain how sickening it is to watch the video, manipulation and emotional blackmail at its best! Like someone else said above, what was holding a lot of us ‘quiet faders’ back was the fact that we were trying to keep the peace, and still have some contact with our families. The moment they take that away with their new quasi-disfellowshipping policy… sh*&%$ is going to hit the fan!
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Matias says:
May 28, 2016 at 7:52 pm
I, on the other hand, think that this is hilarious. I can’t wait to see how the jws I know start behaving from now on. They might start exhibiting more of the attitudes of sick *********** I think they are, which amuse me so much. I also can’t wait to see the collapse of their cult and laugh like ‘in your face, irrational bastard!’
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Steve McRoberts says:
May 28, 2016 at 8:01 pm
Political and religious leaders have always known that when doubt begins to set in, nothing reaffirms the sagging faith or brings their “flock” together more effectively than hate campaigns directed to non-members and former-members.
As the Watchtower religion begins to crumble, it’s predictable that they will seek to increase the contrast between themselves and us by demonizing and shunning us (all the while proclaiming that their organization is “living proof that hatred can be abolished. It is a foreglimpse of a worldwide program to eliminate hatred and its causes.” —Watchtower, June 15, 1995, p. 8)
If the time remaining is as short as they proclaim, and they are supposed to be preaching their message to the whole world before Armageddon, in order to save as many as possible by making converts — why would they waste a second of such precious time in diatribes against former members?
What they do belies what they claim to believe.
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Michele says:
May 28, 2016 at 8:18 pm
This makes me sick. I wish there could be serious media coverage on their cult behaviour. It’s disgusting. my mom and brother are still very much in. I was never df’ed but I faded. He cut off all contact with me. That was several years ago. i feel like this was an implied rule. Lost all my friends too. So it doesn’t really surprise me that they would thrust it down the r&f’s throats officially. It’s been in the making for a while. Personal decision maybe previously. It’s a how “spiritual are you” guilt trip. If you talk to your child you aren’t being loyal to jehovah. Give me a friggin break.
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Quendi says:
May 28, 2016 at 9:35 pm
“Serious media coverage” of Jehovah’s Witnesses’ conventions more or less ended after the 1970s when the Governing Body’s doomsday talk proved to be nothing more than a false alarm. Since then, most news organizations pay scant or no attention to these gatherings and so the information about shunning lapsed or inactive members will get no mention. More’s the pity.
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Big B says:
May 29, 2016 at 10:34 am
There are not enough Jehovah’s Witnesses world wide to make a difference in anything they say or do.
Roman Catholicism claims to have 800 million adherents and when the Holy See speaks everyone (including non-Catholics) listens.
However, when the G.B. speaks all of 8 million (if that number is correct, which I doubt) then who listens or even cares? The J.W.’s are an annoying, doomsday declaring, gadfly. A festering boil on the
butt of mankind. A throwback to the Adventist Millerite movement with its “Great Disappointment”. A worthless, clueless nattering nabob of negativity.
Whatever terminology they want to use against me or my family, be it “disfellowshipped”, “disassociated” or “apostate” makes no difference to me as no one cares and the world in general does not care. The judgement of the world is based on who you are not what “religion” you practice.
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Telescopium says:
May 29, 2016 at 11:10 am
Big B, I like your choice of words. Both my wife and I laughed hard at your “festering boil on the butt of mankind” comment. I intend to make good use of this phrase in the future.
Thanks for lightening the day!
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Big B says:
May 29, 2016 at 4:03 pm
@ Telescopium
I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Oh, I forgot to reference the quote: “nattering nabobs of negativity” which was a phrase used by Vice President Spiro Agnew to refer to the members of the media with whom he had a very acrimonious relationship.
Steve McRoberts says:
May 28, 2016 at 8:33 pm
I just watched all nine minutes of this video, and it made me physically nauseous.
The video “drama” shown in this talk blames the victim and makes heroes of the mind-numbed parents who put loyalty to Watchtower ahead of love for their daughter.
Another gem is how the speaker praises the boys who ratted out their mother to the elders, and “chose” not to associate with her anymore! Of course it was “the hardest thing they ever had to do.” Nothing can subvert the strong bonds of love between mother and child better than the undue influence of an insidious cult.
“There will be no loyalty, except loyalty towards the Party.” — George Orwell, 1984
The above seems to be Watchtower’s motto. Too bad they don’t use the following in its place, since they claim to base everything on the Bible:
“Do not you people be owing anybody a single thing, except to love one another; for he that loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. For the law code, “You must not commit adultery, You must not murder, You must not steal, You must not covet”, and whatever other commandment there is, is summed up in this word, namely, “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does not work evil to one’s neighbor; therefore love is the law’s fulfillment.”
(Romans 13:8-10)
If they insist that there is a “law” of shunning, well then, the “law of love” trumps it, according to their own Bible.
Reply
Tara says:
May 28, 2016 at 9:17 pm
Just posted the G.O quote to fb. Will be interested to see who likes it.
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Matias says:
May 28, 2016 at 8:42 pm
“…and to deeply grieve when a beloved family member leaves Jehovah. Jehovah understands the feelings of his loyal ones. He knows the pain of losing a family member.”
Those few seconds are pure art. The leader addressing a gullible crowd, with his image in a big screen, talking about a made up character who is ‘the actual leader’ hiding behind the shadows. Much like movie Equilibrium or 1984. A Orwellian reality indeed. We live in a distopyan future.
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D.S. says:
May 28, 2016 at 9:41 pm
Sick! Sick! Sick! How long will it be before they are exposed for who they really are? As one reader posted recently: ‘The WTBTS is a Controlling org of pedophile protectors, family destroyers, and a lying cult!’
Reply
Tilli says:
May 29, 2016 at 12:04 am
Didn’t watch the whole clip. Is birthday explicitly mentioned as shunning offense? Celebrating birthdays is at least no disfellowshipping offense as far as I know.
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Jeruen says:
May 29, 2016 at 12:14 am
Reading this is so disturbing. I’ve had very little contact with my parents for years now (we live in different continents/countries, and until now the level of contact I have is approximately a dinner every time I am in town), and I guess I should expect that it should be even less than that.
Sometimes, I find it easier, and better for my mental health, to just stop treating them as family, and treat them as total strangers instead. Somehow my mind finds that easier to process.
An open question regarding fading, maybe someone here knows – I was raised as a JW by my parents (who weirdly enough, were diplomats, that fact didn’t bother them somehow), I got baptized as a teen in Japan, and a decade later, I faded in the USA (while in graduate school). I never met any judicial committee, nor did I write any disassociation letter. Now I am in Germany. I have some Internet presence where a Google-savvy individual can clearly see that I have “committed serious sins”. It’s quite easy for anyone to be a witness against me. What does that make me then? Am I still an inactive? Or is it likely that I was disfellowshipped in absentia? I ask more for curiosity’s sake; however the JWs treat my case is irrelevant for me at this point.
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Kopernicus says:
May 29, 2016 at 2:31 am
I concur with Kidneykid. It is myopic of the GBoJW to sanction the inactive / faded. I am still regarded by the local BoE as a JW – they don’t know I blog against the org regularly. However, they and the cong have disliked several episodes of outspokenness in WT studies (despite my carefully having referenced the WT, Bible, Insight, AW). Consequently, some already shun me or are at leadt remote. So if the BoE ever DF me, or if I become inactive and they DF me, then I have no incentive left for being discreet. Already, I know of at least 12 in my cong who are “awake”, and for whom DF or any other censure may remove the incentive to maintain discretion. This approach of the GBoJW may backfire on them. It also betrays their paradigm of control, conceit, and intolerance.
The decision will likely have the effect of magnifying the power of the BoE. Will likely increase abuse of power by BoEs. DF without a JC may mean DF without a document trail. Just what is needed by the WTBTS after such having proved to be important by litigants and the ARC. After the conventions, we can expect a plethora of correspondence to be sent out to BoE re guidance about non JC DFing. New references for the secret Shephard the Flock book too.
Could be a Laurel and Hardy scenario – “Well here’s another fine mess you’ve gotten me into!”
Reply
David says:
May 29, 2016 at 2:58 am
Interesting isn’t it that when a snake is injured it lashes out in mindless fashion.
Anyone still hanging on to the reasoning of injured snakes will indeed suffer from this dying reflex.
Reply
Caroline says:
May 29, 2016 at 3:11 am
I relish the idea that the elders would be brave enough to call me in for a judicial meeting because it only takes about four scriptures to show that the tetragrammaton was put in the Bible by the Masoretes when they were transcribing the Hebrew scriptures and the god that the Israelites worshipped was Molech. It’s all over the Bible but most people don’t realize it because the Masoretes replaced the tetragrammaton with lord and God etc.
The Society want us all to be disfellowshiped without calling us in to a judicial because once the elders actually hear what we have to say about the United Nations, 607 B.C.E. and the rest of the lies, we just might convince those elders that they are being fooled. It is so much easier to disfellowship us by stabbing us in the back and make the rank and file think we have become demonic.
I just happen to have a 1885 copy of the Imperial Bible Dictionary on my coffee table and when two of the elders from my congregation stopped by to “encourage” me a few weeks ago, I dared them to explain what the Society left out about the cross and one of the elders took me up on my dare and of course, he won’t be back again.
I told them that I don’t want to be disfellowshiped but I don’t see how they can not disfellowship me because I have the proof right on my coffee table that the Society is lying about what that dictionary says about the cross and just like I showed it to them, I can show it to anybody else that comes over.
I think that they are truly fond of me but they have to decide who they love more, the Society’s god or me and that is a terrible and life-changing decision.
https://youtu.be/rnyHSe_e1Dw
Reply
Eric Arthur Blair says:
May 29, 2016 at 5:52 am
Would love to know which four scriptures you mean? Also what your book says on the cross, I’m intrigued. Do have any references I can use? Might come in handy for the knock on the door Ive been anticipating!
Reply
Tara says:
May 29, 2016 at 7:35 am
I agree Eric. Could you post it Caroline?
Reply
Caroline says:
May 29, 2016 at 10:49 am
Go to Acts 7:42, 43 where Stephen said that the Israelites were worshiping at the tent of Molech during the forty years they were in the wilderness then to Numbers 31:40 and the “tax” of the virgin girls was 32 that went to Jehovah.
Exodus 22:29 says the firstborn of their sons were to belong to Jehovah and Jeremiah 7:22 says “For I did not speak with your forefathers nor did I command them in the day of my bringing them out from the land of Egypt concerning the matters of whole burnt offering and sacrifice.”
The one scripture that I would concentrate on is Numbers chapter 31, the whole chapter. What would Jehovah want with 32 virgin girls? The other 32,000 virgin girls that they kept for themselves is pretty hard to explain also.
If they wanted slaves, then why not the boys?
If they think that’s so terrible that Jehovah would require the burning of 32 virgin girls on the alter, have them explain the deaths of every man, woman and boy child in Midian then too? It was too terrible to “burn” 32 virgin girls on the alter but it was okay to kill probably hundreds of thousands of men, women and children in Midian, including all the little boys to have 32,000 virgin girls left over that they could divide up among themselves? What did they do with those little girls and how did they know they were virgins?
The Society chooses that God to name themselves after and Jesus never once said that that God was his father. The Society put that in the NWT Greek Scriptures and it was never in the original Greek scriptures.
According to Acts 7:42,43, the law given to Moses was from Molech. It was the Watchtower organization who stupidly chose to put Jehovah in the Bible 7,000 times. They are the ones promoting that name Jehovah as God and named themselves after that hideous god. If the tetragrammaton actually stood for Molech, then they are stupidly worshiping Molech and are proud of it, thinking they are the only ones who worship the “true” god.
The Society is too afraid of us “apostates” and so they are scaring the rank and file into disfellowshiping us without a committee hearing because the Society knows that once we start telling the elders why we don’t want anything to do with that religion anymore, that there will be a lot of them that will listen and realize that they too have been conned.
Up until now, I gave the Governing Body the benefit of a doubt, but not anymore. Now I do believe they are just plain evil.
Reply
Caroline says:
May 29, 2016 at 10:54 am
This is my video that I put up with my copy of the Imperial Bible Dictionary 1885 under cross.
https://youtu.be/Cjku3W8lIvw
Reply
Twmack says:
May 29, 2016 at 4:37 am
“Shun the Sinners” I agree whole heartedly. That’s why
I’ve turned my back on this vile organisation, that covered
up 5.000 pedophile attacks in Australia alone. Perpetrated
by 1.000 of their members.
Reply
Twmack says:
May 29, 2016 at 5:00 am
Correction, 1,006, JW child molesters, uncovered by the
Australian Royal “Commision”.
Reply
FadingJosie says:
May 29, 2016 at 5:10 am
Well I guess this means that the brochure,”Return to Jehovah” can now go out of print! It seems the ‘soft’ approach has been cast aside in favour of a hard line instruction which will test the loyalty of those still in the org and emphasise to the inactive ones that the Governing Body means business. It’s despicable!
Reply
VictorE says:
May 29, 2016 at 6:49 am
VictorE
The Amish use disfellowshipping to maintain their life style and form of worship. However, they do not use complete shunning like JW’s. A disfellowshpped person can come to a wedding or other event and they talk to them, they just won’t sit next to them while eating because they are not suppose to eat with them. They will help them if they ask, even give them money or other help if they ask. In other words the Amish will talk to those who are disfellowshipped.
The bible says to not say a greeting nor eat with them. A greeting was an elaborate welcome, almost a ritual where the greeter would bless the success of whatever the person was involved in. It would be like a JW saying Merry Christmas during the holidays etc. That’s what the bible means by not saying a greeting. It has nothing to do with shunning. JW’s still talk to worldly persons, without saying such greetings. They don’t shun worldly people.
Not eating with them is refusing to associate with them on a social basis. How would you refuse an invitation if you didn’t talk to them? Why would they invite you if you didn’t talk to them? Such a command would have been redundant if a person was to be shunned altogether.
So shunning goes way beyond what the bible teaches and is not a bible based principle.
This can be seen in Jesus words at Matthew 18 where he shows three things a person could do if their brother sinned against them. One, go to that person and try to settle the problem. Two, if they didn’t listen take along witnesses. Three, if they still didn’t listen, take them before the congregation. If they didn’t listen then, they would be disfellowshipped. What Christ said next is his instructions on how to treat a disfellowshipped person.
Christ said, treat them as people of the nations or tax collectors. He did not say shun them.
They talked to worldly people and tax collectors. They just wouldn’t say elaborate greetings nor eat with them. According the Christ they were to do the same to disfellowshipped ones.
Jesus words are totally contrary to what is being enforced by W.
This shunning extremism is not from Christ nor Jehovah God. So one is NOT proving their love or loyalty to Jehovah by engaging is this hypocritical and abusive form of extreme shunning. It goes way beyond the bible.
If the Amish see no need to engage in such extremism of shunning to protect their separate life style and religion then why the W? One can only conclude that it must be for a different reason than protecting the congregation or keeping it clean. Just what is it they are trying to hide? This extreme form of shunning is not for keeping the congregation clean, but for covering up what they don’t want the rank and file to discover.
Reply
Iown Mylife says:
May 29, 2016 at 7:16 am
The WT needs persecution of its members to prove their claims of being the true religion. The fear they instill by mind-control isn’t enough by itself. The passive-aggressive silent treatment of faders will help stir up anger against the org, which is what they WANT.
They WANT to precipitate persecution. Their dogma won’t work without it.
Marina
Reply
konceptual99 says:
May 29, 2016 at 7:29 am
To be fair this is not a completely new tack. The example in the talk is taken from the WT 85 7/15 page19 para14
I quote..
14 Loyalty today likewise results in blessings. One young Witness remembers the stand he and his brothers took when their mother, long inactive as a Christian, entered an adulterous marriage. “We reported matters to the elders,” he recalls, “and since she did not live at home, we decided to limit association with her until the elders could handle matters. It was the hardest thing we ever had to do.” The mother protested, “Does your everlasting life mean more to you than I do?” To this they replied, “Our relationship with Jehovah means more than anything.” The woman was jolted into manifesting sincere repentance, was restored spiritually, and serves again as an active publisher of the good news.
The speaker uses this almost verbatim. This has long been the way of the WTS, it’s just that it is now being reinforced for a new generation of Witnesses through a convention item explicitly linked to loyalty.
Reply
Gary says:
May 29, 2016 at 8:16 am
‘I came not to judge the ‘world’ but to save it, I came not to destroy but to save, I judge no man’.
How is it that Christ’s brothers are above Christ’s words?
Message for local Elders. . If you pursue me I will contact the police and I will methodically build a case for harassment.
Reply
Gary says:
May 29, 2016 at 8:25 am
Interestingly John 12.47 in context was spoken to Gods already dedicated people the Jews.
If the Chirst refused to condemn those sinners while on earth who are we to argue and who are we to enforce others to shun without first the benefit of evidence?
A dangerous game if your a Christian indeed.
Reply
Sarah says:
May 29, 2016 at 11:14 am
Nice verse. It seems you know the Bible better than the GB.
I once spoke to Sam Herd who told me I couldn’t take the org to court. I told him he did not understand the verses in romans correctly and that Paul was only talking about money matters. Some things should be taken to court by Christians, such as abuse. Romans 13 says the government has the God-given right to deal with these matters.
The next thing I knew Samuel Herd gave a talk about there being no ‘Queen Bees’ in the organization. It was then that I knew this member of the GB did not have the Christian quality necessary to accept counsel from the scriptures. Pride is a sin so maybe we should shun this member of the GB.
About criticizing the GB, Paul criticized Peter about not eating with Gentile Christians. Peter accepted the advice and changed.
Reply
BEE CEE says:
May 29, 2016 at 8:32 am
Sorry you wont live in paradise
Reply
RetiredLE says:
May 29, 2016 at 8:58 am
Paradise is a place outside our current dimension only blocked by a counterfeit … ‘Spiritual IPADadise’
Reply
Griff says:
May 29, 2016 at 8:33 am
I am scared, the little I had left of my family might disappear. When or if that happens, I will explode on WT – all bets are off…and I will come for them anyway I know how to.
Reply
RetiredLE says:
May 29, 2016 at 8:47 am
Thank you Alex Silva for the on sight RC recordings, it seems to reflect what I’ve seen among many J.W.’s who are quietly waking up to their cognitive dissonance.
Notice the R&F level of applause with each of the videos.
i.e. – A huge applause after the ‘humour’ shown in “When Praised” vid. and the weak and sporadic applause after the “Disfellowshipping” vid. I’ve seen this on numerous occasions with recent video presentations in the congregations after some, JW Broadcasting lunacy, Calebs “rock and roll fantasy”, or I suspect now, even the applause in the congregation shown at the reinstatement announcement (previously taboo). It seems as if some of the Sleepers are Awakening?…….With this, in addition to throwing the elderly under the bus for not conforming to the “Spiritual IPADadise” , etc., etc….is it possible for a J.W. to perceive a truly loving God and that perhaps ‘Billions Now Living Won’t Have to Die.’ ?
Reply
Vincent Deporter says:
May 29, 2016 at 9:31 am
I am also nervous on how my mom and sis will react… the cult is desperately hanging on to those still inside, by isolating them from people like me and those who are vocal about the truth about the “truth”…
Reply
Tara says:
May 29, 2016 at 7:15 pm
That’s an interesting comment. The Borg. IS isolating those within. Just like Jim Jones isolated his followers. He left them no way out and then ordered the drinking of poison. Those too old or young were given ‘help’. Actually, it’s quite terrifying. I can’t remember the article but I recall it said something like we should be prepared to do exactly what they say even if it sounds strange.
Reply
Big B says:
May 30, 2016 at 2:48 pm
@ Tara
The information you are para-phrasing is located in the November 15, Watchtower study issue on page 20 paragraph 17 which says;
“(3) At that time, the life saving direction that we receive from Jehovah’s organization may not appear practical from a human standpoint. All of us must be ready to obey any instructions we ma receive, whether these appear sound from a strategic or human standpoint or not. (4) Now is the time for any who may be putting their trust in secular education, material things, or human institutions to adjust their thinking. The elders must stand ready to help any who may be wavering in their faith”.
The elders are definitely told to be ready for any instructions from the H.Q. “to help any wavering in their faith”.
Sounds like they’re preparing the Sheeple to belly up to the wash tub. Oh, by the way do you want the grape flavored or cherry flavored Kool Aid?
Remember we must “listen, OBEY, and be blessed.” 🙂
Reply
Tara says:
May 30, 2016 at 4:34 pm
Many thanks Big B 🙂 I didn’t think I was imagining it.
What! actually given a choice for the poison! that way to dangerous…. might get the minions thinking for themselves!
Reply
WTS Archive says:
May 29, 2016 at 10:12 am
Hey,
Just today all convention videos and talk outlines leaked in english, which includes also the above video (among many other crazy ones). You can watch them here: https://wtsarchive.com/pub/co-vid16-e_regional-convention-2016-talk-videos
Reply
Joe Rizoli says:
May 29, 2016 at 10:44 am
The JW’s are at the point in their cult existence where they are going internal to purge their own. This happens quite frequently in lot of cults. Many years back their was a group called the children of God (COG ) who did the same thing. They purged their group using silly requirements that had nothing to do with Christianity but personal preferences of the loonie people who ran the group. The JW’s are doing the same thing, nothing big is happening In their preaching work so they start purging themselves. A tell tale sign of a false prophet mentioned in the Bible ( Duet 18:22 ) would be that the false prophet puts it’s members in FEAR…..There is nothing wrong with trying to be morally pure, but the requirements for being in the inner sanctum get more unbiblical as the group resorts to insanity and unbiblical teachings….Again, all due to FEAR of the members in the group to go against their “oracle” or what I call the “Ahithophel Syndrone” 2 Sam 16:23. When people reach that stage of a groups existance then it’s already too late.
I have a “testimony” I wrote my years that goes into all of this called “The Ultimate Rape” by Joe Rizoli
Reply
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← The Friday Column: No Girls Allowed – Growing up as a Female Jehovah’s Witness
News Bulletin: Watchtower tightens shunning rules to include “sinful” inactive ones.
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Posted on May 28, 2016
Screenshot 2016-05-28 23.25.32
Camera footage taken by Alex Silva at the Jersey City Regional Convention.
Rumours have been flying about in recent weeks that Watchtower might be changing its shunning policy for the worse at the 2016 Regional Conventions entitled “Remain Loyal to Jehovah.”
We at JW Survey had been aware of these rumours, and had received credible information from reliable sources that seemed to confirm that these rumours were indeed true.
However, since we knew that speculation without absolute proof on this issue might cause unnecessary distress, we decided to wait until absolute concrete proof emerged of this change before reporting it.
Thanks to a member of the Ex-Jehovah’s Witness community, Alex Silva, who bravely attended the Jersey City convention in the US and recorded severa key talks from the program, we now have recorded confirmation that the information we were given was true.
The talk “Shun Unrepentant Wrongdoers, to be given at the 2016 convention as part of the symposium “Loyaly Uphold Jehovah’s Judgements” will apparently expand Watchtower’s shunning policy to include the following scenario:
◾If you are currently considered “inactive,” and are known to have committed a “serious sin,” Watchtowers official position apparently is now that you must be shunned without the requirement to wait for a Judicial Committee.
This will include everyday “sins” such as:
◾Moving in with an unmarried partner
◾Smoking
◾Celebrating Christmas
◾Premarital sex
◾Same sex marriage
◾Criticising the Governing Body
◾Denying Watchtower teachings
◾Celebrating Birthdays
Essentially, any action that would result in a baptised Jehovah’s Witness being disfellowshipped will now result in an inactive one being shunned without the requirement for Judicial Committee action.
This will come as deeply upsetting news for the many inactive ones who have “faded;” the term often used for those who, by a mixture of good fortune and careful planning, have managed to leave the Watchtower religion without sanction from a Judicial Committee, and thus avoided the penalty of shunning. Many such ones still have contact with their Jehovah’s Witness families; contact that now may be cut off if their families consider this person to be “sinning” in the way prescribed by the Governing Body.
It is hard to see this new command as anything less that a deliberate attempt from Watchtower’s leadership to target such “faders” and drag them back under the Governing Body’s control via a policy that amounts to nothing less than pure emotional blackmail:
“Do as we tell you or you will never see your love ones again.”
We are preparing an article to analyse this apparent expansion to Watchtower’s controversial shunning laws in more detail.
We are also preparing an entire series of articles to deal with the various controversial stories that are emerging from this 2016 Regional Convention. Those who have been following this convention will know that this change to the shunning policy is just one of many astonishing and disturbing aspects of the program.
If you are “inactive,” or “faded”, and are concerned that your ties to your family may now be severed, we at JW Survey feel deeply for you. Many of our team are in this position as well.
I am one of them.
I am hopeful that my family will chose to continue association with me, despite the condemnation of my lifestyle by the Governing Body as “serious sin.” But if they do not, I refuse to allow Watchtower’s Governing Body to use my family as leverage to rule my life.
I do not negotiate with hostage takers.
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← The Friday Column: No Girls Allowed – Growing up as a Female Jehovah’s Witness
227 Responses to News Bulletin: Watchtower tightens shunning rules to include “sinful” inactive ones.
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Julio Fudgefullnames says:
May 29, 2016 at 11:08 am
Good article but this really isn’t a brand new thing. JW’s always were supposed to be leary of ‘weak’ ones, including faders. The measures individual JW’s take it to always varies but when I went inactive over 20 years ago there were some that wouldn’t acknowledge me in public. This new talk may influence some JW’s to become more shunful (new word?) of inactive ones and faders but others won’t necessarily follow it to a T.
Reply
Simon Williams says:
May 30, 2016 at 12:50 am
No, it’s not new. I know I’m not alone in being shunned without a JC because I left. Just something which is clearly now being reinforced as not optional and so will potentially hit a lot more people.
They’re pushing the ‘don’t associate with weak JWs’ thing harder as well in this assembly. While specifying that it shouldn’t be a full-on shunning.
It’s really the level of reinforcement more than anything else which makes this stand out.
Reply
Covert Fade says:
May 30, 2016 at 4:03 am
It’s new because there is a difference between “limiting association” with a faded sinner, as was previously the case, and shunning them, which is the new position.
You can still see someone you are limiting association with. If I limit my caffeine intake, I can still drink coffee, I just don’t drink as much. If I shun coffee, I don’t drink it at all.
True, a lot of JW’s did shun the faded “sinners,” but this wasn’t a requirement, so many didn’t. That’s what has changed.
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wish2bfader says:
May 30, 2016 at 2:15 pm
It is not new. The KS book relates to such situation: ““If the sinful conduct is known only to believing
family members and no congregation action has
been taken, believing relatives will likely determine
to curtail family association severely, viewing the relative
as bad association” .
This is exactly the expected treatment to a disfellowshipped family member.
The story that the speaker told is taken from w85 7/15 p. 19:
Loyalty today likewise results in blessings. One young Witness remembers the stand he and his brothers took when their mother, long inactive as a Christian, entered an adulterous marriage. “We reported matters to the elders,” he recalls, “and since she did not live at home, we decided to limit association with her until the elders could handle matters. It was the hardest thing we ever had to do.” The mother protested, “Does your everlasting life mean more to you than I do?” To this they replied, “Our relationship with Jehovah means more than anything.” The woman was jolted into manifesting sincere repentance, was restored spiritually, and serves again as an active publisher of the good news.
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KimJones says:
May 30, 2016 at 5:26 pm
Thank you Wish2bfader, that explains what happened to me. I was confused about it. In 1988 I married out of the truth. My JW family concidered me bad asociation because I celebrated Christmas with my husband for his 3 and 7 year olds. I’ve never been disfellowshipped.
Hakizimana Jean de Dieu says:
May 29, 2016 at 11:51 am
I am afraid the day of Vengeance for Jehovah has come…
1) *** w15 10/15 p. 5 par. 4 Do You See God’s Hand in Your Life? ***
“the sun stood still and the moon did not move until the nation could take vengeance on its enemies.”
2) *** g97 10/8 pp. 13-14 The Crusades—A ‘Tragic Illusion’ ***
The first to fall afoul of them were European Jews, accused of lending money to corrupt bishops. Atrocities were committed by the followers of Peter the Hermit against Jews, in places such as Rouen and Cologne, the city of departure. Albert of Aix states that when the Jews at Mainz “saw that the Christians did not spare even their little ones nor had pity on anyone, they threw themselves on their brothers, wives, mothers, and sisters and slew one another. The most heartrending thing was that mothers themselves cut their sucklings’ throats or ran them through, preferring them to die at their own hands rather than be killed by the arms of the uncircumcised.”
Thinking they would fail to tighten shunning rules is absolutely childish and ignorance of history.
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ScotWm says:
May 29, 2016 at 12:22 pm
So, inactive ones are now considered to be apostates. Wow! I guess we inactive apostates should immediately start shunning each other or risk being disfellowshipped.
Meanwhile, the September 2016 Watchtower Study Edition is hot off the press. Finally, the Governing Body has now focused on the reality of what it means to be a Watchtower slave:
“A SISTER who is a regular pioneer and is married to an elder, says: “Despite maintaining a good spiritual routine, I have struggled with anxiety for many years. It robs me of sleep, impacts my health, affects the way I treat others, and sometimes makes me want to give up and crawl into a hole.” ” This article provides dozens of scriptures which quickly solve this sister’s problems.
The next Watchtower article tackles a very important issue: “Defending the Good News Before High Officials.”
Judging from the Royal Commission transcripts, theocratic warfare will continue to allow Watchtower leaders, such as Geoffrey Jackson, to lie under oath — unless they blow off a court subpoena and refuse to appear.
The article continues with, “When Christians defend their faith before kings, governors, or other officials, they can give a witness to people whom it might otherwise have been difficult to reach with the Christian message.” “I do not answer to Watchtower” declared Governing Body member Gerrit Lösch, when presented with a court subpoena. Apparently, paying a $13.5 million default judgment was better than appearing in court. Obviously, Watchtower hypocrisy has no boundaries.
Another article discusses the importance of keeping children brainwashed into believing cult teachings. “Jehovah wants you to use “your power of reason” to prove the truth to yourself. He does not want you to believe just because others do. So use your thinking ability to gain accurate knowledge.” If this advice is followed, there will be a lot of empty seats in the Kingdom Halls.
Repetition is the best form of brainwashing. A word search reveals the number of times certain words are used in the magazine:
Jehovah = 106
Jehovah’s = 32 (This possessive form is used to indicate divine approval such as Jehovah’s blessing, Jehovah’s backing, Jehovah’s favor, Jehovah’s people, Jehovah’s approval, Jehovah’s organization etc.)
Jesus = 12 (At least the Savior gets honorable mention.)
http://jwsurvey.org/cedars-blog/i-do-not-answer-to-watchtower-stunning-gerrit-losch-declaration-revealed
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Minion says:
May 29, 2016 at 11:26 pm
@ S,
Damn, good read – that’s why I don’t read The Watchtower Corporation publications, I read them here. Thanks S.
Let me get this right – all inactive and faders JWs are to be shunned, if they did or not commit any sins?
I was told by my employee, earlier today, named Marvin,
Marvin) boss, you won’t guess which scriptures was a “must read” during the watchtower study?
me) – no clue,
Marvin) par.13, John 13:34-35,
me) yes, the new command from Jesus – you must Love your fellow brother/sister, to be identified as a disciple of Jesus.
Did the conductor ‘open the floor for discussion’?
Marvin) no he did not, only 1 elder commented and I was picked for the second comment, and I shared the scripture you explain to me the other day, I included 1 John 4:20-21, the scripture on, ‘if you love god and hate your brother (or shun) your a lair’.
The conductor then said, OK, let’s move on to par.14.
me) there you go, ‘hide it in plain sight’ a pivotal scripture of true survival in good times and hard times. And only 2 comments. That is really sad, I’m happy you shared the secondary scripture. But, you might have touched a nerve with the conductor.
The Watchtower Corporation, is going beyond what is written in the scriptures, for example in Matthew 18:15-17 is the reference about, ‘go lay bare his fault between you and him alone. If he does not listen even to the congregation, let him be to you just as a man of the nation’s and as a tax collector.
Where in the hell, does it say to shun or disfellowship?
It’s says very clear, “let him be”.
These two words, Jesus himself ate with a tax collector, so we’re good there. And he encouraged his disciples to visit all the nations, again, were good there too.
In summary, Watchtowers true agenda is to get a better grip on “collateral damage”. We all know they have been getting there ass kicked.
I also believe, the Watchtower will realize this was not the best course of action.
You can see the writing on the wall, for 2017 regional convention theme, “Remain Loyal Part 2” aka remain loyal and give me all your ice cream money to the 7 shameless men.
Peace out,
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ScotWm says:
May 30, 2016 at 12:52 am
The headline of this article says that “sinful” inactive ones will now be shunned. Both of us could be called apostates for Criticising the Governing Body and Denying Watchtower Teachings.
On the other hand, it could just be my imagina-shun.
Still, you yourself said, “The Watchtower Corporation, is going beyond what is written in the scriptures…” And I totally agree.
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Mandy Greenaway says:
May 31, 2016 at 9:23 am
Our little family of four has been talking and if being inactive means we are to be shunned, well, I have nice shiny box of cigars waiting to be smoked and more Christmas presents to order. Might as well be completely “bad” and make it worth their while!!!! 😉
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Dan says:
May 29, 2016 at 1:15 pm
Here’s the real danger with this line of thinking… whay constitutes a judicial hearing and what doesn’t? And what if someone who is inactive is just that inactive? Could 2 people say “I saw so and so Christmas shopping” and then bam!!! Df’ed. This is a very dark and dangerous road they are going down.
I don’t like it at all. And to be honest the lack of scriptural backing disturbs me as the scriptures quoted were once again taken way out of context.
Also as others have mentioned the fear obligation guilt method is on full display. Very dishonouring to the almighty. There is no way he would approve of this.
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Mounia says:
May 29, 2016 at 2:37 pm
Dear All,
I am writing to you from France and I’m not a JW but a student of their bible… I am very surprised by the list of the reasons of shunning policy from the watchtower, because it is obvious that JW don’t smoke, or marry to the same sex person but they insist on the critics on the governing body and the non agreement of their teaching, which I do with them because I really study the bible alone. For this reason I will not be baptised and they know it. So, why don’t they add to their list the murders, the idolitry and pedophilia ? this religion is getting worst and more dangerous that I have imaging. Also I don’t understand why some of you have made articles about the way they should change their rules! Please, face it: this is not a chistian religion and JW Survey is suposed to help ex JWs. Thank you and may God Bless you
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Big B says:
May 29, 2016 at 4:39 pm
@ Mounia;
I enjoyed your comments and you are quite correct, Jehovah’s Witnesses are not a Christian religion because ‘you can tell them by their fruits’ –Matt. 7:16
The fruit they (WBTS i.e. Jehovah’s Witnesses) produce is rotten to the core. Spying on one another, rumor mongering, pedophile protecting, brow beating their adherents into more un-paid field service while begging for more contributions is not the Gospels idea of a “faithful and discrete slave”. Maybe an “evil slave”, yes?
You are correct; the WTBTS will never change and its hopeless to try to change them. It is better to leave them and never return to such a destructive, mind bending, sick cult.
Thank you for your comments from France! 🙂
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Garrett says:
May 29, 2016 at 7:26 pm
Read the book “Crisis of Conscience”
It will blow you away…
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Minion says:
May 29, 2016 at 11:54 pm
@ M,
Correction on WT getting worse and worse.
The Watchtower Corporation is, “Your New and Improved” for the next 150 years. And perhaps one day sooner than later,
be “JW.org Your New and Improved”.
The Watchtower Corporation will be a forgotten word, just like Jesus Christ.
Peace out,
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Grace says:
May 29, 2016 at 3:02 pm
Please, please do an article on the “Bunker” video!
It’s so funny & cultish at the same time. Someone on the Facebook page started a “Save Kevin” campaign with a t’shirt as well. I love it, I think it’s hilarious & scary at the same time.
That assembly won’t be here in Australia until near the end of the year. I think if I had family still in, I would be cheeky & wear it but not say anything. And if they asked, I would say; it’s just a t-shirt I bought online. Then wait until they went to the assembly to see if they twigged. LOL.
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Grace says:
May 29, 2016 at 3:13 pm
Also, my husband caught a line in that video that seemed strange. One of the ‘sisters’ made the comment that the message had changed from “The Good News to Judgement”.
Does this tie in with the extreme shunning video? Judging everyone thats not extreme like they are?
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Ren says:
May 29, 2016 at 5:40 pm
This line scares me a bit, Grace. It’s a sign of paranoia to think people are after you, or will be after you. By saying the message will change to judgement, producing radical life-threatening persecution, Watchtower is trying to induce this amongst their pawns. The scene where the SWAT team come in sends the message to prepare for Wacco-type conditions of persecution. I’ve heard versions of this great tribulation stuff my entire life, but this is different. And my daughter and two young grandchildren are smack dab in the middle of it. *bites fingernails*
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Simon Williams says:
May 30, 2016 at 12:45 am
Their current idea is that there’ll be a period where they stop saying ‘the end is coming’ and, instead, start saying ‘the end is here and you didn’t listen to us’. Never forget, God is love.
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Covert Fade says:
May 30, 2016 at 6:58 am
Your wish for coverage of the bunker video will indeed be granted, 😉
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Grace says:
May 30, 2016 at 1:46 pm
Thank you CF.
Looking forward to it. There’s so many things that could be made fun of because they leave themselves open with their silliness.
After we watched it the other day, we couldn’t stop laughing. The slowed down speaking, the acting (as they sit calmly while there’s chaos outside), the fake cheesy smile from the sister that lead a simple life & not to mention poor old Kevin!
Kevin began questioning & became negative & stopped wanting to go out witnessing. We don’t see what Kevin’s questions were. They could’ve been questions about the ARC, child abuse,607, the UN thingy. Legitimate questions & was fobbed off as an apostate by the Elders & locked out of the bunker.
Meanwhile, Brother Paedo has volunteered to take care of the young ones in his bunker.
LOL, that Bunker video needs a parody.
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AnonymousL0pht says:
May 29, 2016 at 3:12 pm
Stunning parallels between Watchtower, Inc cult and the Cult of Chairman Mao.
The release of the Silver Sword and the ensuing galleries of photos showing enthused adherents clutching the book to their face or holding it aloft made my spine chill as it reminded me of the similar photos of Chinese youth holding aloft Chairman Mao’s “Little Red Book”.
And, now, I am retching as I see even stronger parallels with children who would send their parents to their deaths, or parents who would send their children to their deaths. Keep in mind that when China discovered an “overpopulation of little females” it drove parents to take extreme measures to comply with the Party.
The parallel reminds how the Watchtower implies that men and women should take extreme measures in pursuit of a life devoted to a “god” of mortal creation–the Watchtower. (Romans 1:22, 24-27). It does not surprise me that these same men & women rail against homosexuality and pedophilia in the open, because in the deepest recesses and darkest pits of their hearts is where perversion lies.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/27/china-cultural-revolution-sons-guilt-zhang-hongping
https://www.chathamhouse.org/publications/twt/archive/view/198597
http://ed5015.tripod.com/JwBooksCirculation.htm
http://chineseposters.net/themes/mao-cult.php
http://ed5015.tripod.com/JwBooksCirculation.htm
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Garrett says:
May 29, 2016 at 7:23 pm
Brilliant observation and comment!
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ruthlee says:
May 30, 2016 at 3:28 am
superb and informative L0pht ruthlee
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Erikius says:
May 29, 2016 at 4:23 pm
I thought I had finished my activism and comments on several ex JW forums, but whenever I read about the shunning practice of this notorious movement I just cannot keep silent.
The Watchtower will fall, and here are some of the reasons why. It has been my theory for several years, and I think we’re on the edge of change.
Over the last decades there has been a collective escalating cognitive dissonance build-up in the minds. of members. Yes, those conflicting thoughts have been repressed by individuals over long periods of time and years of massive propaganda from the Org , but they are still there in the collective subconscious of the member mass. In my opinion, this dissonance has been lately highly increasing, and is on the edge of bringing about the big schism. It’s when the balance is being upset, when thoughts of confusion and uncertainty is carefully being expressed among more and more witnesses. THEN when these viewpoints begin to flourish, and the fear syndrome is shrinking for expressing them, THEN the ‘landslide’ will come.
But will it happen?
I left the Org. in the late 80s, because of its ethical /philosophical fundament, and I went into academia studying the science of religion and psychology of religion. This was in the 90s. (A really great time of learning for me however ). I remember at one lecture there was the topic of schism being discussed, and the lecturer held that within any religion or ideology over time, there will be schism or several schisms. It ALWAYS happened he claimed. The more doctrinal stringent the movement appeared, the more certainty of a division developing.
I have always since then wondered when this would come to pass within the Watchtower. Yes there have been schisms through the years, but those were by no means affecting the organisation to any degree. The dissidents were few, and it was no problem for the Watchtower leadership to suppress those divisions. Back then, information was both sparse and difficult to obtain. Most members were happily ignorant. The big wheels of the WT just kept rolling on.
Today things are completely different. We are flooded with information (and disinformation) and have to be selective in our search after what’s true. The Internet is there with unfathomable amounts of information. Yes, this information is easily accessible to the witnesses, and they do read it, even if in secret. The Watchtowers murky history, all the lure, deceptions and deceit, repressions and revisionism will be exposed, and it will build into the witnesses dissonance syndrome, dislocating ‘the balance’ as I mentioned above. It’s an ongoing increasing process.
Witnesses are of course just as intelligent as any of us, but they are indoctrinated and still under the evil grip of fear, but that will not last forever! The rigid Worldwide Church of God (founded by Herbert W. Armstrong) came down! The communist iron curtain states came down, and it happened quickly.
Systems like the Watchtower with its doctrines of ever increasing commands and prohibitions, retrograding the religion back to the legalistic structure of the Old Testament, cannot exist forever parallel to the free worlds developed system of agreed ethics and rights for all humankind. It will have to change!
Systems like the Watchtower will be exposed and fall because of its inhuman evil and destructive practice of shunning!
They will be exposed and fall because of their handling of the child molestation crimes!
They will be exposed and fall because of their arrogance, pride and incredible hypocrisy!
Systems like the Watchtower will be exposed and fall because what they have claimed for decades as ‘truth’ is NOT true! Regretfully (or fortunately) it is a big hoax! The hoax of the century! So the Watchtower will come down because they will be exposed by their own
And now I think we’re on the edge. It will fall! It will happen!
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Truthsetsfree says:
May 29, 2016 at 5:50 pm
I appreciate your input thank you
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Truthsetsfree says:
May 29, 2016 at 5:50 pm
Interesting
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Winston Smith says:
May 30, 2016 at 6:31 am
Erikius
When you mention the “hoax of the century” I thought specifically, the 20th century. All of their prophecies and all of their methods fit only within the confines of 20th century reasoning and technology. The 2 world wars and the following Cold War fit well with their doomsday philosophy. With these things now well in the past and the age of information upon us, their methods no longer fit. They are struggling to stay viable in the 21st century and their survival is unlikely without extreme changes (at which point they will no longer be the same religion much like the Church of God).
WS
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Winston Smith says:
May 30, 2016 at 6:39 am
Not to get too far off topic, but I recently saw an interesting article by Michael Shermer about the top 10 weirdest beliefs. One of which was ‘end of the world’ beliefs. In part he states:
“In 1843 a New York farmer named William Miller recalculated Bishop Ussher’s famous computations for the beginning and end of the world (using the begats in the Old Testament), concluding that it would happen sometime between March 21, 1843 and March 21, 1844. When the latter date came and went without incident a “great disappointment” set in among his followers, but instead of abandoning their deranged prophet the sect recalculated the end for October 22, 1844, finding themselves twice disappointed. But instead of disbanding the group doubled down on their belief (the very definition of cognitive dissonance) and employed several rationalizations that prophets use when their prophecies fail: (1) miscalculation of the date; (2) the date was a loose prediction, not a specific prophecy; (3) the date was a warning, not a prophecy; (4) God changed his mind; (5) predictions were just a test of members’ faith; (6) the prophecy was fulfilled physi- cally, but not as expected; and (7) the prophecy was fulfilled—spiritually.
That group went on to become the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. But they’re lightweights compared to the Jehovah’s Witnesses, whose failed dates of doom include 1874, 1878, 1881, 1910, 1914, 1918, 1920, 1925, 1975, 1984, and finally 1996.”
WS
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RetiredLE says:
May 30, 2016 at 7:22 am
@Erikius
‘Out of the mouth of babes’ – a youngster made a typical single phrase comment at the WT this week…..crystal clear and loudly… ‘the Faithful and “Deceit” Slave’ …. an awkward silence and then a round of great laughter and side glances…. Your synopsis is insightful and spot on. It is happening….the dominoes fall…
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Erikius says:
May 30, 2016 at 12:29 pm
@ Winston
Yes, the 20th century was certainly what I had in mind. Let’s hope we won’t have to look to far into this new century before the change will manifest for the WT.
I sometimes have a tendency to wander a bit off topic, especially when it comes to shunning and blood prohibition practices. It just makes me so desperate, and I get carried away.
And thanks for mentioning the Michael Shermer article. I will load down that one. It will be some amusing reading I presume. 🙂
@ RetiredLE
LOL!! I really had a good laugh at that one. Maybe that little episode could have its effect. Excellent!
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peggy says:
May 30, 2016 at 11:56 am
@Erikius, Very well put! I look forward to this day and event soon. Your logical argument for WT demise is right on. Let the light shine in.
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Mandy Greenaway says:
May 29, 2016 at 4:59 pm
Good news for us actually. My completely unreasonable mother in law just left us this afternoon. She arrived with the statement “I don’t want to fight”. Well, she was a liar. That’s all she wanted to do. So I asked “based on some of your recent organizations broadcasts, we are having a hard time understanding how you are justifying visiting us as we are inactive, living contrary to the laws of God you say you hold so high, apostate because we no longer attend meetings or agree with your teachings.” We really received no answer other than ‘no one is going to tell me who I can or can’t see’ (guess she doesn’t believe it either but won’t admit it.) She did ask us not to put her in a position of having to choose as it won’t turn out well. We calmly pointed out that, based on that sentence, she has already made her choice. If this convention means she will finally make this “difficult choice” than praise her invisible, fake God. I will definitely be able to go to my room, look in my mirror and KNOW that, despite being a godless woman, I am a better person than this supposed faithful witness. Praise be as Megareverand John Oliver says!!!!
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Minion says:
May 30, 2016 at 12:18 am
@ M,
To bad your mum did not attend the meeting today and hear the WT study on par.13, the must read scripture was John 13:34,35. My employee Marvin raised his hand and commented, but, included 1 John 4:20,21, its the scripture on ‘love god, hate your brother or (shun) then your a lair’.
Marvin’s congregation only 2 comments were allowed.
Only 2 comments, are you freanking kidding me, that’s really sad, and it’s web sites like JWsurvey will no doubt use it as a platform and shred the erroneous attitude from the WT and ‘written beyond the scriptures attitude’.
It’s going to be up to us, against the WT.
Knowledge is understand and powerful. . . .
Peace out,
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Truthsetsfree says:
May 29, 2016 at 5:45 pm
How dare you question those little weasels behind the curtain at the end of the yellow brick road?
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Mama Joy says:
May 29, 2016 at 5:53 pm
Wow! Sounds like a cult to me.
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Thetruthsetsfree says:
May 29, 2016 at 6:21 pm
I served as an elder, and a ministerial servant, and although I have met some of the best people in the world in the organization ,I have to say the majority of Jehovah’s Witnesses that I knew were nothing but a bunch of judgmental, gossiping, backstabbing, hypocritical, self-righteous people! The whole structure of the organization and its teachings is geared towards making people to behave in that manner.
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Winston Smith says:
May 30, 2016 at 9:17 am
You hit the nail on the head! My wife is still in and used to ask me if I’d go to some social event (like a congregation picnic, although those are technically forbidden). My answer was always “no.” Why not? Your apt description is the reason. Who’d want to waste a Saturday hanging out with such people. My so-called “worldly” friends are people of much higher caliber.
WS
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Truthsetsfree says:
May 30, 2016 at 5:59 pm
WS that is so true my new “worldly friends” dont put up with that kind conduct! It is soooooooo nice to get together with a friend now and not have to listen and put up with the Constant judging !!!
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ligniappe says:
May 31, 2016 at 6:19 am
Thetruthsetsfree says: the majority of Jehovah’s Witnesses that I knew were nothing but a bunch of judgmental, gossiping, backstabbing, hypocritical, self-righteous people!
Hey, don’t hold back now, tell us what you really think.
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Thetruthsetsfree says:
May 29, 2016 at 6:28 pm
For all those that are or were one of Jehovah’s Witnesses you know this is true! Out in field service the pioneers talk about what everybody in the congregation is not doing! And if they don’t straighten out and start doing what they should and getting out in field service they’re going to have to answer to Jehovah! And this person is doing this! And that person is not doing that! Gossip! Gossip! Judge! Judge! It goes on and on . If you’re not getting 10 hours in a month you’re not setting the example! Now that I am out and looking back in I cannot believe I wasted over 30 years in this organization .
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Garrett says:
May 29, 2016 at 7:18 pm
Amen!
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ruthlee says:
May 30, 2016 at 3:35 am
Oh truthsets free! we fabricate our hours to keep the baby eating bishops off our back. The justification is that god is not bothered one iota about reporting. But I have to say I use the Bible only and never invite them anywhere cheers Ruthlee
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Thetruthsetsfree says:
May 30, 2016 at 7:17 am
Ruthlee, that is so true I still have friends in the organization that have not shunned me actually they’ve treated me very well! But they tell me all the time that they make sure they put the number 10 or if not more down no matter what! Yes to keep the circuit overseer the elders off their backs
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Nakanocchi says:
May 29, 2016 at 7:34 pm
Japan’s J-dubs fear possible implosion
because of Org’s severe shunning policy !
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Garrett says:
May 29, 2016 at 7:51 pm
How can the ever clever Japanese believe that these 7 white pigs are sent by God almighty? You would think they would just wonder why God CHOSE all his most holy from America? What an incredible coincidence !
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Chiafade says:
May 29, 2016 at 10:04 pm
That’s interesting, one of the last CO visits I attended before my exit he held up the Japanese JWs as an example. He said “half (maybe it’s more? I don’t care )of the publisher base are regular pioneers” then he asked “does anyone know why” the answer “because the Japanese are already predisposed to be obedient”. I was like WTF is he talking about. This crap AGAIN. It’s not the first time I heard that. The organization loves to boast about their Japanese slaves. I hope there is an implosion.
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ScotWm says:
May 29, 2016 at 9:53 pm
During my 30 years as an active Witness, I made many friends within the the organization. These friends included elders, ministerial servants, pioneers and regular publishers. Some of my Witness friends and I occasionally drank too much, used foul language, had questionable associations, talked badly about various congregation members, questioned Watchtower doctrine and violated traffic laws — among other things. In other words, we were just typical Watchtower cult members.
Beause we were friends, we were not tattletales and we let the little infractions slide. But now, the Governing Body is setting the stage for a rush to judgment. If an inactive Witness can be called an apostate, it won’t be long before active Witnesses will be called apostates when they commit even the smallest infractions, or fail to report others for these infractions.
As the climate of fear increases within the Watchtower cult, brothers and sisters will begin to turn on each other. The Governing Body has always equated strict obedience to Watchtower rules with eternal salvation. The shunning doctrine will become the Governing Body’s most powerful weapon and it will be used extensively to maintain control over cult members.
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Minion says:
May 30, 2016 at 12:30 am
@ S,
Perhaps there goal is to manage and Lord over themselves the 7 – shameless, heartless and evil men.
Eliminate the 8 million Zombie’s JWs. And keep all the ice cream money in the new bunker compound.
We’re not invited to the dance boys and girls!
Peace out,
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ScotWm says:
May 30, 2016 at 10:19 am
The Governing Body has already made some very revealing statements:
“We need to obey the faithful and discreet slave to have Jehovah’s approval.” — Watchtower 2011 Jul 15 p.24 Simplified English Edition.
And the Governing Body has already made this endgame proclamation: “At that time, the lifesaving direction that we receive from Jehovah’s organization may not appear practical from a human standpoint. All of us must be ready to obey any instructions we may receive, whether these appear sound from a strategic or human standpoint or not. — Watchtower, Nov. 2013 (study edition) p. 20 par. 17.
The Governing Body may be in the process of alienating 99% of its cult members so that they can sell off most Watchtower assets. This would allow them to concentrate a thousand faithful, hardcore Watchtower zombies at the new Wallkill compound.
This is how Jonestown got started.
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Winston Smith says:
May 30, 2016 at 9:23 am
Sounds like a set up for the next Spanish Inquisition to me. Forgive me but I cannot help but share the link to what comes to mind when I say that phrase: https://youtu.be/Nf_Y4MbUCLY
WS
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Telescopium says:
May 30, 2016 at 10:23 am
No! Not the comfy chair!
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Sarah says:
May 30, 2016 at 11:31 am
Although the GB has been watching this website I don’t think they’ve seen this video.
Reply
Tara says:
May 31, 2016 at 6:30 am
Not the Spanish Inquisition!
Reply
Daniel Casey says:
May 29, 2016 at 10:10 pm
I’m sure in my heart that a big move in this direction is equally to keep inactive ones from talking to Jws familys and friends about what evidence they found that it is a CULT,,,,,,,,,, Ruuuuun Forrest Ruuuuun! Lol. I think the Org will fold up their tables and go home when it quits being lucrative. I here the walls or the Castle Watchtower start to crumble,,, and Jesus and our Father calling Let My People Go!!! If every JW got disfellowshipped there would be no one to SHUN us!!! Old friends and familys would rejoice with the freedom of bondage gone! I look forward to seeing many old friends and family! I believe that Many that are barely hanging on that know better will walk out when they see just how much more is being away from their life. I see a crack in the wall!
Reply
Cheryl says:
May 29, 2016 at 10:36 pm
So is this for baptised ones or unbaptised too?
Reply
Sarah says:
May 29, 2016 at 10:37 pm
It’s obvious the GB has been reading this website. They want to close a loophole.
Reply
Winston Smith says:
May 30, 2016 at 9:25 am
Sun Tzu: know thine enemy, eh?
WS
Reply
JBob says:
May 30, 2016 at 6:52 pm
Well most likely, the elders and CO’s have been inundated with “church ladies” asking, “I was over to Sr Y’s house for their family reunion and in walked her inactive daughter with her worldly boyfriend, I felt uncomfortable, but is it okay to be at a gathering with [insert label here, or “those kinds of people”]?”
“{Charlie Brown school teacher mumbling from elder and CO}….it is a matter of personal conscience.”
So, remember kiddies, it is always better to seek forgiveness rather than permission.
Reply
gary says:
May 29, 2016 at 11:58 pm
Though it may not be positive individually it’s great news as a group. The WT realise that people fade, they are aware of the influence of the Internet and how to combat their mind control with sound reasonings and facts ( we have the experience as JWs to know what is being said is true) and leave the WT without sanctions. . . They’re frightened
Reply
Kate says:
May 30, 2016 at 12:02 am
May I know the source for the “everyday sins” cited ?
Reply
Telescopium says:
May 30, 2016 at 11:15 am
@Kate,
The elder manual entitled “Shepherd The Flock Of God” lists quite a few actions that would/could warrant a judicial investigation by a committee. They are:
Manslaughter
Attempted Suicide
Porneia
Brazen Conduct/Loose Conduct (including: association with disfellowshipped nonrelatives, child sexual abuse, pursuing romance with someone not free to marry, circumstantial evidence of assumed sexual relations between individuals not married or same-sex)
Gross Uncleanness (including: heavy petting, immoral conversations, viewing pornography, misuse of tobacco, extreme physical uncleanness)
Misuse Of Addictive Drugs
Apostasy (including: celebrating false religious holidays, interfaith activities, spreading teachings contrary to Bible truth as taught by Jehovah’s Witnesses, causing divisions, employment that promotes false worship, spiritism, idolatry)
Drunkenness
Gluttony
Stealing
Malicious Lying
Fraud, Slander
Reviling
Obscene Speech
Greed (including: gambling, extortion)
Extorting A High Bride Price
Refusal To Provide For your Family
Fits Of Anger, Violence
Professional Boxing
The list of disassociation offenses is covered in a different chapter and includes:
A Decision To No Longer Be Known As A JW
Joining Another Religion
Taking Blood
Taking A Non-Neutral Position
The only item in Covert Fade’s list not directly mentioned here is Celebrating Birthdays, which is blessed with its own jw.org entry at:https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/faq/birthdays/
As you can see, the list covers a wide range of activites that are understood to be sins. Some of them are illegal in many countries. Others are preferences in which the Organization should heed the words found in Romans 14.
But, alas…
Reply
Kate says:
May 30, 2016 at 12:47 pm
@ Telescopium Thank you. And yes, despite Romans 14, members are either directly or indirectly encouraged to judge one another.
Reply
Telescopium says:
May 30, 2016 at 1:39 pm
Completely agree. We were basically taught that we were right and everybody else was wrong. It took me a while to understand that others will do things differently than I would – AND THAT’S OK!
It’s been a long road…
Reply
JBob says:
May 30, 2016 at 8:40 pm
Well, for those that are not shunning me here…
Refusal To Provide For your Family – guilty, I’m cleaning toilets for a living so I can special pioneer.
I’d like to point out that the “Birthday” FAQ quotes a book that is also quoted by a number of other “adventist” groups which also don’t celebrate birthdays (and splinter groups off the old “Worldwide Church of God”). But, this book “The Lore of Birthdays” was published in 1952 by an anthropologist not a theologian. “He’s dead, Jim.” And, probably no estate executor to object to mangled quotations. Once again, the Watchtower and other extremists use antiquated facts to prop up a fallacy. It’s also interesting to note that all of the major anti-birthday celebration groups are sliding away from Pharaoh and Herod stories and emphasizing the pagan influences and origins.
Yet, no one seems to remember Jewish “bar/bat mitzvah” or Hebrew Bible references to “coming of age” for military service in Exodus and Numbers, thus a CIRCUMSTANTIAL INFERENCE of marking birthday anniversaries.
Once again, as someone else noted, cherry-picking which pagan emblems and rituals get the boot or embraced, just like Mosaic Law observances.
[shuffling Tarot Cards; fyi, “Numerology is any belief in the divine, mystical relationship between a number and one or more coinciding events”–1914, 1925, 1975, etc; mon dieu!].
Gambling–I put money on an insurance policy [Lutherans once considered buying insurance a form of gambling].
Oxycodone and oxycontin bottles–check!
Antibiotics for the porneia and brazen phases of this project–check!
Now, leave me alone (except for the aforementioned project phases), I’m working my way down this list–if I’m being shunned, I might as well make it count!!
Reply
Mandy Greenaway says:
May 31, 2016 at 9:31 am
The only two things on the list we can’t make work for us is relations with an unmarried partner (happily married) and same sex relations (I’m a chick. He’s a dude) Damn. Can’t score 100% this time.
Reply
Tara says:
May 31, 2016 at 2:00 pm
Oh oh I checked of 5….. I’m dooomed!
Reply
Telescopium says:
May 31, 2016 at 2:38 pm
Well, I guess we now have a list of events for the next Apostate Olympics.
ruthlee says:
June 1, 2016 at 5:42 am
Hey I got 12 so i’m betterer than you Tara. I missed out on boxing because I have a pretty face and cant afford to have my teeth fixed! Too broke to extort a high bride price shame really as all my chattels must be worth a few quid. My best get out of jail free and I want a badge, when I attempted suicide I was threatened with jc but because of being of tender years at the time they erred on the side of mercy,wasn’t that nice. tee hee cheers Ruthlee
gary says:
May 30, 2016 at 12:26 am
Consider from WTs point of view. One disaffected fader (free thinker) within a family group can have a huge impact.
They know that the natural bond is powerful. By their inserting ‘obedience’ the inward struggle begins for the faithful witness.
Why, if your a faithful witness, is there no open discussion?, give give give, even your family if they ask you to do so. Conscience is your key.
Reply
David says:
May 30, 2016 at 12:36 am
Nope. This is not new. The only thing new about this, is the higher awareness about it.
Reply
gary says:
May 30, 2016 at 12:49 am
If your an active witness consider it from a scriptural point of view. The apostles were inspired, the Governing body admits that it is not.
If then we are told to ‘Test the inspired’ statements ‘as though from us’ (presented with as much authority as the inspired apostles) and reject that which is not in harmony, why is it you can’t without being labelled as an apostate? Do you have to accept every teaching by the GB?, that is clearly unscriptural.
Have JW ever taught a false teaching such as being appointed over all the masters belongings and you HAD to accept it on the pain of DF?
It is not about ‘truth’ it’s about power and authority, that’s why many of us are here.
Reply
Winston Smith says:
May 30, 2016 at 9:30 am
The master has delayed (e.g. 1874, 1914, 1918, 1925, 1945, 1975, 2000, etc.), so now they proceed to beat their fellow slaves and eat & drink with drunkards.
WS
Reply
ruthlee says:
May 30, 2016 at 3:42 am
Oh joy ! I think I’m in a happy mood today. You know they may just start their own great tribulation all by their little ol’ selves. We will be shunned hurrah! and then they can turn on the next layer of undesirables. You know God said he will rock the nations and get his desireable things in Himself but the jolly little gb are running ahead as usual, however they cannot do gods job.cheers Ruthlee
Reply
Caroline says:
May 30, 2016 at 4:01 am
I listened to the videos CappyTan posted and they give me a stomach ache but one thing I get out of it that I think we can all use. They had pioneer couple in those videos who sold their house and went where the need was great. They were too “comfortable”.
We can say we saw those videos and then the next time anybody says anything to us, we can ask them if they are willing to sell their house and move to where the need is great and then ask them how much “faith” do they have if they don’t do that.
Reply
ScotWm says:
May 30, 2016 at 2:04 pm
Regarding “… move to where the need is great …”
I know personally of a wealthy, pompous elder who saw things differently. He moved where he thought the great were needed.
This elder moved into a congregation that Watchtower leaders thought needed help. After arriving, he began to impose his personal Watchtower doctrinal interpretations on the congregation.
After causing irreparable harm to the congregation, this elder moved on to disrupt other congregations. My guess is that the congregations he left gave him glowing letters of introduction just to get rid of him.
Reply
KimJones says:
May 30, 2016 at 5:41 pm
Scotwn, I think that was my brother you’re talking about. My brother did that. It sounds like it’s him.
Reply
Caroline says:
May 30, 2016 at 4:02 am
https://youtu.be/Cjku3W8lIvw
CappyTan’s video.
Reply
Paranoid Android says:
May 30, 2016 at 5:31 am
Yup. Please watch. It’s almost funny if it wasn’t so damn scary too…
Also.. the main elder is not only the worst actor ever… but also is very camp…
I didn’t think effeminate men were allowed?
He needs to come out of the closet before he comes out of the bunker. ..
https://youtu.be/wNtlDybBVA8
Reply
ScotWm says:
May 30, 2016 at 11:21 am
Thanks for the link to the Great Tribulation “Bunker” video. Until today, I had only seen the preview trailer. Now that sinful apostates must be shunned, the “judgment message” will be coming soon.
If this video is part of the 2016 “Remain Loyal to the Governing Body” assembly, it is not shown in the Convention Releases section of JW dot ORG and it does not appear in the “latest videos” section of TV dot JW dot ORG. Is this a video that has been leaked by a Bethel apostate?
Reply
Anonymous says:
May 30, 2016 at 9:33 pm
@Paranoid – I append to your bunker video from CappyTan with one copyright-legal Netflix video trailer. (I would have never gotten Netflix if the Watchtower had not encouraged me to buy a Roku device which has it onboard…funny how that works out that way.)
https://youtu.be/mNKEKlXY3Z4
Reply
Paranoid Android says:
May 31, 2016 at 8:12 am
Haha! This is too funny…
Great line from one of the ladies coming out of the bunker after a decade… She looks ar the city and says…
‘It’s all still here…’
Sadly with the JW’S in the bunker they are actually causing their own personal apocalypse.
In some countries you will be hunted down for being in an extremist cult.
Giving away your freedom and lives for those arrogant conmen in New York.
Tragic.
Reply
Sarah says:
May 31, 2016 at 12:35 am
From ‘good news to judgment’? What scripture is that based on? Matt 24 says the good news would be preached and then the end would come. No mention of any judgment message there.
Reply
Paranoid Android says:
May 31, 2016 at 8:20 am
Good point.
I’m not sure why the almighty would want or need that lobotomised group of personality devoid robots to pronounce his judgement anyway.
Surely he’s got some spiritual special effects crew in the heavenly ranks waiting for their cue…
Having an Angel roar ‘You ignored the good news and now it’s too late!’ ….has got to have more impact than Brother Brown mumbling it…
Surely?
Reply
Hakizimana Jean de Dieu says:
May 30, 2016 at 6:44 am
I have just taken the NIH Web-based training course “Protecting Human Research Participants” and got a Certification of Completion from the National Institute of Health (NIH) Office of Extramural Research.
Unless we take such courses and understand the value of human dignity, no one will beat the WTS. This is an organization built on exploitation of ignorance of its followers, locked in walls of Kingdom Halls worldwide.
They are studying unethically humans! You, too, can take the course from ttps://phrp.nihtraining.com/users/login.php
The WTS supports this idea: “Intellectually a giant, today’s humanity is spiritually a pigmy. It values money more than goods, and goods more than man.” (See g74 8/22 p. 30)!
Reply
RH says:
May 30, 2016 at 9:30 am
Hmmm. I wonder when, or if they’re going to extend this policy to others….including ‘unbelieving mates.’ That’s the category I am in, and I get on well with my wife since I set up strict boundries a couple of years ago. Yes, I pulled the ‘head of household’ card & used it not just for my sake, but for the sake of my kids as well. Putting my foot down & becoming somewhat ‘hardass’ wasn’t fun, but it was neccessary. My thoughts go out to non-JW wives married to zealous JW husbands.
Anyway, I wonder if those Gov Body clowns are going to be stupid enough to extend shunning to us ‘infidel’ mates.
Reply
ScotWm says:
May 30, 2016 at 10:42 am
Regarding “… I wonder if those Gov Body clowns are going to be stupid enough to extend shunning to us ‘infidel’ mates.”
The shunning doctrine now dictates that family members, who are not married to each other, must shun inactive sinful apostates.
If the Governing Body announces that apostasy is now scriptural grounds for shunning a marriage mate, you will have your answer. Once husbands and wives begin shunning each other, the apostate mate will probably commit the sexual indiscretion required for divorce. Even if there is no sexual misconduct, the married couple would probably separate.
After all, isn’t destroying families what the Watchtower shunning doctrine all about?
Reply
Hakizimana Jean de Dieu says:
May 30, 2016 at 11:57 am
Hhhhh! I wonder how ‘infidel’ mates.” fail to realized they are shunned! What is shunning? The power of WTS is to have power on people who cannot understand its language… consider the following you will realize you are shunned beyond your imagination.
*** w11 6/15 p. 22 par. 13 “Shepherd the Flock of God in Your Care” ***
Over the years, Masanao, an elder in Japan, invited single ones and spiritually fatherless families to his family’s study. In time, some who were helped became elders themselves and imitated Masanao’s fine example.
Reply
RH says:
May 30, 2016 at 11:05 pm
I left out the fact that I’ve NEVER BEEN a JW. Not even an ‘unbaptized publisher.’ My wife converted soon after we got married. We got along fine, but I did have to set some stern boundaries a few years back. Since then, she’s come across as…more respectful? Perhaps I’m out ‘eldering’ the elders & it turns her on. I dunno. What I do know is that many JW women allow themselves to be walked-on by the males in the cong. Lot’s of control freaks there…not letting their wives go on ‘girl’s night out’ with their friends, for example.
Bunch of egotistical jerks those elders are…and I even told ’em that.
Reply
James Broughton says:
May 30, 2016 at 9:42 am
I notice several contributors use the phrase ‘climate of fear’. I absolutely agree. When a group such as the JWs face criticism, one common response is to pull up the drawbridge. When people become disillusioned, or, as in my case, find a better alternative and leave, they have to be made a scapegoat. The Jewish religious leaders tried it with the early Christians by demanding that the good news “spread no further”. Truth will prevail.
Reply
James Broughton says:
May 30, 2016 at 9:42 am
I notice several contributors use the phrase ‘climate of fear’. I absolutely agree. When a group such as the JWs face criticism, one common response is to pull up the drawbridge. When people become disillusioned, or, as in my case, find a better alternative and leave, they have to be made a scapegoat. The Jewish religious leaders tried it with the early Christians by demanding that the good news “spread no further”. Truth will prevail.
Reply
rob says:
May 30, 2016 at 11:24 am
Family ties are something that the witness religion does not and probably never will recognize or value.
The only family ties that are important are the ties to the “new family” in the congregation, that one acquires when they become a witness. Shunning the non witness family members becomes inconsequential. They will be destroyed at Armaghedon and therefore really no longer matter.
Unfortunately the new family is judgemental, conditional, pretentious, cliquey, and will throw anyone away who does not follow the rules.
Reply
Margaret Ferrier says:
May 30, 2016 at 1:08 pm
I am one of these ‘faded’ ones I became a baptised Christian and my brother will no longer associate with me. He keeps in touch with one of my daughters who threw her husband out and lives with someone else celebrates Christmas Easter birthdays but now looks like that relationship is now doomed x
Reply
rob says:
May 30, 2016 at 1:25 pm
Just a quick question. If they require a fader to be shunned because of celebrating christmas, birthdays, etc. Would that fader be allowed to go to a witness wedding reception with their spouse who is still a witness?
There are currently no sanctions for faders, but I assume that the fact that a fader will need to be shunned will translate into a refusal to have them attend witness functions.
Reply
KimJones says:
May 30, 2016 at 5:57 pm
Rob, Here’s my experience, I married an unbeliever and became inactive. I was shunned by my family for celebrating Christmas with my husband and his two young kids. My JW niece married. My father invited my husband and I to the wedding and to the reception. My husband and I sat at a table with my dad and his wife. One of my nieces walked up to the table and said to my dad, “They’re ready for you upstairs.” I didn’t know what was going on. My dad didn’t explain at that moment. Later I learned from him my JW family deliberately left my husband and I out of the family photo group picture taken by a professional. I’m still mad about it. My husband told his mother who was studying at the time and she stopped studying. When I told my sister about it she blamed me! This, shunning inactive ones who are sinners is nothing new.
Reply
rob says:
May 30, 2016 at 1:27 pm
Just a quick question. If they require a fader to be shunned because of celebrating christmas, birthdays, etc. Would that fader be allowed to go to a witness wedding reception with their spouse who is still a witness?
There are currently no sanctions for faders, but I assume that the fact that a fader will need to be shunned will translate into a refusal to have them attend witness wedding receptions.
Reply
KimJones says:
May 30, 2016 at 5:58 pm
Rob, Here’s my experience, I married an unbeliever and became inactive. I was shunned by my family for celebrating Christmas with my husband and his two young kids. My JW niece married. My father invited my husband and I to the wedding and to the reception. My husband and I sat at a table with my dad and his wife. One of my nieces walked up to the table and said to my dad, “They’re ready for you upstairs.” I didn’t know what was going on. My dad didn’t explain at that moment. Later I learned from him my JW family deliberately left my husband and I out of the family photo group picture taken by a professional. I’m still mad about it. My husband told his mother who was studying at the time and she stopped studying. When I told my sister about it she blamed me! This, shunning inactive ones who are sinners is nothing new.
Reply
wish2bfader says:
May 30, 2016 at 2:00 pm
This is not a new policy:
“If the sinful conduct is known only to believing
family members and no congregation action has
been taken, believing relatives will likely determine
to curtail family association severely, viewing the relative
as bad association.—1 Cor. 15:33; w85 7/15 p. 19
par. 14.”
Reply
JBob says:
May 30, 2016 at 9:19 pm
From the wiki entry for Grace Communion International (the new moniker for what was WCoG):
“___’s church was both authoritarian and totalitarian in its treatment of the membership. To maintain member loyalty, _____’s ministers indoctrinated them that they had been “called” by God into the only true Christian church on Earth and that all other Christian churches were Satanic counterfeits. If a called member were to question church doctrines, the member would be in peril of losing salvation and being cast into the lake of fire on Judgment Day. Further, ministers could arbitrarily disfellowship suspect members for *any* type of disloyalty. Disfellowshipping was openly announced in _____ services on a weekly basis but the reasons were rarely given.”
*This group had 1972 projected as “the end” (later 1975). Both this WCoG and Watchtower imploded about the same time–one fiscally, the other internal strife.
References:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grace_Communion_International#Beginnings
(7th paragraph in this section)
Reply
Doc Obvious says:
May 30, 2016 at 5:37 pm
To take a quote from George Takei, “Oh, my! Now we will have nosey Watchtower elders snooping around the private lives of people. Wonderful. The invasion of privacy at an all time high. Time to get your lawyer involved. More lawsuits for Watchtower. Lawsuits, Lawsuits, and Lawsuits. Remember, you can’t fix stupid.
Reply
Caroline says:
May 30, 2016 at 7:43 pm
Can you do an article about the talk about our funerals? I think they want the elders getting involved in our funerals because they want to make sure the families don’t inherit their parent’s money. I have never heard a talk like that before.
Reply
Tara says:
May 30, 2016 at 9:17 pm
What? what! say what?!
Reply
Caroline says:
May 31, 2016 at 4:50 am
It’s about half-way through this talk about blood. They want the rank and file to have their funeral “arrangements” made by witnesses and stress having them made in writing to make sure non-witness relatives won’t take their money I think.
https://youtu.be/Cjku3W8lIvw
Reply
JBob says:
May 30, 2016 at 9:25 pm
Search YouTube for a video from “LivingNow” (think I spelled that correctly?)
“Jehovah’s Witnesses and Money”
https://youtu.be/B9UeNxi3oKw
Reply
ruthlee says:
May 31, 2016 at 12:59 am
I have had my wacky thought for the day. Maybe instead of shunning us they could get us to pay for our sins and then everyone will feel better. If they called them let’s say “indulgences” so like kindly uncles they could forgive us every time we met a naughty relative and spent time with our family we could pay the gb directly. Then they get all the loot and we can indulge our sins. I can see this as a win win situation. We get to keep our families and they get all the cash. They could have their own Munster moment and call it warwick. Do you think I should write to the gb with my suggestion? they seem to be rather strapped for cash right now unlike us we roll around in filthy richdom as we have so much spare dosh from our cleaning jobs. Funny that such filthy apostate pigs can roll around in all that money eh! Oooh I feel like donating right now . A while back someone posted a radio podcast on Munster, if anyone can dig it out and have the time to listen to it you will hear the future from the past. May we always be round pegs that never fit the blue square hole. cheers Ruthlee
Reply
EDWARD GUZMAN says:
May 31, 2016 at 8:39 am
Man, it only gets worst. THIS REMINDS ME OF HITLER, THE GESTAPO AND THE THIRD REICH. WHEN THE BROTHERS HERE THIS THEY’LL BE EVEN AFRAID TO PASS GAS.
Reply
Marcus Muirhead says:
May 31, 2016 at 9:02 am
Thanks to the internet, JWs from around the world are communicating freely. In the dark old days, the organization could clamp down on a situation and prevent those outside the immediate scope of a situation from even knowing it happened. Not so today, and because of this they are losing their monolithic grip on the flock. Tightening up on shunning is the action of a drowning man grasping at straws. We are getting accurate and timely news of problems from around the world now while the GB is rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.
Reply
Big B says:
May 31, 2016 at 10:43 am
@ Marcus Muirhead
Ditto. The probably one of the best things invented was the internet where anyone can access any information or disinformation world wide. Now nothing the WTBTS thinks, says or does can escape comment, criticism or remain hidden for long.
Their goose is proverbially ‘cooked’; for example look at all the news available on the internet that would have been almost impossible to find years ago:
membership as NGO at U.N. for 10 years,
child molestation scandals and pedophilia cover-ups worldwide,
being sued by victims for millions of dollars because of the above mentioned scandals,
low turnout to their Memorial,
increase in partakers of the emblems at said Memorial,
little to no increase in baptismal candidates,
a constant begging for money, etc.
Today anyone can ignore the seven mental dwarfs and do research on the internet and the veil of deceit will miraculously drop. Gasp–“The king has no clothes!”
As you say the Governing Body is a drowning man grasping at anything to keep his head above water. However, the sharks of public opinion and governmental agencies are circling, and circling ever closer to their intended bloody victim. It’s just a matter of time.
Bon voyage WTBTS, Bon appetit sharks!
Reply
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← The Friday Column: No Girls Allowed – Growing up as a Female Jehovah’s Witness
News Bulletin: Watchtower tightens shunning rules to include “sinful” inactive ones.
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Posted on May 28, 2016
Screenshot 2016-05-28 23.25.32
Camera footage taken by Alex Silva at the Jersey City Regional Convention.
Rumours have been flying about in recent weeks that Watchtower might be changing its shunning policy for the worse at the 2016 Regional Conventions entitled “Remain Loyal to Jehovah.”
We at JW Survey had been aware of these rumours, and had received credible information from reliable sources that seemed to confirm that these rumours were indeed true.
However, since we knew that speculation without absolute proof on this issue might cause unnecessary distress, we decided to wait until absolute concrete proof emerged of this change before reporting it.
Thanks to a member of the Ex-Jehovah’s Witness community, Alex Silva, who bravely attended the Jersey City convention in the US and recorded severa key talks from the program, we now have recorded confirmation that the information we were given was true.
The talk “Shun Unrepentant Wrongdoers, to be given at the 2016 convention as part of the symposium “Loyaly Uphold Jehovah’s Judgements” will apparently expand Watchtower’s shunning policy to include the following scenario:
◾If you are currently considered “inactive,” and are known to have committed a “serious sin,” Watchtowers official position apparently is now that you must be shunned without the requirement to wait for a Judicial Committee.
This will include everyday “sins” such as:
◾Moving in with an unmarried partner
◾Smoking
◾Celebrating Christmas
◾Premarital sex
◾Same sex marriage
◾Criticising the Governing Body
◾Denying Watchtower teachings
◾Celebrating Birthdays
Essentially, any action that would result in a baptised Jehovah’s Witness being disfellowshipped will now result in an inactive one being shunned without the requirement for Judicial Committee action.
This will come as deeply upsetting news for the many inactive ones who have “faded;” the term often used for those who, by a mixture of good fortune and careful planning, have managed to leave the Watchtower religion without sanction from a Judicial Committee, and thus avoided the penalty of shunning. Many such ones still have contact with their Jehovah’s Witness families; contact that now may be cut off if their families consider this person to be “sinning” in the way prescribed by the Governing Body.
It is hard to see this new command as anything less that a deliberate attempt from Watchtower’s leadership to target such “faders” and drag them back under the Governing Body’s control via a policy that amounts to nothing less than pure emotional blackmail:
“Do as we tell you or you will never see your love ones again.”
We are preparing an article to analyse this apparent expansion to Watchtower’s controversial shunning laws in more detail.
We are also preparing an entire series of articles to deal with the various controversial stories that are emerging from this 2016 Regional Convention. Those who have been following this convention will know that this change to the shunning policy is just one of many astonishing and disturbing aspects of the program.
If you are “inactive,” or “faded”, and are concerned that your ties to your family may now be severed, we at JW Survey feel deeply for you. Many of our team are in this position as well.
I am one of them.
I am hopeful that my family will chose to continue association with me, despite the condemnation of my lifestyle by the Governing Body as “serious sin.” But if they do not, I refuse to allow Watchtower’s Governing Body to use my family as leverage to rule my life.
I do not negotiate with hostage takers.
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← The Friday Column: No Girls Allowed – Growing up as a Female Jehovah’s Witness
227 Responses to News Bulletin: Watchtower tightens shunning rules to include “sinful” inactive ones.
← Older Comments
Sister drifter UK says:
May 31, 2016 at 10:15 am
Can someone tell me if these ‘Bunker Videos ‘ are actually being shown at the 2016 conventions or are they spoofs?
This is a genuine enquiry- I cannot quite believe what I’m seeing.
Has anyone actually been there and seen them?
Or are they made up?
Reply
Goldenash says:
May 31, 2016 at 10:35 am
I was there, and yes, they all are real. In fact, everyone in the org that I know has since been just as crazy as one would expect them to be upon seeing something like this. “The Great Tribulation is right around the corner! The GB is warning us!” etc. Pretty soon this might turn into another 1975 situation.
Reply
LJ says:
May 31, 2016 at 12:33 pm
From my understanding they are showing videos like that at the weekly meetings too. They have to keep everyone in constant fear for their lives in order to keep control.
Reply
CaptainmyCaptain says:
May 31, 2016 at 4:46 pm
They are real. Someone posted the following link several comments ago, and I’m re-posting.
Additionally I went to a KH this past Sunday with my folks out of good will towards them, and up on the front of the stage were two (2) 65 inch flat screen TV to play such videos during the week.
Has anyone seen the new time slips to report your Field Service information? I was shocked! However will this technology make it into the “New System”? As last weeks WT study says, how will you accept the guidance from the GB on the use of technology as the direction and implementation comes from the God above……….
Additional food for thought most of this technology came into play after Jarcez (sp?) passed away. From my understanding he was adamantly opposed to technology, well when he passed, the technology was rolled out in a grand fashion.
https://wtsarchive.com/pub/co-vid16-e_regional-convention-2016-talk-videos
Reply
Sarah says:
June 1, 2016 at 11:52 am
Thanks for the post. I thought the angel in the Hezekiah video was cool. (Sunday afternoon). On the whole I think I preferred the book.
Reply
Twmack says:
May 31, 2016 at 11:01 am
Any system that will not tolerate criticism and orders
cruel sanctions against it, is purely and simply a
“Dictatorship”.
The revolution is under way, so how do they respond?
By tightening the screw, more of the same, so fanning
the flames.
Divine wisdom would you say?
Reply
Hakizimana Jean de Dieu says:
May 31, 2016 at 12:16 pm
What do you think is worse between SHUNNING close relatives and accepting being RAPED to please Jehovah?
You can read in the Watchtower issue of 1 February 1968 the following:
*** w68 2/1 p. 71 Shocking Religious Persecution in Malawi ***
one night a group of these Christians was awakened by Congress Party officials. The men were beaten and slashed with sticks and pangas [machetes] and then were forced to look on while ten of their women were raped. Two of the women were pregnant, one of whom later had a miscarriage as a result.
Late in October a large number of Christian women from the Mlanje area were assaulted and raped, and on October 25, 1967, a fifteen-year-old girl at Mkuwila Village, because of refusing to compromise her religious convictions, was tied to a tree and raped six times.
Somewhere in the same issue you will read:
“….they were in good spirits, determined to stand firm. Truly, such faith is commendable, but is not a government that treats them so harshly making itself an object of shame before the world?”
If you fail to ask yourself why JEHOVAH can NOT make him/herself an object of shame, you will never understand the tactics JWs use in their warfare…
Reply
WideAwake says:
May 31, 2016 at 1:39 pm
Religious entities are similar to political entities regarding these three objectives: Power, Control and Money.
How religious entities differ is they obtain these three objectives through Fear, Shame and Guilt with a bit of hope thrown in. It is the old “carrot and stick” trick.
Fear is the biggest motivator and political entities use this to their advantage also.
However, high control groups such as the JW.ORG religion have taken this to a new level by
targeting children, the emotionally vulnerable and those lacking basic, critical thinking skills.
It has been my experience that a good many people who are attracted to this religion fall into two basic categories: Victims and Victimizers.
Sadly, many people are desperate to be lead and like children want someone to take them by the hand and lead them through life.
They are real targets for apocalyptic religions like the
Watchtower Bible and Tract Society CORPORATION.
Years ago, this religion had people wearing sandwich boards while walking up and down the sidewalk with the slogan: ” Religion is a Snare and a Racket.”
Sadly, these blind followers cannot see the hypocrisy of this religion and how it has morphed into something that would have Jesus in tears. In fact, he would be DF”d for causing “dissention among the brothers”.
Shunning is a very effective tool for keeping people in line as is fear of ARMEGHEDDON.
It you have ever studied a Totalitarian government you will be surprised to see how this religion mimics many
of its attributes, most markedly the fear tactics, informing on one another, and the relentless propaganda via the large TV screens in every congregation.
This religion is invasive, intrusive, and emotionally abusive.
Reply
Minion says:
May 31, 2016 at 5:11 pm
@ W,
Greetings to all;
You nailed it, why? It’s The Watchtower Corporation. The new and improved, its my way or the highway.
Peace out,
Reply
Sval says:
May 31, 2016 at 5:17 pm
Bravo!! Well put.
Reply
Tara says:
May 31, 2016 at 2:13 pm
There was a docu/dram in the UK in 1984 called Threads. It depicted a nuclear bomb attack and what happened in Sheffield, England. I remember watching this and it terrified me. Around that time I also remember that school had pills to issue to the kids in case of nuclear fallout. Again, absolutely terrifying. I recall being told what to do in case the siren sounded. Now the Borg. is doing the same thing to it’s minions. Shame on them.
Reply
Bill Thinker says:
May 31, 2016 at 9:55 pm
Drama depicting a nuclear attack on Sheffield in 1984
Reply
Minion says:
May 31, 2016 at 5:45 pm
Greetings to all:
This goes out to active, current Bible studies and non-active JWs.
The Watchtower Corporation is extending there new mandate or ‘the rule of law’.
We too can play the same game. Play fire with fire.
All 115,000+ congregations report there attendance monthly to Bethel. Right?
Then on October 9, 2016, we plan a “Do Not Attend The Meeting On This Day”. This date will be on a Sunday, and near the annual meeting date.
We have 3 months to get the word out – worldwide.
A true “walk out” on October 9, 2016, ,”Do Not Attend The Meeting On This Day”.
Peace out,
Reply
Bill Thinker says:
May 31, 2016 at 10:32 pm
Thought provoking picture that might prompt JWs to start thinking about the shunning policy:http://vortex-power.tumblr.com/post/145243142633/unconditional-love-mommy-loves-you-so-much
Keep sharing…
Reply
Sven says:
June 1, 2016 at 12:59 am
Well, I live in Sweden. I’m since several years a faded one. This year I couldn’t quite contain myself as a JW elder doing street witnessing approached me and tried to handle me a leaflet. I accepted it. He knows me, we had a heated discussion where I criticized the organization. That means they’ll now soon be shunning me. However, the rest of my family aren’t JW any longer, so maybe the mental damage following will be limited.
Of course I’ll never give in or bow down to the GB. We live in a democratic society so there’s freedom of religion; but the damage to families is great indeed and SOMETHING, don’t know what, should be done against the Watchtower Society in Sweden by our government.
What revolting religion. Nothing less than a global pest.
Reply
Holy Connoli says:
June 1, 2016 at 2:38 am
to Sven, I understand and read a while back that the WT had applied for government money that the Government gives to Churches such as Lutheran and Catholic since they are “state approved” Churches.
Of course they had to meet certain priorities and conditions just like the Lutherans and others do.
I am pretty sure this is true. This is like their joining the UN and meeting the requirements of the UN. Showing how much they love money and compromise their own teachings for the sake of Money. It is Amazing that on one hand they CLAIM all governments are from Satan and all religions ae from Satan ( except the JW’s ) but they willingly and readily take their money and compromise what they teach for the sake of money! I am sure they do not let the average JW know that they have applied and accept money from the Government and again line themselves up with other Churches. They have to be the biggest Hypocrites on earth,
Reply
Holy Connoli says:
June 1, 2016 at 3:12 am
To Sven: I was referring to the WT in Sweden when referring to the fact that they applied for government money for “official” religions. An American friend of mine ( JW )
married a Swedish JW and moved to Sweden.He is pretty much inactive but occasionally attends meetings but is afraid to completely leave bc of being shunned by his wife’s family. He grew up in a Strong JW family in the USA but now thinks most of it is BS and Nonsense, By the way he does love Sweden and I need to go visit him. He lives in Stockholm.
Reply
Sven says:
June 1, 2016 at 12:28 pm
You are right. This is the fourth! time they applied; and they were subsequently turned down. The reason for this, as stated by our government, is that “Jehovah’s Witnesses do not accept the general values/standards in society”. I agree. They don’t. – Thank you for what you said about Sweden, yes, it is a fine country, but the JWs are not helping us very much. Most of them are kind people but are at the sime time just waiting for Armageddon to kill everyone who refuse to join them. I know this for I was a JW for many years and they have not changed at all.
They are perceived as an insular sect, and that is precisely what they are.
Reply
Gary says:
June 1, 2016 at 2:54 am
The Watchtower is an abusive religion.
There is no freedom of thought.
There is no freedom of expression.
There is no freedom of religion.
The freedoms that they so often remind us about in the European courts and within the constitution they themselves deny to their adherents, hypocrites!
For instance, if the Watchtower were to change one of its policies or scriptural understanding, say fractions, overlapping generation, child abuse policy, etc and you were to fundamentally disagree with that change or teaching would either be excommunicated or would have to leave quietly.
Many chose to leave quietly so as to maintain family ties, now it seems this is all due to change, in other words you and your family are being held hostage by Watchtower and what’s worse it’s an absolute abuse of an individuals conscience.
Where is the freedom promised by Christ (and which you sort in the courts) if your his brothers?
Jehovahs Witnesses and human rights?,
don’t make me laugh.
Reply
Gary says:
June 1, 2016 at 4:18 am
https://youtu.be/5e6TuaZF1OY
Surely growing up as a Jehovahs Witness was the happiest days of your life?
Reply
Gary says:
June 1, 2016 at 4:36 am
Don’t get me started about mental dissonance.https://youtu.be/tXwIx6ooVy0
Reply
ruthlee says:
June 1, 2016 at 5:52 am
I was thinking you know how with a megalomaniac there is a reason and a real reason for their thoughts ,actions, agenda etc. Most of us who would be effected by this shunning/fading fiasco are probably in the line to inherit property, money, assets . Those greedy pigs know this so if they can persuade the older ones to obey them and unfriend their children and grandchildren, who stands to benefit when the said oldsters die? Someone who has legal knowhow needs to pre-empt this because the only vision these fraudsters have is money coming to them. As old people age and frail they rely on gentle persuasion and can be hoodwinked. If they have shunned their children then they are a wide open bank just waiting to be plundered. Ruthlee
Reply
dee2 says:
June 1, 2016 at 1:17 pm
You just might be on to something Ruthlee…………it seems you may have spotted the ruse!
Reply
Koos says:
June 1, 2016 at 1:53 pm
Sad but true!
For years this site is covenient and well argumented and honest, something you can’t always say about jw.org. What they tell on the site is different and softer than the watchtower.
And look what they have done with the scriptures, just one example:
NEW WORLD TRANSLATION OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES (2013 REVISION)
Acts 8:37
Now as they were going along the road, they came to a body of water, and the eunuch said: “Look! Here is water; what prevents me from getting baptized?” 37* —— 38 With that he commanded the chariot to halt, and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water,
KING JAMES BIBLE: Purple Letter Edition
◄ Acts 8:37 ►
And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water; and the eunuch said, See, here is water. What doth hinder me to be baptized? 37And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still; and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
This is how they act:
Matthew 23:1-5
23 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying: 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the seat of Moses. 3 Therefore, all the things they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds, for they say but they do not practice what they say.+ 4 They bind up heavy loads and put them on the shoulders of men,+ but they themselves are not willing to budge them with their finger.
Reply
Gary says:
June 1, 2016 at 4:19 pm
Personally I don’t think they’ve got the brains for that. Nevertheless that maybe the reality.
Funny how the shunning ends when a person dies.
Interestingly I once made a contribution of a £100 when I was in a DF state, the money was never returned.
Reply
Gary says:
June 1, 2016 at 4:31 pm
Funny how they can eat with a DF person.
P.s. It was more than a £100 😉
Reply
Gary says:
June 1, 2016 at 4:45 pm
Hi Ruthllee, will let you in on something that happened and is absolutely truthful.
Was in a DF state. . Made the contribution as I’ve said.
When I was returning I use to hide the the KH kitchen, I, like many before in that position, am very shy. So I’d make a coffee and wait till the meeting started. It was used during my reinstatement committee as testimony against me.
Some people are simply truthful 🙂
Now having a coffee is a sin
Reply
Twmack says:
June 1, 2016 at 6:33 am
@ Bill Thinker. Thanks for the link to the picture, it
speaks a thousand words. I’ve done a print out.
Now if my still in children ever shun me, for doing evil
things, such as celebrating their mothers birthday.
I will send them that picture,and write underneath.
“But your mom and dad will never shun you.”
Reply
ligniappe says:
June 1, 2016 at 7:11 am
The whole issue of shunning reminds me of the biblical account of what happened after Solomon died and his son Rehoboam succeeded to the throne. Reho’ went and asked the old blokes how he should treat his subjects? And they said – in a kindly way wouldn’t be bad at all. Reho’ decided he needed a second opinion, and talked to all the brown-nosers and young ambitious type men and said what do you think? The young men replied (like the Industrial Relations Dept exec’s of a large Govt Dept that I worked for) give ’em nothing, kick’em in the guts, and laugh when they go down. As Reho’ found out when he followed the young men’s advice he lost 80% of his country that split and headed north. I see the same happening over what the GB is doing right now, people are abandoning the Org in the droves. Fear stalks the KH’s and people are scared of the snitches who dob each other in to the elders over some perceived lack of faith. 1 John 4:18 says “perfect love throws fear outside”. They seem to have mixed up the difference between people and fear, they are throwing the people out and not the fear. What a bunch of nutso’s
Reply
Innocent Son says:
June 1, 2016 at 1:06 pm
This is a very worrying development. I see it as the G.B. tightening their control of the rank and file. I have been ‘ faded ‘ for a number of years now and largely left alone, however I think that will soon change and I will be targeted and expelled officially… However I get much strength from others particularly on this site so I will not cower or be bullied into going back! What will be, will be..
Reply
Big B says:
June 1, 2016 at 2:12 pm
@ Innocent Son;
I agree with you; it is indeed a worrying development. As a former witness with association back to 1958, this is not the Jehovah’s Witnesses organization that I came to know but a more recently transformed perverted cult like development especially after the 1975 fiasco.
As more and more of the older ones (remembering the administrations of N.H.Knoor and F.W. Franz) die off and age those raised in the truth after the ’75 disappointment’ are now asking questions and are not getting satisfying answers thus leaving in droves. The WTBTS can not stop the hemorrhaging.
If anyone approaches me or my family from the local congregation, (my wife and son also faded three years ago), by mail concerning our Christmas and Halloween celebrations last year or our flying the flag on national holidays, I will mail the official correspondence back unopened with the words “RETURN to SENDER”.
We adamantly refuse to adhere to any of their (G.B.) rules concerning a written letter of disassociation, or meeting them in a congregational star chamber court of inquiry, period. We will no longer “dance to their tune” as we no longer recognize their authority over us or our beliefs!
To quote the Virginia state motto: Sic semper Tyrannis! (thus ever to tyrants!) It is a shortened version of the phrase Sic semper tyrannis ad mortem (“Thus always I bring death to tyrants”).
Reply
GEM says:
June 1, 2016 at 3:03 pm
@ Big B:
Here in the UK, the Lorry Driver’s Motto is:
“NIHIL ILLEGITAMUS CARBORUNDUM”
“Don’t let the B*****ds wear you down!”
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’.
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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
Holy Connoli says:
November 17, 2015 at 1:14 am
Frankie.If I were you I would turn him into the police now even though it may have been several years ago he committed this crime. Many sexual predators get turned in years later after the crime is reveled. At the very least he will be investigated and his Name will be mud for being a creep.
He deserves it and so does the WT for its NON protection of the flock and not caring for the victim but only their phony reputation.
Reply
Lesley HUmphreys-Jones says:
February 15, 2016 at 10:10 am
Tell the police.
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?
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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.
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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.
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pj wilcox says:
July 31, 2015 at 3:21 am
I watched the latest video of the inept elder being questioned by the commission. Who prepared this man for testimony? You all are aware of the dentist who shot Cecil the lion in Kenya? Well his life is over. He is in hiding. What he did ,did not break laws in Kenya and his is in a world of trouble with public sentiment. But this elder being questioned is far worse. He covered deeds that drove people to think of killing themselves. Should he not go into hiding? Is his life over? Has he know conscience? Emotion, caring? You know the answer. Bet ya, damage control is working overtime on this.
Reply
Adrian says:
September 8, 2015 at 3:32 am
I think the Royal Commission videos demonstrate that fragility of the governance within the WT society. Yes, it’s an Australia branch issue but cross examination only points to the seat of control on which the governing body members sit. Everything starts and stops with the governing body, they set the policy but where are they? Sitting comfortably in NY watching from a distance ready to abdicate any responsibility whatsoever. A governing body governs and leads but I see no leadership I see the followers talking and being bashed around the head with questions, all too easy for the legal team.
However, it might just be me but does anyone else not see the lawyer’s gap in knowledge regarding the fundamental rationale for the WT society policies, they fall back in their comfort zone knowing that they can say ‘well we don’t have the authority to go beyond the bible.’
It’s this gap in knowledge of the legal representatives which the WT society exploit. I mean nobody is going to ask ‘ where actually did this translation come from anyway?’ What were the academic qualifications of the translators? Is there a possibility that you have interpreted things wrongly or even worse, translated things incorrectly? If there’s a possibility that your interpretation on how to deal with modern day child abuse cases in congregations may be flawed, then are you in agreement that your policies could result in lasting harm to victims of abuse? In my view that translation is the ‘elephant in the room’ every scholar knows it’s perverse but no one is holding this cult to account. So easy to say it’s all in the bible but should they really be saying it’s all in the NWT instead?
The WT society in the videos almost give of an innocence as if to say, ‘ but that’s what we understand from the scriptures’, and I think it works in their favor, but a savvy legal representative would do well to tease out the basis for the rendering of certain verses on which doctrine, policy and organisational decisions are based. So far the WT Society appears to be one step ahead because their authority is not a person but a book, which they are ‘only trying to understand and live by’. Expose the origin of the NWT and the basis for so many ridiculous uncaring decisions is called into question.
Reply
Rick Viger says:
November 10, 2015 at 3:26 pm
Thanks John for all you do with your videos.
I’m an ex JW for 40 years now. I hope your videos reach some witnesses and make them think. For all of you that have left Watchtower remember you made the right decision.
Reply
S.T. says:
November 24, 2015 at 9:48 pm
I was wondering if anyone has heard that Jehovah’s witnesses are telling there congregations that the end of this system could have only hours left? My sister who is a Jehovah’s Witness said they are preaching this at the congregations. Has anyone else heard this?
Reply
Paul says:
April 3, 2016 at 10:24 pm
Indoctrination and mind control in its purest form. Will the BS never end, and is hard for me to understand why JW’S put up with this.
Reply
ian York says:
April 13, 2016 at 4:15 pm
It is hard to fathom how anybody could believe in the legitimacy of Watchtower’s claim to be God’s only organization on earth today when considering it started with the likes if this oaf. One would have to have a belief in predestination, an unscriptural concept, in order to square the circle of the now regarded apostate beliefs if the founder members and today’s dogma.
Reply
Abby says:
May 10, 2016 at 2:51 am
After pioneering for over a decade, I wondered where the GB got the 70 hours requirement. Did Jesus or the 12 Apostles count time? Honestly, I feel enslaved. Hmmm. I grateful to Yahowah for helping me discover this site. The stress is too burdensome for me. OMG We have been taught in the watchtower that when we revenge, we are being presumptuous is DF not presumptuousness? Let’s look at it this way. When you commit a grievous sin, who do you offend, God or elders? Is shunning not a way of doing Yahowah’s work for him. I just learnt that JW’s don’t bury dfd people. This is heart breaking. I call this rennaissance period for any one who wishes to wake up. Jephtah’s case is an eye opener, I had to confirm that from my book of bible stories, story 53. Hmmmm.
Reply
peely says:
May 31, 2016 at 2:11 pm
Hi Abby,
Yes, we know disfellowshiped ones are considered as good as dead.
John 16:2 – “They will put you out of (meaning of Greek is “excommunicate”) the synagogue (“congregation”); in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills (“figuratively or literally”) you will think they are offering a service to God.” (to keep the congregation clean)
“They will do these things because they haven’t known the Father or Me. But I have told you these things so that when their time comes you may remember I told them to you. I didn’t tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you.” John 16:3,4
“I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” John 16:33
I always wonder why the decision to go ahead of every other bible rendition and take out the possibly spurious John 8:1-11 Leaving it in the NWT would blow a hole in the disfellowshiping doctrine. On the organization’s website, I cannot even find a reference to those scriptures.
From the symbolic book of Revelation: “He was permitted to give a spirit to the image (organization) of the beast, so that the image of the beast could both speak and cause whoever would not worship the image of the beast to be killed” (Rev 13:15)
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Paul says:
May 28, 2016 at 4:14 am
Your professional presentation and factually is greatly appreciated. Thanks for your fine effort and tirelessness.
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News Bulletin: Watchtower tightens shunning rules to include “sinful” inactive ones.
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Posted on May 28, 2016
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Rumours have been flying about in recent weeks that Watchtower might be changing its shunning policy for the worse at the 2016 Regional Conventions entitled “Remain Loyal to Jehovah.” We at JW Survey had been aware of these rumours, and … Continue reading →
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The Friday Column: No Girls Allowed – Growing up as a Female Jehovah’s Witness
Posted on May 27, 2016
Jehovah's Witness Leadership - Girls need not apply
From JW Survey contributor Brooke No girls allowed – a common theme throughout my childhood; raised with all older boy cousins, I had to learn to stick up for myself. I fought tooth and nail for my spot in the video game room, just to watch them play. Just to feel like a … Continue reading →
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Posted on May 26, 2016
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Last Friday, we put up an article opening the doors to submissions from you, our readers. We have had a number of excellent submissions since then, covering a wide variety of topics. On behalf of the entire JW Survey team, … Continue reading →
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The Friday Column: JW Survey needs YOU!
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Posted on May 20, 2016
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Would you like to help make a difference? We are looking to expand our voluntary writing team in order to keep pace with the increasing amount of Watchtower related news stories, and also to keep pace with our growing community … Continue reading →
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Update: JWsurvey editorial team meets in London to discuss future plans
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Posted on May 19, 2016
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Earlier this month I had an opportunity to finally meet Covert Fade and John Redwood in person during a trip to London. Shortly after shaking hands for the first time, John surprised me with my very own Telly Award in … Continue reading →
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News Bulletin: Dutch reporter thrown out of District Convention
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Posted on May 19, 2016
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Astonishing footage has recently emerged showing a Dutch reporter being thrown out of a convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses simply for asking basic questions about the Witnesses stance on homosexuality. You can view the video below, with English subtitles and an … Continue reading →
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The Friday Column: Why I don’t want to destroy Watchtower
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Posted on May 13, 2016
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I don’t want to bring down the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. That might have a couple of you blinking in suprise. If you are one of Jehovah’s Witnesses reading this, you may have been told that so called “apostates” … Continue reading →
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The Friday Column: Leave no man behind
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Posted on May 6, 2016
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I had brothers when I was a Jehovah’s Witness. They were not related to me. We shared no blood. Neither did I use this term in the arbitrary “spiritual” sense, granting brotherhood simply because someone shared my religious beliefs irrespective … Continue reading →
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Why Watchtower should be ashamed of its new homophobic child propaganda cartoon
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Posted on May 3, 2016
In the new cartoon, Sophia's mum teaches her how to be judgmental and bigoted
It was in the summer 2012 that Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world were first introduced to Caleb and Sophia, the Governing Body’s new animated poster kids. Their first cartoon adventures, which were distributed in DVDs at conventions and on the organization’s … Continue reading →
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News Bulletin: Secret Watchtower documents once again demanded in new US court case.
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Posted on April 25, 2016
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Only last week, we reported upon the latest development in the lawsuit that abuse survivor Jose Lopez is bringing against the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. Lopez was abused by Jehovah’s Witness Elder Gonzalo Campos, and alleges that Watchtower’s controversial policies … Continue reading →
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Superstar Prince Pronounced Dead: World in Shock Over Passing of Celebrity Jehovah’s Witness
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Posted on April 21, 2016
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April 22nd, 2016 Seldom does the death of one individual captivate the news so completely as when a superbly talented, musically gifted, and internationally beloved icon such as Prince loses his life. What would be a routine day of reporting of the … Continue reading →
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News Bulletin: Watchtower Faces Dilemma in Sex Abuse Ruling
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Posted on April 20, 2016
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Regular readers of JW Survey may recall the 2014 landmark court case of Jose Lopez in the US. The JW Survey coverage of the case can be found here, but to cut a long story short, Lopez had been repeatedly … Continue reading →
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Science-denial to be a regular feature of Watchtower’s monthly JW Broadcasting episodes
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Posted on April 16, 2016
Yaroslav Dovhanych and Professor Raj Kalaria endorse Watchtower's anti-evolution stance
Watchtower has a long and ignominious history with its forays into the realm of science. Charles Taze Russell’s 1914 film The Photo-Drama of Creation advised cinema audiences that Earth was assembled in 49,000 years, that Noah’s Flood was caused by a Saturn-like orbital ring … Continue reading →
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