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← The Worst Convention Ever – Part 2: The Bunker
The Friday Column: Jehovah’s Witnesses and Doubts →
 
The Worst Convention Ever – Part 3: Sergei’s Story
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Posted on June 7, 2016
 
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“The way of the truth is the best way of living.”
So begins Kingdom Song 64, “Make the Truth Your Own.” This mantra is one with which Jehovah’s Witnesses are very familiar. In fact, it’s quite common to hear the mantra expanded on in the following way:

Even if this wasn’t the Truth, it would still be the best possible way to live.
If you’ve been associated with the Witnesses, you’ve probably heard a statement like this, often in response to doubts or challenges about how valid Witness teachings are. The narrative being presented is that even if Watchtower is wrong, living according to the Governing Body’s commands would still result in the most satisfying life possible.
It’s a win-win scenario!
But is this statement true?
Well, let’s take a look at how Watchtower presents Witness life in a series of videos being played at the 2016 Remain Loyal to Jehovah Regional Convention. The videos follow a character, Sergei, from childhood to most-likely, his death.
As we see his story unfold, I’d like you to keep in mind that oft-made claim:

Even if this were not the Truth, this would still be the best way to live.
Let’s see if the story of Sergei’s life supports that claim.
Sergei – When Young
Screenshot 2016-06-07 14.20.58Sergei’s story begins when he is a boy, and we fade in on him playing the violin with considerable skill. The narrative unfolds to show an exceptionally talented Sergei being offered special tuition by a music conservatory which would help him make a career out of the art he loves so much.
Great! Not many people get the chance to explore their gifts in this way, and it seems the young Sergei could be starting on a thrilling road of self-discovery and creative fulfilment. Who knows, maybe his artistic legacy will live on for centuries?
Except that Sergei’s father has other ideas. He dismisses Sergei’s musical aspirations by telling his son that the pressure will be something he cannot handle. He dismisses the idea of a young Witness making music “their life, their career.” Sergei is warned that he will have to compete with other musicians, that he will be surrounded by people who do not love Jehovah (sn: just like every day at school or work) and that he must show Jehovah he loves him first.
Apparently, Jehovah hates professional musicians.
If you didn’t know beforehand that the father’s position was the one that Watchtower was promoting, you could play this scene word-for-word, beat-for-beat, and the audience would see Sergei’s father as a closed-minded parent, brutally crushing his son’s dreams and aspirations. Indeed, it’s heartbreaking when the young Sergei pleads with his father, “But I really love it, and I’m not good at anything else! This is what I’m good at!”
I can relate to his plea.
The things I was really good at as a child, the skills and talents around which I would ordinarily have built a satisfying career in the creative industry, were not things I was allowed to make a career due to my Witness beliefs. Instead, I had to choose another road, one far less satisfying and interesting to me, and at which I simply was not as good. Granted, now that I have left the cult, I am trying to resurrect the career I should have started all those years ago, but the lost time and experience is something I will never recover.
So in summary, what do we see from the first video? Sergei’s dreams of being a professional musician are crushed, not because he lacks talent or the drive to succeed, but because his parents are Jehovah’s Witnesses that enforce Watchtower’s strict lifestyle choices upon him. Sergei the violinist will never exist, his potential works lost to future generations, and his dream future denied to him.
Now remember, we are exploring the following statement:

Even if this were not the Truth, this would still be the best way to live.
Do you think this video supports that claim?
Sergei – When Persecuted
Screenshot 2016-06-07 14.51.34We next see Sergei as a young man, conducting a Bible Study. As the scene progresses, it becomes clear that he is living in a country where Jehovah’s Witnesses are under ban. The Witnesses are risking arrest by practicing their faith and carrying out Watchtower’s commands. During the video, Sergei returns home to discover that the police are waiting inside and have brutalized his father.
(Possibly by subjecting him to their awful acting.)
The police demand to know where Sergei has hidden the Watchtower literature. Sergei refuses to answer the questions, and later, refuses to play the national anthem on his violin. This is not a random choice on Sergei’s part; Watchtower instructs Witnesses, like Sergei, that to do so would compromise Watchtower’s particular interpretation of political neutrality. (Never mind that Watchtower has compromised this doctrine on numerous occasions for its own benefit, often carefully ensuring that normal Witnesses never find out.)
As a result, the police incarcerate Sergei.
This is sadly an all-too-plausible scenario. In many counties across the world over the past century, Jehovah’s Witnesses have been subjected to horrific persecution for obeying Watchtower’s commands on political neutrality. From the savagery meted out in Malawi to the dreadful inhumanity of the concentration camps of the Third Reich, Witnesses have been incarcerated, tortured and murdered by repressive regimes. No one who respects the concept of universal human rights can do anything other than unreservedly condemn such barbaric repression.
Those who wish to sincerely practice their faith in a manner that does not infringe on the human rights of others, should always be free to do so, but obviously no one would wish to endure the kind of savagery Sergei encounters for serving a religion that was not true.
Now remember, we are exploring the following statement:

Even if this were not the truth, this would still be the best way to live.
Do you think this video supports that claim?
Sergei – When Tempted
Screenshot 2016-06-07 17.06.06Our next video finds Sergei still in prison, reciting scripture to keep his spirits up. The prison officials give him the tragic news that his father, also an inmate, is dying.
Weeping, Sergei requests permission to see his father, and the prison officer offers Sergei “an even better solution.” He offers to let Sergei and his father, both, leave the prison! All Sergei has to do is sign a document renouncing his faith.
Watchtower is unequivocal on this point. There is no room for an individual Witness to decide that the paper and “renunciation” are meaningless, okay to sign, and then continue worshiping as normal, once they are free. “Theocratic Warfare” may allow Watchtower leaders to lie in court when being questioned about not reporting child abuse, but it does not allow Witnesses to sign documents they give no credence to in order to alleviate terrible suffering and regain their freedom.
Witnesses are expected to refuse all such offers, no questions asked.
So, Sergei does what Watchtower expects and refuses to sign. Then, he is then dragged back to his cell where he is to serve out the rest of his five-year prison term, never to see his father again.
Now remember, we are exploring the following statement:

Even if this were not the Truth, this would still be the best way to live.
Do you think this video supports that claim?
Sergei – When Praised
Screenshot 2016-06-07 17.48.47We next meet Sergei some considerable time later, as a middle-aged man, serving as a substitute Circuit Overseer for Watchtower.
For those unfamiliar, a Circuit Overseer (C.O.) is someone who works full-time for Watchtower, travelling to visit a select, geographic group of congregations. They will hold meetings with the Elders, Ministerial Servants and Pioneers, give special talks from the platform, organize the Field Service for the week, and generally make sure that the congregation is running according to Watchtower’s policy. It’s an exhausting job, often requiring long days of activity for little remuneration, though the meals and board for a C.O are usually provided for by the host congregation. A substitute C.O is often someone training to be a permanent C.O, and they will step in when the regular C.O is ill or indisposed.
He is reunited with his old friends Alexia and Natalia, with whom, in the second video, he was shown studying. He and his wife accept and share a meal together with some friends. During the meal, Sergei is complemented on the quality of his talks, as well as his unwavering faith; those present infer that they wish he was the permanent C.O, citing a number of perceived flaws with the present one.
My personal experience, having met many C.O’s in my time, is that they vary significantly in quality and temperament. I’ve met kind, sincere men who genuinely cared about their flock, and I’ve met unkind, hard, cruel men who made the lives of those in their Circuit a misery. It’s common for a hard-pressed congregation to desperately wish for a change, especially if they’ve met one of the nicer C.O’s on the list.
How does Sergei respond to the conversation? Granted, it must be awkward for him to hear others complain about his colleague but how does he deal with these complaints, along with complements given to him?
He rejects them all. He refuses to take credit for any of his abilities. He has no sense of ownership for his achievements. With downcast eyes, he credits everything to Jehovah’s spirit. He also makes this point: “Jehovah chooses those who serve in the congregations” and this is a way to imply that such men are above criticism from the rank and file.
(Does Jehovah choose the Elders who’ve covered up child abuse, or Servants who are actually child abusers? Watchtower can’t have it both ways. Either the “appointed men” are chosen by God or they are not.)
Now, remember how excited and full of confidence little Sergei was in the first video? As a young child, Sergei had found his passion, his calling, and was full of confidence that he could achieve wonderful things with his music. He was good at it, and he KNEW he was good at it. He had full confidence in his abilities. The future lay before him, vast and glittering, before his father tore his confidence and dreams away. What do we find when we look at Sergei now?
A man working long hours as a religious administrator in return for very little compensation, his dreams of music forgotten, his father lost to religious persecution, along with apparently five years of his own life. A man so lacking in self-worth that he cannot even bring himself to take credit for the experience and skills that others see in him and admire.
Now remember, we are exploring the following statement:

Even if this were not the Truth, this would still be the best way to live.
Do you think this video supports that claim?
Sergei – When Tired
Screenshot 2016-06-07 18.08.16The next video finds Sergei at his place of employment, a factory or workshop of some kind, welding torch in hand, a far cry from the concert halls or recording studios in which he could have spent his life. He looks tired and drawn as he pulls off his welding mask, and is summoned to his managers office.
We find out that Sergei has been working to cover the shifts of others and is exhausted. Nonetheless, his manager barks orders for him to start attending a facility one hour away to cover another absent employee. Sergei protests. He has a family and religious responsibilities to attend to.
It transpires that the manager claims to show consideration for Sergei’s meeting times and religious duties, and Sergei doesn’t challenge this so we are left with the impression that this assertion is correct. Nonetheless, Sergei is given a choice. Go cover the absent employee or go find another job.
Sergei relents and makes preparations to attend the new work plant, but then ponders his Bible and remembers that he needs to attend his family Bible study that night.
He returns home to his family instead of work, and carries out the family study.
No mention is given about what happens to Sergei’s job, but given the attitude of the manager, and that he apparently just walked offsite without notifying anyone, one can safely assume that he was fired. However, in the video, no acknowledgment is made for this possibility and whilst Sergei’s family seem to be eager for the “spiritual food” they are about to receive, I fear that before long they will discover that physical food is rather important as well.
Now remember, we are exploring the following statement:

Even if this were not the Truth, this would still be the best way to live.
Do you think this video supports that claim?
Sergei – When Abandoned
Screenshot 2016-06-07 18.43.30The next installment of what is fast becoming “The Tragedy Of Sergei” takes place when Sergei is an older man, with greying hair. Once again, we meet Sergei’s friend, Natalia, though it seems that his other friend Alexi, is absent. Sergei asks if he can stop by and visit Alexi but a grief-stricken Natalia whispers,

You can’t.
Has Alexi died? Has he been dragged off to prison? Did he emigrate to Outer Mongolia?
No.
It appears that all that has happened to Alexi is that he stopped believing the Watchtower religion. (It’s not specified if he was Disfellowshipped, Disassociated or simply faded)
So good news Sergei!
You CAN go and see him! He’s probably at home right now and all you need to do is pop on round, ring the bell, and chat with your old friend who, despite no longer believing that Steven Lett represents God’s appointed channel on Earth, is probably the same guy you’ve known and loved all these years.
Except that Sergei is one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. It doesn’t matter that his old friend is probably the same man he always was, Sergei is not allowed to judge his friends by  their character, but can do so only by their opinions on Watchtower doctrine.
Make no mistake, Sergei is now under orders from Watchtower: If Alexis has been disfellowshipped or disassociated, Sergei must treat his old friend as if he no longer exists, as if he has died. If he passes Alexi on the street he must not even say a greeting. Total shunning is to be enforced. Even if Alexi has successfully faded without Judicial Sanction, Watchtower makes it clear that unless Sergei has a very good reason, he shouldn’t be interacting with him at all.
And as of this 2016 convention, if the faded Alexi does anything on Watchtower’s prohibited list, like celebrate a birthday, attend a religious service, or give blood, then the shunning laws snap right back into place.
So Sergei, clearly devastated, turns his back on a man he describes as a second father, for no reason other than his religion expects and demands it of him. It is not Alexi who has abandoned Sergei, but rather Sergei who has abandoned his friend.
Now remember, we are exploring the following statement:

Even if this were not the Truth, this would still be the best way to live.
Do you think this video supports that claim?
Sergei – When Facing Death
Screenshot 2016-06-07 19.22.28“The Tragedy of Sergei” is drawing to a close. In the final video, we see Sergei in a hospital bed, gravely ill. His daughter, looking through his old photographs, sees young Sergei with his violin. She shows it to him and says:

I didn’t know you played the violin.
Sergei shrugs and replies.

I lost interest in it, I guess.
It’s no surprise to see that Sergei’s passions and talents have been beaten out of him over the years, given all that he has been forced to give up and to suffer on account of Watchtower commands and doctrine. He has lost his art, his father, five years of his life, his closest friend, and spent a life toiling in a punishing career that he clearly never wanted to have, a career that he possibly even endangered or crippled at one point due to following Watchtower commands about time spent at work.
Nonetheless, things are going to get worse. It’s made clear that unless Sergei undergoes an operation, he is doomed. The doctor advises him that the chances of surviving the operation are much lower if he refuses blood.
Again, Watchtower doctrines snap into place here. If Sergei is judged to have willingly and unrepentantly accepted a blood transfusion, he will be viewed as a disassociated person and shunned by all of his family and friends. Additionally, Sergei will have been indoctrinated all of his life to view such a transfusion as sinful, an act that could jeopardize his chances at gaining eternal life in the paradise earth yet to come.
Thus, it comes as no surprise that Sergei refuses blood, thus lowering the chances he will survive the operation. In the closing moments of the video, Sergei and his daughter both talk about their hope for the future, of being reunited in the Paradise Earth that Watchtower teaches is yet to come. We flash back through the key moments of Sergei’s life, where loyalty to Watchtower first set him off on a journey of hardship, denial and persecution, and Sergei faces what is potentially his death with a tearful smile on his face.
And thus we come to the point.
If Watchtower teachings are correct, and Sergei’s tragic life of missed opportunities, suffering, persecution and lost friends, has enabled him to get access to a wonderful paradise, where his dead loved ones are reunited with him forever, one can make the argument that his life of denial and pain was worth the sacrifice.
But if Watchtower teachings are wrong, then Sergei’s tragic suffering due to following their commands has been entirely without meaning. Quite simply, it is absurd to suggest, given what we have reviewed above, presented by Watchtower itself no less, that there can be any credibility in the statement:

Even if this were not the Truth, this would still be the best way to live.
If this were not “the Truth,” Sergei would have been far better living a normal life. Had he taken the other road, we could be looking at Sergei, the respected and successful musician, who was able to see his father when he died, who didn’t lose five years of his life to incarceration, who never had to shun his closest friend, who spent his life following his passions and not toiling in a workshop, and who is being assured by the doctors that there is a good chance he will survive.
Sergei’s story might be extreme, but it’s not uncommon among Witnesses, and even those who suffer less, still have to give up and sacrifice much on Watchtower’s altar.
Before one sacrifices the life they have now, in the hopes that they will gain a life to come, one needs to research both sides of the argument. There is too much at stake to do otherwise. If you are one of Jehovah’s Witnesses reading this, I urge you to study carefully the following places of information.
JWfacts.com is a great place to start your journey. I invite you to double and triple check every fact and assertion there made and compare them with the claims made at jw.org.
I invite you to do the same for the articles residing here on this website. Check our claims, check our sources, check our facts.
But don’t stop there.
Question everything, research everything, and take note of the fact that, should your elders become aware you are doing this, they will likely try to stop you.
And when that happens, remember this:
Truth has nothing to hide. Falsehood is terrified of questions.
For even more analysis of “The Tragedy Of Sergei,” please click on the link below, which will take you to the video companion piece to this article, presented by JW Survey founder Lloyd Evans


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← The Worst Convention Ever – Part 2: The Bunker
The Friday Column: Jehovah’s Witnesses and Doubts →
 
132 Responses to The Worst Convention Ever – Part 3: Sergei’s Story

Newer Comments →
 
 Michael Spengler says:

 June 8, 2016 at 12:05 am
 
excellent summary of a horrible set of videos which are only there to indoctrinate the rank and file to obey their master -the GB..
what a waste of precious lives, talents and opportunities..
Reply
 
 
 Sarah says:

 June 8, 2016 at 12:06 am
 
Hope you don’t mind me stating another opinion. Sometimes we have to standup for what we believe. In the last world war millions died to prevent Hitler from taking over. This was not a good way of life for those soldiers.
Sometimes people ask what would have happened if everyone was like the Witnesses and refused to fight. Would those millions of soldiers have lived longer lives?
Don’t get me wrong. WT is hiding some very unlawful procedures which are destructive. I am going to stand up against this until it is corrected. This is not a good way of life for me but it will benefit others in the long run.
However I was grateful to be able to consider all your arguments, thanks, Covert.
Reply
 
 dee2 says:

 June 8, 2016 at 5:37 am
 
@Sarah
Your comment suggests:
 1). That Hitler could have been deterred/stopped by other means apart from war
 or
 2). He should have been allowed to take over the countries which were earmarked/targetted in his takeover plan.
Do you think that 1) was possible? or that 2) should have been allowed?
Reply
 
 Meg Bailey says:

 June 8, 2016 at 8:30 am
 
Yes…..
1) probably! It certainly could have been tried
 2) no, of course not! But if the scenario was that everyone was taking the Witnesses position on taking part in warfare…. where would he have got his soldiers from?
Reply
 
 Carlos Soto says:

 June 8, 2016 at 10:29 am
 
Meg,
You are assuming that all the brethren are good wholesome people. Unfortunately, the majority of these people are selfish, judgmental, and in some cases criminal. Who would need Hitler and his brainwashing, when you have a group of men who are masters at similar types of brainwashing.
Reply
 
 
 dee2 says:

 June 8, 2016 at 10:50 am
 
@Meg Bailey
According to http://www.historyonthenet.com/ww2/causes.htm ,
 efforts were made to secure peace through negotiation rather than war with Hitler/Germany:
In May 1937, Neville Chamberlain became Prime Minister of Britain. He felt that giving in to Hitler’s demands would prevent another war. This policy, adopted by Chamberlain’s government became known as the policy of Appeasement.
The most notable example of appeasement was the Munich Agreement of September 1938 which Hitler signed declaring ‘Peace in our time.’ When Hitler invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia in March 1939, he broke the terms of the Munich Agreement. Although it was realised that the policy of appeasement had failed, Chamberlain was still not prepared to take the country to war over “..a quarrel in a far-away country between people of whom we know nothing.” Instead, he made a guarantee to come to Poland’s aid if Hitler invaded Poland.
 _________
The Witnesses are to be commended for their position on not taking part in warfare and so too the other religions which also do not take part in warfare:
*Moravians (one of the very first Protestant religions dating back to the 1500’s)
 *Brethern (Dunkards) groups, including Church of the Brethren
 *Anabaptist groups, including
– Mennonites (16th century group numbering 1.5 million)
– Hutterites
– Schwenkfelders
– Bruderhof Communities
– Amish (numbering approximately 200,000)
 *Society of Friends (Quakers)
 *Doukhobors – 17th century breakaway from Russian Orthodox
 *Molokans – 17th century breakaway from Russian Orthodox
 *Some Pentecostal groups such as the Pentecostal Charismatic Peace Fellowship
 *Seven Day Adventists
 *Community of Christ
 *Christadelphians
 *Worldwide Church of God
 *Pax Christi – A Catholic peace movement
 *Fellowship of Reconciliation – A group formed in 1914 to unite pacifists regardless of denomination.
 All major religious denominations have affiliated associations including
 *Anglican Pacifist Fellowship
 *Methodist Peace Fellowship
 *Baptist Peace Fellowship
 *Orthodox Peace Fellowship
 *Lutheran Peace Fellowship
 *Presbyterian Peace Fellowship
 (list taken from:http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/war.php)
* Jainism
Reply
 
 
 Big B says:

 June 8, 2016 at 10:52 am
 
@ Meg
Good point. Hitler would probably called in his political favors and asked His Holiness the Pope.
 (If he had asked nicely.) 🙂
No, really. The Vatican had a standing army at that time. Now, other than the police of the City of Rome, the Vatican calls upon the Swiss Guard (with modern weaponry) to protect His Holiness.
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Anonoymous says:

 June 8, 2016 at 1:19 pm
 
I’m reminded of a quote:
“I would never die for my beliefs because I might be wrong.” – Bertrand Russell
I think it’s a stretch to say that the soldiers motivation in fighting Nazi Germany in WWII was that they were standing up for their beliefs. Not only was Hitler a despot who needed to be stopped. The horrors Nazi Germany perpetrated against humanity, were objective facts.
Reply
 
 
 Winston Smith says:

 June 8, 2016 at 2:55 pm
 
Sarah,
Point-counterpoint: What if only the Americans had refused to fight in WWII (like the Witnesses)? That was actually a very real possibility as most Americans at the time didn’t want to get involved with what was seen as purely a European conflict. Sprichst du Deutsch?
The problem is that the JW solution only works if you can guarantee that absolutely everyone will abide by it. If you only have even a handful of oppressive folks who are willing to pursue power to the detriment of others, there will always be a need for war. Although horrible in nature, I feel that WWII was probably one of the most necessary wars. Should Hitler have been allowed to run unchecked, causing misery and suffering of countless millions? While a horrible reality for the soldiers who died fighting him, their lives are ones of honor as they stood up for the rights of others.
WS
Reply
 
 
 
 Mark Hunter says:

 June 8, 2016 at 12:34 am
 
Amazing summation of a truly horrendous piece of abusive propaganda.
This religion is showing – in plain sight – how awful the life of a typical Jehovah’s Witnesses can – and often will – be.
Meanwhile, in the ubiquitous ivory towers in New York, the leaders are shielded and protected from the hardships they foist upon the faithful, shifting and changing the rules as they see fit.
Reply
 
 fallingangel75 says:

 June 9, 2016 at 2:15 am
 
I have also had the thought that they are making us think that it could be worse. I know many husbands and fathers including my own who have passed up promotions and raises because job duties would interfere with meetings and field service.
And some who have been completely fired from jobs.
Granted, secular work isn’t everything, and sometimes people pursue careers and chase money to the detriment and neglect of their families as well, and that is the other extreme.
But I feel like this video is partially to indoctrinate (and reassure, and potentially guilt and shame) those who regret their choices. Or like in my case – their spouse’s or their parents’ choices.
Because losing a job or missing a promotion is NOT as bad as going to prison or dying for lack of a blood transfusion. So I believe a deliberate effort is being made to compare and contrast.
The GB propaganda machine is acknowledging that people are making constant sacrifices at their behest.
Individuals are constantly making choices and decisions that are diminishing their quality of life now in the hopes of earning life in paradise.
But I believe that they deliberately featured an extreme example to make the average JWs in Western lands feel better about the things that they have given up.
I think the takeaway is this: my life sucks right now, but not as bad as Sergei’s did. If he cold put up with and remain faithful after losing almost everything, I can deal with the loss of one or two things.
Health or career or material possessions or friends and family abandoned through shunning.
It’s not so bad.
It could be much worse.
Reply
 
 
 
 Jeffreycanning says:

 June 8, 2016 at 12:59 am
 
Don’t you just hate the dumb bastards…
Reply
 
 
 Gary says:

 June 8, 2016 at 2:07 am
 
“The truth and nothing but the truth”.
It’s a motto I keep to and which, I think, allows my mind the freedom to be open, search and to question.
 In Lloyds rebuttal video a scene is depicted (produced by Watchtower) at the Kingdom Hall where Sergei asks an old friend where such and such is so he can make arrangements to see him. . . Her reply is telling. . .”YOU CAN’T” (30:11)
 He, it appears,”has left the “truth” (a fate worse than death, q the mournful music)
 Because he no longer accepts Watchtowers version of “the truth” he is to be shunned, he is dead.
 All on the word of mouth of others. . . Shut the door on a life long friendship now without question!
 The reason I point this out is because twice this week I have been pre-emptively shunned because I don’t attend meetings regularly.
 There is another saying. . The truth will find you out.
Reply
 
 
 Gary says:

 June 8, 2016 at 2:11 am
 
At least Sergei’s had a positive life 🙂
Reply
 
 
 Gary says:

 June 8, 2016 at 2:29 am
 
“Nobody in history has been more prolific at killing Jehovahs Witnesess than Watchtower itself”
A stunning conclusion, thank you JWSurvey.
Reply
 
 
 Eric Arthur Blair says:

 June 8, 2016 at 4:34 am
 
I can’t believe how appalling these videos are, but I think they reveal more than Watchtower would like to admit. Some themes are coming through loud and clear (other than the usual two – fear and guilt.)
Firstly, it’s clear that people are leaving. The real truth is getting out there and into the Kingdom Halls one way or another. I see in these videos Watchtower’s response to that trend – they are trying to frighten and threaten people into staying (ie. the bunker videos) and they are trying to severe the connections between those leaving and those still in so that those leaving can’t explain their reasons and what they are discovering.
Secondly, they are trying to pre-empt and anticipate every scenario so that everything is scripted in advance. In other words, when you face this situation, or hear this from somebody else, this is how you respond, this is what you say. Don’t think about it, just do what we say. (Control, control, control!)
I could say more but I have to go and vomit now – the emotive music and cheezy acting are making me feel nauseous.
Reply
 
 Freed Mason says:

 June 8, 2016 at 9:51 am
 
I agree with you Eric, people are no fools, the principles such as “the golden rule” and “blood is thicker than water” are built into our psyche from birth and are the basic principals that most of us live and die by.
 In my experience – I was initially disowned and viewed as dead by my friends and family after I left along with very strong worded and vindictive messages – I did not retaliate – my usual response was “please respect my choice as I respect yours”.
Ten years later my family and a few former friends have apologized and admit that nothing should be allowed to come between us, it took time yes, but the penny eventually dropped that I was not the enemy as most leavers are portrayed as by the organisation.
 If we all take this stand along with our family and friends we will have the best weapon at our disposal against a cult – Love and Respect of your fellow man.
Reply
 
 
 
 nullandvoidboy says:

 June 8, 2016 at 4:41 am
 
My mouth is left wide open….I can not believe that for 40 yrs of my life I was a drone…I would’ve looked at this video and been shamed by the fact that Sergie was a better “brother” than me….and now that I’m out, I can’t believe how flagrant WT is shaming, repressing and stealing ones life away from people….all with our permission….and now I take back my life, my self worth and I’m angry…I shake my fist at that Tower of lies…and every time I drive by it in Brooklyn, I raise my middle finger and give them the salute they deserve.
Reply
 
 Fooledmeonce says:

 June 8, 2016 at 5:13 am
 
Soon they won’t even be in Brooklyn! A lot less people will be driving by their toxic headquarters in Warwick.
Reply
 
 
 
 Fooledmeonce says:

 June 8, 2016 at 5:11 am
 
The Jehovah’s Witnesses love the simple command, “You can’t”. I’ve heard that many times while I was still brainwashed but I would never swallow the fact that I couldn’t do anything. When I heard “you can’t” then that would propel me to go and do that very thing, and rub it in the faces of the ‘brothers’ who told me that I couldn’t.
 I’m not talking about doing something that was obviously wrong, I’m talking about how these power-hungry, and lofty JWs would try and keep you out of school, a career, a vacation or visiting someone who was disfellowshipped. I did all of that and now I don’t even bother to slow down to hear what they THINK I can or cannot do.
Reply
 
 
 Jesse says:

 June 8, 2016 at 5:48 am
 
Really fantasize that some radical would drive a truck filled with TNT into Warwick…
…all those people who died on 9/11… I really wished they flew into the Watchtower headquarters instead.
Born into the “faith”, once I could leave home I did. Needless to say I had to make a family as mine is silent.
Anonymous, can you perform a DoSA on JW servers?
Something needs to be done to combat this.
Reply
 
 Covert Fade says:

 June 8, 2016 at 8:10 am
 
I understand that Watchtowers violation of human rights are very upsetting, but I would be horrified if a terrorist attack were carried out up Jehovah’s Witnesses. It would be an appalling act of mass murder.
Personally speaking, I don’t support DoSA attacks on JW.org either. I support freedom of speech. Jehovah’s Witnesses have the right to speak, and we have the right to criticise their speech with ours. Not a fan of shutting anyone’s speech down.
Reply
 
 
 Winston Smith says:

 June 8, 2016 at 3:49 pm
 
Consider too that an attack on Watchtower headquarters would only serve to make martyrs of the victims. They would be elevated to Saint-like status. Not the way to operate.
WS
Reply
 
 
 JBob says:

 June 9, 2016 at 11:48 am
 
@Jesse – this is one reason “just get over it” is difficult. Tons of anger, resentment and frustration without outlet. And, I’m not judging these emotions as improper or invalid. The issue is finding a positive outlet to defuse or release those bundled-up emotions.
As the videos in this series indicate, for so long we were in an environment that portrayed ideals–ideal people–and dealt with people who judged us for not living up to those ideals that even they couldn’t meet 100%. Some got “free passes” while others did not.
We grew up in an environment where there were so many contradicting goals and objectives and a lack of how to resolve these conflicting goals. Many of these goals flew directly against human nature–the God-given nature.
I encourage you to seek out professional assistance–someone whom you can talk out your frustrations with reflective understanding on specific sources of anger, or frustration. This will aid you in moving away from indirect influence of the Watchtower, because even though you are physically away from this group, it still operates on your psychological core and emotional core.
It is one reason–though I dislike the severance from family–I don’t oppose shunning, because it actually helps individuals get further away from a toxic spew from the Watchtower. And, sometimes, these JWSurvey articles which focus on the events in Watchtower-land are not the best readings for persons experiencing the anger/frustration phase of leaving. It helps when the articles dissect the material to explain how we were “unduly influenced” but no help if it beats the same drum of angst on material the Watchtower keeps repeating over and over and over without offering a roadmap out of the anger-cycle.
Now, the positive news?
You’re no longer handcuffed to the stob the Watchtower used on you as a baby elephant. You are free to roam. You’re even free to pursue whatever dream you wanted before being derailed by Watchtower “icons” in your local congregation.
The best payback in this case is becoming a better you than the Watchtower envisioned for you.
Reply
 
 
 
 Straw Heart says:

 June 8, 2016 at 6:00 am
 
Ah those memories years ago,
 When life was full and rich with woe,
 To serve Jehovah you were hated
 But ha ridicule is overrated.
 You saddled up and on your way
 To preach good news and pray and pray,
 That you will live forever more,
 And not be killed or starve before
 The kingdom of love arrived
 And you would keep your eyes on the prize,
 Your pain was nothing, your hurt was good,
 The Watchtower said it,
 So it must be true,
 But don’t fear because Jehovah cares for you.
 So hide your pain and have no pride
 Keep suffering he’s on your side.
Reply
 
 dee2 says:

 June 8, 2016 at 12:08 pm
 
You sound like you could be a poet…….. good that you didn’t let the WT squash your talent! ☺
Reply
 
 
 
 Chico Trinidad says:

 June 8, 2016 at 6:06 am
 
In regards to the varying temperament of Circuit Overseers. I had a CO once named “Slicing Dyson”. He was notorious for deleting appointed brothers and regular pioneers, thus his nickname “Slicing”. If a pioneer didn’t have a bible study they got deleted. When he visited halls and had the elder servant meeting usually at 7PM on a non meeting night, he would lock the doors to the Kingdom Hall so latecomers couldn’t attend, as if these elders and servants didn’t have jobs rush to the hall from tgat provided for their families, for a meeting that only took place twice a year. Talk about being Christ like.
Reply
 
 Eric Arthur Blair says:

 June 8, 2016 at 2:50 pm
 
Yes, we had one like that too, known locally as “Bob the Bulldozer.” When it was announced to the body that we were getting him next, most of the older elders groaned in pain. One of them later said to me, “Bob may be a bulldozer, but we have to replant the roses he uproots after he’s been through.” Actually, in hindsight I’m glad I met him because he contributed a big way to my awakening. Bob the Bully more like.
Reply
 
 Winston Smith says:

 June 8, 2016 at 3:56 pm
 
An abrasive (and seemingly corrupt) CO contributed to my awakening as well. The kind of guy who would lie right to your face and not even flinch. Must have been his version of theocratic warfare.
This is really sort of funny: we had him back when Facebook was just starting to get popular. He said that if any elder or servant or members of their household had a FB account they would be deleted. He then said that he had an account under a fake name to see who he could catch.
WS
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Big B says:

 June 8, 2016 at 8:32 am
 
Great article Covert Fade. A concise summary and comments on a possible productive life wasted on a covetous, time bandit cult.
Hopefully, many active or fading Jehovah’s Witnesses that visit this site will come to the same conclusions that were summarized in the article. The Almighty Sovereign of the Universe does not want anything from his human creation other than love; which happens to be the first and most important of the Ten Commandments (which is why it is listed first).
God Almighty does not expect anyone to have loyal love to a manmade organization of imperfect men. Sergei’s life shows what happens when a cult decides to control every aspect of a person’s life. “Serve Jehovah now, you have an eternity to follow your talents and dreams in Paradise Earth;” a hope that will never be realized in your lifetime.
Persecuted for his “faith” in the faulty interpretations of imperfect men (the Governing Body of the Watchtower Corporation), we see Sergei missing out on a productive fulfilling life, spending five years in prison, losing his father, losing contact with a friend who has left “the TRUTH”, working at a slavish blue collar job for a dictatorial supervisor who demands more of his time than his religion allows, and finally, to add insult to injury, he is expected to die from an operation that requires him to refuse blood. What pathos, a wasted life built on false hopes and promises but Sergei has persevered and “fought the fine fight for the faith”. Or has he?
What is even more saddening is the fact that this drama (bad acting set aside) typifies the Jehovah’s Witnesses cult to a tee. In answer to the statement, “Even if this were not the Truth it is still the best way of living” all Jehovah’s Witnesses need only to ask Sergei. Oh, sorry… he died; disappointed, discouraged, disgruntled, disillusioned, and unfulfilled. To bad, so sad. Hypothetically speaking, if he could travel back in time, knowing how his life turned out, would he do things differently? We would certainly hope so.
Reply
 
 
 rob says:

 June 8, 2016 at 9:10 am
 
Many years ago I was told by a fellow witness that we had to suffer if we wanted to gain everlasting life. That we had to give up things that we loved and had to make sacrifices to be approved for the new system.
Why? God made the beautiful earth for us to enjoy, he made music, he made people who have wonderful personalities different from ours so that we could talk and reason with them and see a different perspective.
But the witnesses cannot enjoy this earth, they cannot develop their talents for fear that they will not work hard for the corporate religion.
They must shun anyone who does not think like them or act like them and who tells them that perhaps the witness religion has some flaws.
All in all it becomes a life of waiting, not enjoying the great things that God gave us to enjoy, not allowing oneself to manifest and celebrate their own talents because that would be prideful and would be selfish. They must put the corporate religion first.
So many people unfortunately never realize that their lives have passed them by. I wasted so many years telling myself that it didn’t matter if i passed up a scholarship or did not play on a sports team or did not take that holiday because of the convention coming up, or did not talk to my non witness family, all because I would be in the new system and could enjoy myself then – in the future – in a different world.
Pretty presumptuous on my part to think firstly that just because I called myself a witness and attended meetings I would be saved and would be in the new system and pretty presumptuous to think that if I was not a witness I would not be saved.
 I was not charitable, I did not volunteer at soup kitchens, I did not help others in need other than to go to their homes on saturday morning and judge them unworthy for salvation because they did not accept the magazines.
I finally freed myself from the shackles, although the scars do still exist and the pain from the shackles still manifest themselves from time to time because of losing lifetime friends and close family to this religion.
I finally realized that in order to be a spiritual person suffering was not mandatory, but that suffering happens and affects all people and bad things happen to all people, but along with the suffering there should be moments of joy from experiencing life and living life and that God wants us to live our lives and develop our talents and just as Jesus did, talk to all people and just try to be happy.
I was not happy as a witness. How could I be? I was constantly told that everything was bad – holidays – higher education – playing organized sports and the list goes on and on. Being a witness was an experience from which I learned to never let anyone tell me not to enjoy things which God made me to enjoy, because these moments of happiness are always interspersed between times of unhappiness and even tragic events.
I feel bad for the witnesses who put everything on hold for the new system – who sacrifice everything for a religion that equates itself with God. Who feel that they cannot enjoy this life because something way better is in store for them. I just cannot believe that God would want people to be unhappy and even shun other people.
I do feel that God has a plan for me in the future and I definitely try to now live my life as a charitable person and try to help others when I can but also have realized that God has given me this life and that is a great gift for me.
Reply
 
 Big B says:

 June 8, 2016 at 11:03 am
 
@ Rob
Very well stated and very true. If only our ex- brothers and sisters would see the TRUTH about the “truth”. Well there is always hope that someday they will do research, without the fear of men (Governing Body) thus seeing through this veil of deception and deceit.
Reply
 
 
 Eric Arthur Blair says:

 June 8, 2016 at 4:14 pm
 
Rob, you just summarised my whole life, thank you. It’s great to be alive (and free.) Rock on!
Reply
 
 
 fallingangel75 says:

 June 9, 2016 at 2:44 am
 
@ rob, it seems so backwards to me that Witnesses go to such great lengths to tell people how wonderful the earth is, and our bodies, and nature. All evidence that we were designed by God to enjoy life on earth and not in heaven.
All evidence of his great love for us.
We are not supposed to suffer now to learn to be angels. This is not what Jehovah wants for us, for he is a happy God who wants us to enjoy life with our families.
This belief is supposedly at the core of Witness doctrine.
But, yet this same God asks us to defer every normal human goal and desire, to deny our presumably God-given talents, and constantly recommend that others do the same?
To what end?
THE END, obviously, but once you realize that isn’t the unassailable truth you’ve been told it is, the sacrifices demanded are not only meaningless, they are also harmful and cruel.
Reply
 
 
 Amber Waves says:

 June 10, 2016 at 9:21 am
 
It’s like hitting yourself in the head with a hammer… because it’s going to feel SO good when you stop.
Reply
 
 
 
 Oubliette says:

 June 8, 2016 at 9:40 am
 
CF, Really excellent analysis and deconstruction of this bit of propaganda from the WTBTS.
I think it was particularly effective the way you kept referring to your thesis: “Even if this were not the Truth, this would still be the best way to live” and allowed the account to answer for itself, a resoundingly obvious, “No!”
That being said, I think we could also ask the question: “Even if this IS ‘the Truth,’ would this still be the best way to live?”
My experience shows that the answer to that question is also a firm negative. What kind of God would require such things of his faithful followers? Not one worthy of my worship.
The plain fact is this: the leadership of the WTBTS do not represent “truth” or any creator worthy of following. Their teachings and practices destroy lives and breakup families all for the sake of their own selfish gain.
The members of the Governing Body repeatedly demonstrate that they are paranoid believing that the world is “out to get them,” when the fact of the matter is that the majority of humans could not care less about their religion. The few governments that have “persecuted” the JWs have either done so because of destructive behavior which the religion has brought on its members, or because those governments were persecuting many groups.
The Governing Body members are clearly deluded, believing and forcing their followers to believe ideas with no basis in reality. Their behavior shows them to be mental ill. Anyone that follows them will inevitably exhibit the same traits: paranoia, delusional thinking, depression and abusive behavior towards others.
This is why it is so important that those of us that have left educate ourselves on the methods of manipulation that were used on us. It’s an important part of our healing process and can perhaps help us help others that have faded or our beginning their escape from the clutches of this high-control, authoritarian religion.
Let’s review: It’s a cult!
Reply
 
 fallingangel75 says:

 June 9, 2016 at 3:26 am
 
@Oubliette, you ask what kind of God would require such things of his faithful followers?
And then you conclude: not one worthy of your worship.
I have said this to my husband many times of late and all he has heard is blasphemy and apostasy, as he is still all in and with blinders on.
I have said to him: this person they are telling us is God. This person who demands these cruel sacrifices, this cannot be the same Creator who loves us.
And if he IS the true God, and they have got it right, and he is simultaneously heartless and cruel and also supposedly the epitome of love, justice and wisdom and this is the way he treats us –
If he constantly takes from us the basic things that would make us happy now and says that loyalty means we should give them up willingly and not even miss them, then I don’t want to serve that God.
Not even if he IS eventually going to reward me with everlasting life in heaven or on earth.
No thanks! The price of entry is too high.
I’ll take my one short regular human life span and make the most of it, thank you very much!
Even if I were to be proven wrong and the end is real and nearer than I believed and I will die for my so-called lack of faith, so be it.
I’m taking a stand for my belief that the God they are selling is not worthy of my devotion.
But it still pains me that we have this rift, my husband and me, because I do love this man that I married more than anyone I have ever known. And if we will not have forever together, like I once wholeheartedly believed we would, and daily anticipated, I wish we could find a way to be in sync again about the life we have in the here and now. 🙁
Reply
 
 fallingangel75 says:

 June 9, 2016 at 4:30 am
 
There is a lot of effort put in to making us believe that Jehovah (as described by the WTBTS) cares about us as individuals. We are constantly told to cultivate a close personal relationship with him through prayer and to have earnest belief that he hears those prayers.
We are also told that he can see into our hearts and minds and he knows our emotions and thought patterns.
Those of you who have followed my comments know that I stopped going to the meetings when my husband had a change in his hope of living on earth and told me that he is now of the anointed heavenly class.
Ok, yeah, whatever.
Everyone I’m in contact with offline in the real world keeps telling me that it is foolish to lose out on my reward because I don’t like the path Jehovah has chosen for me/us.
But is it?
I mean, really? Even within the framework of their belief system (which I have since abandoned) it stinks to high heaven!
Because I can’t accept it.
That is true. I literally can’t accept it.
I cannot wrap my mind around it.
I cannot believe that a God who loves me and knows me, and knows how long I waited and prayed for a love like ours, a marriage like ours, would let me have it for a brief time and then reveal to us both that our union is to have an expiration date determined by him when he takes my husband to heaven while I remain behind on the earth.
Presumably to start over with someone else, I guess?
Everyone says: but what if your husband died? Wouldn’t you remarry? What if he was unfaithful and you decided to get a scrptural divorce? Wouldn’t you move on with your life?
Yes. Of course I would.
But those are not equivalent scenarios. Not at all.
If my husband was a jerk who mistreated or abused me, or dishonored our marriage by sleeping around, of course I would be happy to move on.
But he is loving and kind and devoted to me.
If he were to die due to accident or illness, also, no choice but to move on. Stuff happens to everyone.
But the difference no one ever wants to address or acknowledge when I confront them is this: JW doctrine teaches that Jehovah chooses each individual that will rule with Christ in heaven.
He calls them personally.
So that means that Jehovah called my husband and chose to separate us, even though he knows that I would not be able to accept it?
Even though he knew the level of my disbelief and disillusionment would be so great that I would not be able to serve him in the way that he has commanded through his one approved channel.
But my inability to worship him in the prescribed way inevitably lead to my death, right?
If he knows me, he would have foreseen this.
One doesn’t even have to be God to observe a close friend or family member and know whether or not your actions will hurt them.
We make choices all the time and refrain from actions like lying or adultery because we know these actions will cause irreparable damage to our relationships.
Jehovah (as described) would have to know that anointing my husband would cause irreparable damage to my relationship with him.
Irreparable.
So what thought follows then?
He decided that I was expendable after a lifetime of service and sacrifice and hopes and dreams deferred?
As you would expect, not one person has had any satisfying answers for me.
Except that I should adjust my viewpoint.
If one more person tells me to watch the Important Reminder video, I swear to God….
I have been told to focus on my individual relationship with Jehovah and ignore my husband’s delusion. And I have been told that even though Jehovah plans to take this husband from me, surely he will see to it that I get a better one in the new system.
I have been told that I think my husband is the best I can do, but if I am faithful and loyal, Jehovah will prove me wrong in a spectacular way!
Even if I do simply brush my husband’s new belief about his destiny aside as a delusion, it is still a delusion inspired and supported by the JW belief system.
And no one is willing to talk about that at all!
I don’t believe it is true, but I keep coming back to what it would mean for me and my relationship with Jehovah if it was true.
What if it was the truth? Would this still be the best way of life?
Continuing to serve the God who would separate me from the man I want to spend forever with out of fear I will be destroyed otherwise? Going through the motions and routines of coerced and practiced ‘loyalty’ in the hopes that the same God who is taking my husband will give me a new and better one some time in a hazy and indefinite future?
Yeah, sure. Sign me up!
I keep telling everyone that it’s not even about whether my husband’s hope changes back or whether he wakes up one day and decides he was wrong.
I have still rejected the belief system that created and supported the delusion. It is part of how I came to recognize the doctrines as false, and I cannot come back from that.
Reply
 
 Imgonaburn says:

 June 9, 2016 at 3:39 pm
 
..the same principle applies to all who are married to a jw if they personally can no longer be a part of the religion. I’m out but my husband is still in. It’s a bit hard to take when I think that he believes that I’m going to die at Armageddon whilst he supposedly lives forever. How can he accept that I am good enough for him but unacceptable to Jehovah?? In their way of thinking I deserve to die because last year I had a Christmas tree and excercised my right to vote in the general election. It’s pathetic.
 I left the religion when I discovered my autistic son is homosexual. He was age 15 at the time. I couldn’t bear the thought of him being alone for the rest of his life and couldn’t accept that he was doomed to die at Armageddon. My first reaction wasn’t one of repulsion, shock or shame, it was omg if he’s going to die at Armageddon I can’t abandon him and let him die alone. I’ll die with him! I’ve since realised that it’s all bs. Yet it hurts me that they can bury their heads in the sand and rely upon Jehovah to see something in my heart that will redeem me. I’m no better or worse than any other human. I don’t believe in much if anything now! Why are they so blind and gullible? Why can’t they be moved with the natural compassion that we should feel for our family members and close loved ones and feel as I did about my son and choose me? Family should come before religion.
 I have come to the decision that I am worth more than that! If, after hearing the programme of talks and videos at this coming District Convention, the attitude of my adult jw children and my husband leans toward shunning me then I will walk away from them and start a new life for myself.
 We have a holiday booked prior to convention and already I’m thinking…’will this be the last holiday I take with my husband?’ I truly hope that it doesn’t come to that. I never believed it when worldy people would say that jws split families apart but I know for sure now that it’s true. I just hope that it’s not true for my family.
Reply
 
 fallingangel75 says:

 June 9, 2016 at 4:48 pm
 
You truly sound like a kindred spirit, Imgonaburn. I would have made the same choice if I had a homosexual child.
I have known and befriended far too many homosexuals to believe it is something they could or should suppress.
Of all people I have known, homosexual and heterosexual alike, I have seen people who were promiscuous and unable to maintain stable relationships.
It does seem better to be in committed and monogamous relationships and for children to have two parents who love them.
But I have seen no superiority in families with one man and one woman.
And of parents, same-sex couples rarely have children by accident. They have or adopt children mindfully and intentionally.
I would put my family first also. Which is why it hurts me so much for me to see that my husband believes he was chosen and I was not and he’s not just as heart-broken at the thought as I am.
Why is it not a complete non-sequitur that he can continue to adore me, and know that I am a good and loving person, but also believe that God has rejected me?
How can he accept that God made us so predictably human, but that the same God would punish us for not being uncharacteristically transcendent?
Even if I believed, I would not want heaven if my husband could not come.
I ask myself every day if this means I love him more than he loves me.
I’ve asked him too. He says it doesn’t. He says he’s taking the long view of what is best for us eternally and my view is too narrow and too human.
Oh. Ok.
Part of what I always loved about him even while we were both in is that he was on the more lenient and less conservative side in all things.
He’s a little bit of a bad boy and a little bit of a rebel.
He used to joke with me and say: if we ever get into trouble, let’s do it right and do it together. I never want to be without you.
And I was always the straight man who said: let’s not get into trouble so we never have to make that choice.
And now this: idealogically divided and I didn’t even do anything wrong.
Punished and facing exclusion same as if I had.

 
 
 John ship says:

 June 10, 2016 at 3:07 am
 
I am in similar position .im woken up .wife still in.as you say .one of my sons is gay and my brothers are not jws. Id rather be with family than with people who would treat you as dead just because of differing beliefs…ive been in 50 years now 72 but am free from mind control and ok with jesus and new life its so hard tho when partner is still trapped..this convention will be my last ive told my wife.

 
 
 Winston Smith says:

 June 10, 2016 at 11:27 am
 
@Imgonaburn
 BTW, voting has been relegated to a conscience matter per w99 11/1 pp. 28-29 Questions From Readers. They technically cannot make trouble for you over your choice to vote in an election.
WS

 
 
 fallingangel75 says:

 June 11, 2016 at 2:20 pm
 
Right? about voting. That totally went under the radar.
Someone (probably more than one person) has said that a large part of the reason for the switch to the digital library online is that it will be easier to make changes and pretend like it was always the new way.*
It’s a lot harder to do when you can drag out a bound volume or print something from the cd library that disproves the new understanding. Flatly.
But the direction things seem to be moving towards, where their reasons basically boil down to: ‘because we said so and we were appointed by God to speak for him’ is going to make that moot as well.
I wonder if they are going to have new light that ‘corrects’ that article on voting or if they will ignore it a while longer so as not to draw attention.
I’m sure most current witnesses never read it, or read it and totally discounted it because of the part where it says to consider whether it will stumble others who find out.
That usually means ‘you can but you shouldn’t’ in JWspeak.
*when I first read that months ago while I was just beginning to see through the GB lies, I thought that was an unfairly cynical view.
I believed the story about simplifying to save money and make resources go farther to better advance kingdom interests.
I believed they were genuinely trying to make it easier for more people to have instant access.
I feel so gullible now.

 
 
 
 
 
 Winston Smith says:

 June 9, 2016 at 6:10 am
 
Excellent assessment Oubliette!
 Following the GB seems to fit the scriptural concept: “Can the blind guide the blind? Won’t they both fall into a pit?”
WS
Reply
 
 
 
 ScotWm says:

 June 8, 2016 at 9:55 am
 
For those who have wondered where the Watchtower gets its video “actors”, the link below provides some answers. It’s interesting to see how cult members wrestle with their consciences when they are assigned to play roles of bad boys and girls.
The video’s main bad boy actually does a credible job in his portrayal of a Witness gone wrong. The brother of the prodigal son is the worst actor of the bunch. This guy would have made a great Nazi. The young Witness starlets must be developing a fan base of congregation fan boys who would like to date them and have them to do a reprisal of their video roles.
The ‘behind the scenes’ video interview and “The Prodigal Returns” can be found here:
https://www.jw.org/en/publications/videos/prodigal-son-returns/
Reply
 
 
 ruthlee says:

 June 8, 2016 at 11:01 am
 
They don’t want the poor chap to learn the violin because they will never need the sad music coming from his gifted hands. Boy they do have to work so hard for their paradise. Good luck to them I’m sure bunkering down with the uneducated and ignoramus elite will be just fine and dandy. Just a precursor to eternity and not a panda in sight . I hope someone takes a panda into the bunker or there will be some very disappointed children when they emerge .Can anyone tell me if any point of what we believed was true? I’m at a loss to find anything credible now (apart from the bible). Was it all really such bunkem. I hope people will see how living in a bunker is not gods plan. In thought, but not fear and trepidation. cheers Ruthlee
Reply
 
 Steve McRoberts says:

 June 8, 2016 at 1:02 pm
 
@Ruthlee: I think they were right about there being no literal hell-fire; that Christmas has pagan origins (as do most things); and about religion having been largely a force for evil throughout history.
Pretty much wherever their beliefs match what atheists have been saying for centuries, they are spot-on.
Reply
 
 
 JBob says:

 June 9, 2016 at 12:21 pm
 
@ruthlee – I have reached a point on my spiritual journey that puts the Bible into a different perspective than the Watchtower taught (and many fundamental/evangelical groups).
Most of what the Watchtower taught I now see reflects on their goal to earn money for Watchtower, Inc. [albeit wrapped in “the new system is so close”]. This includes their steering younger persons away from immediate marriage and bearing children to focus on full-time ministry to their steering new converts to drop all non-Watchtower pursuits and transform into Watchtower, Inc. “agents”.
Reply
 
 
 
 Sarah says:

 June 8, 2016 at 1:09 pm
 
Does someone want to give an opinion on ‘Jehovah chooses the elders’? I like to read what you’re all thinking.
My own view is that this is a piece of false modesty. An elder might like to think he was not appointed by men, but that God did. Are they forgetting Jesus telling them not to lord it over others, or that they are not masters of anyone’s faith?
Does this belief in being appointed by holy spirit give these ones the viewpoint they are above, and better than, anyone else?
Thanks, Covert, for starting the ideas rolling.
Reply
 
 Gary says:

 June 8, 2016 at 2:32 pm
 
From a biblical point of view the answer, in my opinion, is no.
 The apostles were directly chosen by Christ and then appointed within the congregations as the older men no doubt to feed the new sheep, others would join them to be elders and then assist with congregation activity.
 Paul made the point to Timothy not to “hastily put your hands upon a man’ indicating responsibility and likely Eldership.
 That certain men would ‘slip in’ or ‘like the best seats’ shows that Holy Spirit appointments don’t happen and especially after the apostles died.
 Hence Christingdom was eventually born.
 For Witnesses to say they are appointed by Holy Spirit is in fact a falsehood similar to other churches.
 Furthermore even if a person was to be appointed by Holy Spirit it does not guarantee continued faithfulness.
Reply
 
 
 Gary says:

 June 8, 2016 at 2:45 pm
 
The reason I believe the Jehovahs Witnesses say Elders are appointed by Holy Spirit is for ecclesiastical authority.
 Holy Spirit for instance appointed Watchtower leaders ‘over all the masters belongings’ in 1919.
 Either they are mistaken or the Holy Spirit is a lair.
Reply
 
 
 Gary says:

 June 8, 2016 at 2:56 pm
 
If the 1919 appointment is false, as it surely is, then Watchtower is guilty of misleading the entire worldwide brotherhood into a false teaching.
 The alternative is that God is a liar.
 Never once, on any occasion, has the Watchtower admitted it’s ‘mistakes’ and apologised.
 1914
 1919
 1925
 1975
 2000
 and counting. . .
Reply
 
 Dwc says:

 June 8, 2016 at 4:59 pm
 
At the district convention prob 7 years ago I attended in Kamloops BC, brother lett from the platform outright apologized about 1975 and said they were wrong. Shocked the entire audience.
Reply
 
 Tara says:

 June 9, 2016 at 12:35 pm
 
I guess I was there too!
Reply
 
 
 
 Sarah says:

 June 8, 2016 at 11:41 pm
 
Yes, thanks. At Pentecost everyone received holy spirit – men and women. John the Baptist was scathing about the Scribes and Pharisees who ‘seated themselves in the seat of Moses’. Jesus said we only have one leader and one teacher.
Reply
 
 
 Holy Connoli says:

 June 10, 2016 at 1:17 am
 
To Gary: The WT wants everyone to “REPENT” and show remorse for their sins and apologize. Yet, Never, I repeat NEVER has the WT ever apologized for the horrendous false prophecies and harm they have done to the flock by pursuing a course of selfishness and falsehood. All those false dates I guess just keep “OVERLAPPING” each other! lol
Reply
 
 
 
 Dwc says:

 June 8, 2016 at 4:55 pm
 
Jehovah not Jesus nor the Holy Spirit choose elders or ministerial servants. I say this because there have been, for example, a kgb agent who infiltrated a congregation became and elder and had the other elders arrested. Did Jehovah appoint him through HS when God cannot do bad?
Young ms who party hard and lead double lives… Does Jehovah choose them? Yet they are appointed.
 Pedophiles that go untouched and undisciplined yet serve for years and years… That’s not God nor Jesus not HS.
Here’s what really appoints a person:
 1). Above the congregation avg. in hours
 2). Stellar meeting attendance
 3). Happy, subservient attitude
You display those three things and you get appointed plain and simple. It’s bull shit!!
Reply
 
 Winston Smith says:

 June 9, 2016 at 7:22 pm
 
Because of the way the organization operates, about 80% of all elders appointed are simply organizational yes men. They are typically spineless moral wimps who will simply follow what they are told whether it be for the good or for the bad of the congregation (Ex 23:2?).
About 10% are power hungry and want to lord it over others and that fuels their drive to have their position (Matt 20:25). And about 10% really want to help congregation members and serve them (Isa 32:2).
Of course these are general statistics based on my experience. The mix in any one congregation is a crap shoot. Thus you may end up with a really loving body or a really aweful one. But either way the cult influence still exists.
And they are decidedly NOT appointed by Holy Spirit.
WS
Reply
 
 Sarah says:

 June 9, 2016 at 11:33 pm
 
That’s been my experience too. Elders will follow the secret rules set out in secret letters rather than do what the scriptures tell them.
Reply
 
 
 
 
 
 Grace says:

 June 8, 2016 at 3:34 pm
 
Excellent article CF,
I think that’s why there is so much depression & anxiety in the cult. So much sickness & paranoia from what I experienced because its constantly reminding to always dwell on the negatives in life like;
The end is sooooo close.
 We don’t want to make Jehovah sad.
 The governments going to turn on religion.
 We must pack a go bag or find a basement to hide in until they come.
 When the authorities come after us, pray repetitively.
 We don’t want to practice what is pagan like anything that unites families. (because that’s showing favour to satan).
 Satan rules the world.
 The signs are there, the world is falling apart.
 No point having children in this system.
 Don’t pursue an education or career, there’s no point.
 If life is going good for you, you must be doing something wrong because satan is not attacking you.
Argh, I feel depressed just writing this.
Reply
 
 Big B says:

 June 9, 2016 at 7:25 am
 
@ Grace
Yep, it’s the old FOG ploy/plan implemented once and for all time. It never changes Fear, Obligation & Guilt.
Everything you mentioned is absolutely true. How many lives have gone unfulfilled in pursuit of talents, the joys of family and having children forgone, and having an education that will serve to be employed comfortably in a descent paying career abandoned. To what end, to what purpose?
The answer is uncomplicated if Jehovah’s Witnesses would just open their hearts and minds and simply “see”.
According to the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society nothing in this life is worthwhile, “the world is passing away and so is its desires”, wait for Jehovah and the New System where the ‘real life’ awaits.
Oh, and while you’re waiting for that New System cold call the people at their homes and ‘sell’ our message of impending doom and salvation by works and our literature. Oh, don’t forget asking for a contribution.
None are so blind as those that REFUSE to see.
Reply
 
 Grace says:

 June 9, 2016 at 3:41 pm
 
Big B,
I remember back when I was trying to witness to my sister & I was trying to use the doom & gloom message to plead to her sensitivities. But she responded back with; “but I try not to dwell on the negative things going on in the world because I have enough to worry about with keeping my family together”.
Then it dawned on me what Jesus had said about “his load being light”. I feel like the load is not light with this cult & I was just loading her with stuff that she wasn’t able to cope with. Not everyone has the strength of mind to worry constantly about the world & its dramas or even be in a position to fix it. Ramming end-times down someones throat doesn’t fix the world. Besides it’s not healthy & I was not in a healthy place myself. I was depressed.
I realised looking back on that conversation, that I can’t fix the world by fearing her into becoming obligated to slave for the 7 little dwarfs in NY, she had her family to worry about.
And me too, all that I can do is concentrate on making my world a safer place by being “spiritual” & being spiritual to me is being the best possible humanitarian that I can be. I always like the line in the movie “Pay it forward” or what Jesus tried to simplify the overloaded sheep with; “Love God & Love your Neighbour”.
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Christopher says:

 June 8, 2016 at 7:15 pm
 
Looks like the theme of this drama is give everything you have of value to us your talents your freedoms your relationships and in the end your very life and it will all be worth it in the end because you get to live in the fictonal paradise. All I can say is thank God I woke up before I let them take anymore life from me, I am so glad I left.
Reply
 
 
 Quendi says:

 June 8, 2016 at 9:45 pm
 
I enjoyed the summary and have a few observations to make. I was disfellowshipped eleven years ago and have not set foot in a Witness gathering for six years now. I’m glad to be out and free. Still, there are a few Witness tenets that I still believe in because they accord with my own personal beliefs.
I refuse to salute any nation’s flag or sing its national anthem. I will stand out of respect when the colors are presented but that is as far as I will go. I agree with Albert Einstein’s sentiment that nationalism is “the measles of mankind” and that it has done irreparable harm to the human family. Therefore I have nothing to do with patriotic ceremonies or sentiments. My job as a school teacher finds me in positions where flag salute ceremonies are commonplace. I stand quietly and respectfully, but won’t place hand over heart or recite the words. Since I don’t make a big deal out of this, I have never encountered any problems from school officials.
With respect to blood transfusions, I have fortunately never been in a position where one was called for. Should that occasion arise, I probably would insist on an alternative unless it can be shown that the transfusion is the only way to negotiate the medical crisis. There are still many problems associated with the use of blood and I think it wise to use it only as a last resort and not a first or routine one as is often the case.
Shunning works both ways. I don’t go out of my way to greet Witnesses who do not wish for it. I don’t care what reasons they have for shunning me. If they don’t want my company, then I certainly don’t want theirs. A few Witnesses I knew have maintained their ties with me and that has been good. Most severed our relationship and while it was difficult at first, I have moved on with no regrets. The loss is theirs, not mine.
I can relate to Sergei’s loss of a satisfying and creative life as a musician. I sacrificed a career in science and engineering which would have given me much happiness. However, before I left the organization, I returned to college and earned degrees that allowed me to enter the teaching profession and that has opened other doors of achievement for me. When congregation elders questioned my decision to go back to school, I told them that God had given me my life to spend as I saw fit and their interference was not wanted. That ended the discussion.
The sad thing about the Sergei videos is that most Witnesses will swallow their poisonous message hook, line and sinker. What they have chosen to forget is that whether their hopes of a paradise earth are realistic or not, our current lives are transitory and ephemeral and should be lived with all the gusto they can have. That is something a “happy God” would want most for his children, not the joyless, ascetic ones the Watchtower imposes on its adherents.
Reply
 
 fallingangel75 says:

 June 9, 2016 at 5:13 am
 
What is mind-boggling to me is this: when my husband first told me of the change in his hope, I rejected it outright and instantly.
But I have been a good and model JW for my entire life, so when he said, let’s talk to the elders about it, I also did what a good wife would do and I went.
Ok, back to the mind-boggling part: their direct counsel was to make the most of our lives together now. Don’t miss any opportunities to make memories and show each other our love and devotion. Travel, spend time with loved ones, spend more time with each other doing things we enjoy.
Don’t focus on the future and what will happen when the end comes and whether life in paradise will or won’t be the future we imagined together.
Wait? What?
I’m confused.*
Focus on the future? Don’t focus on the future? Live your best life now, no don’t, make any sacrifice necessary to serve Jehovah.
What the hell?!
*I’m not really confused, but I do have great difficulty with the constantly conflicting advice and counsel.
Reply
 
 
 dee2 says:

 June 9, 2016 at 6:23 pm
 
@Quendi:
Blood transfusions have potential adverse effects/side effects/risks just like any other prescribed drug or medical procedure. One needs to evaluate these potential adverse effects/side effects/risks just like they would for any prescribed drug/medical procedure but the bottom line is that blood transfusions save lives despite any adverse effects/side effects/risks associated with it.
Note that the Bible says nothing about blood transfusions or the adverse effects/side effects/risks of same. The JWs have however, developed their no blood transfusion doctrine from scriptures which state that blood is not to be eaten which is with regard to the blood from animals, not from humans (Genesis 9:4, Leviticus 7:26; 17:10, 12-14; 19:26, Leviticus 7:26-27, Acts 15:29); blood must be poured out onto earth, in reference to dead animals (Deuteronomy 12:23, 24).
Even when meat is properly drained, there is still some blood in the meat, so anyone who eats meat, also eats blood.
Reply
 
 Quendi says:

 June 10, 2016 at 12:39 pm
 
Dee2, I agree that blood transfusions are useful, even life-saving, and that all patients must carefully evaluate their administration in each case. I merely say that they are often routinely administered without those risks being considered by either physician or patient. The dangers cannot simply be dismissed out of hand merely because a medical authority advocates the use of blood, and it is in light of this that I would want blood transfused as a last resort and not a first one.
When one reads the Bible’s discussion on the handling of blood, it is clearly in the context of hunting, animal husbandry and ritual sacrifice. Those were the legitimate situations in ancient Israel and why proscriptions were given. They clearly were not meant to be interpreted for medical practice as the Watchtower has chosen to do so. So I agree with you when you criticize the Watchtower’s fanaticism about the blood ban it has imposed on its members.
That must also be the reasoning applied to the words of the apostolic letter of the first century which was sent to all the known congregations of that time. Eating blood was a common practice–the mention of blood puddings and blood sausages in ancient writings make that clear–and the apostles and elders in Jerusalem wanted to remind fellow Christians that they would also do well to avoid such foods. This is still commonplace today in many lands and on the rare occasion when I was offered “black sausages” when traveling abroad, I politely declined. But it is also certain that first century Christians would never have thought about using blood in any medical context as that was inconceivable to them. The Watchtower’s irresponsible interpretation of the Bible’s words about blood usage is just one more egregious crime the organization is guilty of.
Reply
 
 Winston Smith says:

 June 10, 2016 at 8:38 pm
 
I am acquainted with several doctors and surgeons and they all see blood transfusions as a last resort. The days of blood simply being transfused as a matter of routine is a thing of the past according to these doctors. Also it is very unlikely that whole blood is transfused, except in extreme circumstances. Because of its value and limited availability, only the part of the blood needed is used during surgery.
WS
Reply
 
 
 
 
 
 Gary says:

 June 8, 2016 at 10:57 pm
 
They failed to portray segei’s abuse.
If the database of alleged abusers were to be released and the true number known it would be the end for Watchtower (no wonder their hiding in bunkers while judging the rest of humanity with their ‘new light’ judgement message).
 Not necessarily because of the number of paedophiles associated with the Watchtower but the number of times it failed to report accusations to the authorities.
 Let me put it like this, someone has access to it.
Reply
 
 
 vivian says:

 June 8, 2016 at 10:57 pm
 
My father left jws in the late 80s, early 90’s and watched his children grow up in the cult. last year i finally woke up. when i watch these videos and anti jw publications of sorts with him he finds no humor and sarcasm any more. So much sadness. Hes watched it all for so long, and hoped for decades it would fall. Yet, most family are at warwick, missionary, circuit work etc and i have little hope for the generation in front of me, my mother aunts and uncles and grand parents. The family has been so completely immersed for so many decades they would function so poorly at this point. the group is so child like and immature in nature im filled with embarrassment and sadness.
Reply
 
 
 Cheryl says:

 June 9, 2016 at 12:35 am
 
So Sergei lives a life unfulfilled sacrificing his potential music career but Prince is lauded by the JWs as been one of their own and allowed to maintain his life and fame. Hypocritical much?
Reply
 
 fallingangel75 says:

 June 9, 2016 at 5:15 am
 
I had that exact same thought, Cheryl.
Reply
 
 
 
 Jakemon75 says:

 June 9, 2016 at 7:10 am
 
Wow, Spielberg beware! The “dot.org” has their very own summer blockbusters!
What’s next? A video about a kid that wants to see the next Nemo movie and yet decides that it would be more fun to donate it to Watchtower?
I think I’ll go to a convention this summer with a big bag of popcorn and some 3D glasses. With the budgets that they have for these films (hundreds of millions of dollars from New York property sales) they should be able to afford Adam Sandler soon.
Reply
 
 
 rob says:

 June 9, 2016 at 8:33 am
 
I still marvel at the fact that the dramas and presentations and videos shown at the conventions are so out of touch with reality and so overly dramatic and so unrealistic. And if someone on the stage did have a moment of lapse or a moment of anger at certain things that happened, they would suddenly and instantly have an epiphany and then all would be right and all would be forgiven and everything would go back to perfect.
I used to chuckle when I would see a family on the stage and the children would rather go in service than to a movie or the park. And the parents would be gushing at how wonderful it was to have the privilege to serve the religion rather than pursuing a worldly career or education.
Instead they should present reality – kids who don’t want to go in service. Parents who fight all the time because of financial difficulties. Brothers and sisters who gossip about everything and everyone in the cars during field service. Witnesses who drink to excess to try and numb the depression and anxiety of trying to keep the endless hours of personal study and making sure the watchtower was studied and underlined so that no one would see the pages of the watchtower unmarked and getting the children ready for the meetings week after week and making sure the children sat perfectly quiet in the meetings for fear they should distract anyone trying to listen to the endless drivel from the platform. The anxiety of having to cold call on strangers every saturday morning and the endless knocking on doors that would not open. Drinking to forget the unfulfilled dreams and wasted talents.
Also, the ever so constant worry and constant looking over one’s shoulder wondering about anything that was said or done which was a little inappropriate, perhaps a dress a little too short, a brother unshaven, a joke that was a little risque, a comment made in passing about not agreeing with a particular sentence in the watchtower.
Even more serious, the families torn apart by disfellowshipping, and throwing young children out on the street, and the suicides resulting from disfellowshipping, the cover ups of pedophiles, the ever changing doctrine, the inability to question anything in the watchtower, the control and manipulation of some power hungry elders…..
This religion operates in an atmosphere of suspicion, everyone watches everyone to make sure that the rules are being followed. This is absolutely not how it is presented on the stage and not how it is presented to the unsuspecting world.
Reply
 
 Big B says:

 June 9, 2016 at 10:16 am
 
Right on Rob!
Can you imagine the horror of living in a “New System” (Paradise Earth) for eternity, if you’re fortunate to survive to the end of the Millennial Reign, with these back stabbing, snitching, stool pigeons?
Talk about a living Hell; day in and day out, for eternity with the constant “lets watch how we walk and watch how we talk and stumble none in our ministry” attitude.
Not my idea of a Paradise, how about you?
Reply
 
 Grace says:

 June 9, 2016 at 3:49 pm
 
Rob,
I couldn’t have put it better like you did. You expressed the secret thoughts that I had for long while I was in. Depressed & wondering why I never felt good enough.
It’s funny how the depression lifts when you let it go & leave it behind you.
Reply
 
 
 John ship says:

 June 10, 2016 at 5:55 am
 
An elder said to me .”we will all be elders in the new world.” I said but ive never wanted to be an elder ..went down like lead baloon..circuit overseer asked me how i like the broadcast…i said id rather watch a good john wayne western ….thats good now ill never make elder ..ha ha
Reply
 
 
 John ship says:

 June 10, 2016 at 5:55 am
 
An elder said to me .”we will all be elders in the new world.” I said but ive never wanted to be an elder ..went down like lead baloon..circuit overseer asked me how i like the broadcast…i said id rather watch a good john wayne western ….thats good now ill never make elder ..ha ha
Reply
 
 
 Winston Smith says:

 June 10, 2016 at 8:50 pm
 
A comedian once complained about how the JWs keep coming to his door. He said that they keep asking him “But don’t you want to live forever?” His reply: “Not with a bunch of Jehovah’s Witnesses!”
So true, so true.
WS
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Enrico Iglesias says:

 June 9, 2016 at 8:48 am
 
Wow. I’m going to the assembly in a few weeks. All this stuff is there? No matter. I’m here to enjoy life now. I am old. Over the last 56 years I have served in every possible positin in the congregation, from congregation servant to MS to elder to pioneering. And yes, I gave up everything secularly to do that. Got fired. Defrauded by brothers. Slandered. Looked down on. Restricted by the Overseer personally because he had a bug up his nose about me. I was voted the best public speaker in the USA, and best reader. I’m not. Just an an actor who sounds like the best speaker and reader. Acted in all the big dramas back when. Yes, been there done it. Now I attend all the meetings and make interesting and sometimes humorous comments that people constantly verbally validate. I won’t take a position of responsibility anymore. Too much politicking. I just like doing my stuff now. I decided I want the paradise early. My income is limited. I moved to the largest lake in the world. Everyday I bring coffee and plain donuts and just enjoy nature. Go for walks in the forest. As far as I am concerned, I am already in paradise. I no longer buy into the neurotics of others. I mind my own business. I do it alone. I go door to door yet. Love that. I don’t preach to people. I entertain them on their doorstep. I make it like its no big deal if we believe differently. I get into nice conversations. I will even change to a Russian accent or an Irish brogue as I talk to them. Make it fun. These are people with the same problems as anyone else.
As I sit here now enjoying the blue sky and waters of the expansive lake, impressed by the green shoreline in the distance, with a light fog forming across the way, I could not care less about information coming out of New York that may be off the wall. If that stuff blows smoke up their pants, fine for me. I’m already in paradise. And I don’t see any bad people walking around. I see cordial people. We talk. All I say to them is: “Wouldn’t it be nice if the whole earth was this beautiful?” They with drooping appreciative eyelids nod and sigh. What’s so bad about my life? The past is unchangeable.
Reply
 
 rob says:

 June 9, 2016 at 9:17 am
 
Your outlook is refreshing and very positive and I agree that I also could care less now about anything that comes out of New York. But unfortunately I still have family with whom I live and who are very entrenched in the witness religion and who will probably now shun me because of my fading and celebrating holidays.
I unfortunately cannot be an actor and cannot go in service to preach about a religion I no longer accept. I cannot be a part of a religion that on the surface looks shiny and clean but underneath is full of corruption.
I wish it was as easy for me to think that I am already in paradise but the religion just wont allow me to leave without destroying my family ties. Certainly not paradise.
Reply
 
 
 Holy Connoli says:

 June 10, 2016 at 1:30 am
 
Enrico: Like Louis Armstrong song says, “and I say to myself” it’s a wonderful world”.
I am glad you are enjoying yourself like that. However going door-door and just talking with people for fun about a Religion or a belief that you don’t really believe yourself seems like a waste of time. That is why I stopped going door-door bc I did not believe the teachings so how could I teach that to others? Not judging you but after 56 years of disappointment I am glad you are having fun.
Reply
 
 
 
 James says:

 June 9, 2016 at 9:21 am
 
In an alternative universe…
Sergei pursues his career in music and becomes a world renowned violinist. He plays great violin concertos all over the world and makes his dad proud. He is moved and deeply grateful for the hard work his dad put in to support him financially and emotionally in making his dream come true. He makes a comfortable life for himself and moved with appreciate he ensures his dad is supported financially and emotionally in his old age.
Not bound by social rules of the JWs, he makes friends of people from all walks of life. He is not judged by his friends based on field service and other ‘kingdom pursuits’ but rather by the content of his character as a human being.
He meets the love of his life during one of his performances, marries and has four children. They all pursue higher education and have careers in sciences, arts and business. Sergei approaches retirement but has to undergo an operation. The doctor says he may need a blood transfusion during the op which means the chances of his survival is very high.
Sergie lives well into his late 80s and early 90s. He is surrounded by his family and friends and passes away peaceful ‘old and satisfied with age’.
Reply
 
 
 Free Thinker says:

 June 9, 2016 at 1:24 pm
 
Hi guys
this is a topic that concerns and touches me personally.
I am one of those who “sacrificed” abilities, gifts, interests, talents, … on the altar of JW.Org-will to do their bidding and “enjoy the glorious ‘Privileges'” of “Full Time Ministry”.
While still a child, I self-taught several musical instruments (no teacher, no lessons, no instructions) and got so good on one of them that I soon was able to perform publicly in front of audiences. While getting better, I requested my folks (who had become JW around this time) to get me a teacher or send me to music school, bec. I felt this was my calling – irresistibly. While other kids were playing around, I was seriously practising and honing my skills as a solo instrumentalist. My music teacher in school who was an accomplished pianist urged me in the same direction (getting tutored and promoted). Alas – “This is not necessary, you don’t need a teacher, since you can teach everything you need yourself. Further, we don’t strive for ‘perfection’ or a high level of expertise anyways, all you need is just ‘getting by’ (= playing KD-Songs). Our main focus is ‘The Kingdom Work’, and spending too much time with other ‘unnecessary activities’ is a waste of time, and you are not going to become a musician anyways, since this is incompatible with ‘Theocratic Activities’ “. When my music teacher from school wanted to talk to my folks, they declined – “Not necessary, we know what he is going to say.”
Other than that, I got several nat’l awards for various scientific research projects which I had undertaken, I won at reading contests, was a straight A-student … when my HS-teachers learned that I was not going to University after HS, again – uproar, request to talk to my folks to ask them “How can you let such potential and talent go to waste” etc. To no avail; the “Kingdom came first”, we were not to “invest in a doomed and dying system”.
So, I “humbly” shoved aside what was (and still is) the core essence of my true self at great mental cost, “humbly” learned one of those JW.Org-glorified “practical trades” that didn’t interest me in the least and was way below my abilities to support myself part time, “humbly” embarked on this “wonderful and blessed career”, the “Privilege” of “Pioneering”, suffering through endless hours of horribly dreadful door-to-door-preaching, often in rain and cold and during dreary days, being mocked and humiliated, even physically threatened by “enemies of the Truth” during many frightful hours of “Public Witnessing”, later to attend one of JW.Org’s “Elite Schools” and being ordered (“Privileged”) to come to Bethel, “humbly” toiling at various “Branch Offices” in several countries. What I have seen & experienced there, the sheer baseness and utter meanness of small-minded yet power-hungry individuals – there are no words to describe it. This went on, until I decided to pull the brake, quit Bethel and “Full Time Service”, and then had to face the unpleasant truth that (1) I was “middle-aged”; (2) didn’t have a solid academic education; (3) but a hefty number of years of JW.Org-servitude on my CV. Did the first 2 of those factors already make it extremely difficult to land a halfway decent job – no. 3 was the total killer. Nobody was going to hire a “sect nut”. I barely survived on fumes for a couple of years, doing all kinds of odd jobs until an unexpected “golden” opportunity came along to emigrate to a country where none of those factors really mattered, and now, all is well.
And here is where my life deviates from that of poor and pitiful JW.Org-loyal Sergei: For the first time in my entire life, I have a job I really like and can identify with (and – on a side note – is paying very well). After having drastically reduced (by now: Lowered to zero) my activities for JW.Org by relinquishing all “privileges” and “assignments”, I “shamelessly” and “selfishly” revived my musical ambitions, intensely practicing and getting ready for upcoming concerts; I have published a series of sheet music of arrangements of classical music plus my own compositions, some of which have become best-sellers and one of which won the 1st award of a nat’l contest for new compositions a few years ago. I am also fine-tuning my skills in biblical Hebrew and Greek, in bold defiance of the JW.Org’s central committee’s directives given in the Sept. 2007-km (FADS does not approve of JW to dabble in the biblical languages, for fear they might discover the “true quality” of the NWT).
Yes, I am NOT going to end my life in sad misery and gloomy unhappiness in abject and dull JW.Org-submissiveness, completely wasting my God-given talents and abilities, letting them go to the dogs and down the drain. I know that I cannot get back all those “lost years”, but here is the thing:
The big “What if”-question. Who knows how our lives would have turned out in an “alternate reality” in which we would have solely followed “our heart’s calling” by fully engulfing ourselves in what we would have considered “the realization of our full potential”? What if a musically gifted, yet sensitive young person for example cannot deal with the stress and the rigors of academia, the competition and the pressure to “be the best or be nobody” in the entertainment and concert world? Many unexpected and unforeseen factors can be real show stoppers even for the most talented and gifted geniuses. Living one’s dream could soon turn out to be living in a nightmare. All those derailed and now homeless university professors, research scientists and also artists are proof thereof.
Hence, I do not consider all those JW.Org-centered years, all the anger, frustration, privations, sacrifices … as a waste, or lost time. Those years have made me what I am today; they have taught me many things, among which is “not quitting”; dealing with, and enduring highly unpleasant situations; going through life with open eyes and heart, treating other human beings with true care and respect, for we would not want others to suffer from our hand what we had to undergo under the iron rule of the heartless JW.Org and its devoted minions. I am a “stable” person, at peace with the world and myself. I cannot say nor predict what would have become of me had I embarked on the path of the Fine Arts; the universe is an ocean of endless possibilities.
I still have a number of years ahead of me, and I am going to make the best out of them by USING – not suppressing and shoving aside – my God-given abilities, for the benefit and greater good of all. It’s not too late yet, nothing is lost” or was “in vein”, and it is my conviction that I still can live out to the full what 1 Peter 4,10 is referring to: “Each of you should use WHATEVER GIFT you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” – “Gift” = “Charisma” in Greek; any “talent” God gave us and which we are to use for the benefit of fellow humans. That’s my goal now, and I believe I can do more good during one hour of doing this, as compared to decades of dull and fruitless “door-to-door-preaching” with 80% of the householders not opening, and the other 20% telling us to go to hell.
Greetings,
Free Thinker
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 rob says:

 June 9, 2016 at 1:57 pm
 
your story is amazing – thanks for sharing.
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 fallingangel75 says:

 June 9, 2016 at 3:31 pm
 
@ Free Thinker: I love this post. You do indeed seem stable, balanced, and well-adjusted. I really appreciate your thoughts.
I have thought much the same, in that we can’t really know what the road not traveled would have held for us.
And not every individual who denied their talents would have been a world-class artist/musician/athlete/scientist. (Your passion here)
People have their dreams derailed for other lesser and greater reasons. To act like every person lost out on an opportunity to be great ignores the statistics.
Thousands of people who are not witnesses never make it to the top of their field, even when they have all of the necessary encouragement and support one could hope for.
So to think only in extremes that say you and all those you know would have been great is also unrealistic and leads to a lot of unnecessary bitterness and regret.
I do agree with those who are upset because they feel like they were denied the chance to see what they might have become. Especially when it was not their choice.
I was like you and I had parents who chose for me. But I don’t feel like wasting energy and emotion being angry with them for it.
I know others in the organization and out who had it much worse than I did.
But Bravo! to you for how spectacularly you have managed to salvage your dreams and make something more of yourself. I laud your accomplishments.
I want to be like you when I grow up. 😉
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 Markie says:

 June 10, 2016 at 5:59 am
 
Your post makes me wonder how such a intelligent and talented person like you was so easy influenced by people of lesser intelligence. I would say I am much less intelligent then you and less talented but was much less influenced by people. Got my first degree at 22 and my last at almost 40. I grew up a jw but always realized that it was just a suggestion not to go to college. They never said not to go. They obviously really discouraged it but it was never a disfellowshipping offence. I know I was considered not to be a spiritual person by most but I didn’t care about that. My point to all is do what you think is best for yourself. If you want an education get it. Yeah I got a lot of push back from elders etc… when I was in college but now I am laughing all they way to the bank. I am a sucker though, I have given a lot of money to my brothers who used to and still do say higher education is bad.
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 Free Thinker says:

 June 11, 2016 at 12:28 pm
 
Hi Markie,
I believe that getting caught up in spiritual deception is not a matter of “intelligence” or wittiness. The most intelligent and well-educated folks are in a cult, for example Mormons. As far as “secular/higher edu” is concerned, they are waaaay superior to JW – actually, they don’t compare, for as JW are outright and unapologetically opposed to higher edu, Mormons actively pursue, cultivate and even flaunt it. They run one of the best universities in the U.S.A. (BYU), their guys hold central positions in academia, admin, business, research etc., they are artists, actors, they develped one of the best computer network software of all times (NOVELL, from Provo in Utah – forget Windows, that’s a joke in comparison) and yet, they believe that a guy got magical glasses from an angel that enabled him to decipher ancient Egyptian texts, that the native Americans are descendants of the lost 10 tribes of Israel, that Heavenly Father dwells on a Planet called “Colob” and suchlike nonsense.
Just look at our dear friend Lloyd Evans aka Cedars: He doesn’t strike me as particularly dim-witted (;-) that’s an intended understatement), and still he once used to march perfectly to the JW.Org’s drumbeat. So, what does that teach us? That even the smartest guys can be taken for a ride, if emotions get involved and the idealistic idea to be part of sth that is greater than oneself. There were highly educated and intelligent Nazis whose emotions got so whipped up that they got the better of them and fooled their “intelligence” so that they “reasoned” in a highly “intelligent” fashion in favor of the Nazi cause. Don’t ask me how this was and could be possible – it happened, and that’s why we need to distinguish between intelligence and the possibility of being spiritually deceived – both are not mutually exclusive. Maybe bec. “matters of faith”, “believes”, theology … are not exact sciences?
Reply
 
 Free Thinker says:

 June 11, 2016 at 12:31 pm
 
Clarification: I did not mean to say “the majority of intelligent and well-educated folks are in a cult …”, but “MANY intelligent and well-educated folks are in a cult …”. Just so there is no misunderstanding about that.
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 keen jw says:

 June 9, 2016 at 1:25 pm
 
Dear John Cedars and Team.
When I Google ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses’ a number of informative EX-JW websites appear. What are the chances of jwsurvey becoming one of them?
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 Keen jw says:

 June 9, 2016 at 2:27 pm
 
I hope I made myself clear. Jwsurvey seems to amass a good number of comments in such a relatively short period of time following a new article release. I think your readership would increase substantially once it starts appearing on the first page of Google with a search of ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses’ and comments as well would rise accordingly. It would simply be awesome indeed to see jwsurvey just above or below the jw website on the front page!
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 Grace says:

 June 9, 2016 at 3:59 pm
 
Keen jw,
That’s what I have wondered for the whole time I have been on this site. It doesn’t come up in the first page of Google.
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 Rose Graziano says:

 June 9, 2016 at 1:41 pm
 
This video is disturbing on so many levels. I honestly can’t believe that I have to sit through this at the convention next month. I am trapped inside this organization because I raised my children to believe this garbage. I wish I can turn back the clock and tell them they can be and do anything they want in life. But now they are slaves of the organization and any negative comments from me or their father are met with very suspicious eyes. Now they are going to see a video that shows someone leaving “Jehovah” because he read some information about the organization that causes him to have doubts. This just proves that we can’t say anything significant to them about TTATT or we will probably never see our grandchildren again. This along with the Bunker videos just show how desperate the organization is getting to keep from people from leaving! What a disgrace!
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 Imgonaburn says:

 June 9, 2016 at 3:50 pm
 
Has anybody with loved ones still active jws dared to mention what’s in store for them at District Convention? Idk if I dare to bring it up tbh. After all, I could by doing so, supply them with further ammunition to use against me when the time comes for them to make their own decision on how they will react to such vile manipulation. It’s a tough one eh?
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 Imgonaburn says:

 June 9, 2016 at 4:07 pm
 
I’m even sort of tempted to tag along and actually attend the convention with them . So I can sit and frown/ give them ‘the look’ whenever something ridiculous is mentioned from the platform.
 I remember when my non jw mum used to attend the occasional meeting how I would squirm if anything derogatory was said during the meeting about ‘worldly’ people. I found it really uncomfortable and embarrassing. Maybe it’s my turn to make them all squirm?? It would be tricky for them to consider shunning me if I was actually present when it was suggested to them. I will give this some thought. Any suggestions or viewpoints on this are most welcome. I am not disfellowshipped nor have I been reproved because I left under a big cloud of dilemma. ( see previous posts above)
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 fallingangel75 says:

 June 10, 2016 at 5:20 am
 
Hey Imgonaburn. Me too. I plan to attend. I wasn’t going to, but I have said also that I have gotten a pass. I have not been disciplined at all.
We’re in our 30s – a young couple, and tbh, I’m the more historically exemplary of the 2 of us.
For those to whom spiritual ‘pedigree’ matters (I’ve always considered it both presumptuous AND ridiculous, so I never put stock in it), I married beneath me.
My husband was not raised in the truth. He never pioneered. Never served where the need was greater. He wasn’t a ministerial servant when we got married. He has never even been to Bethel as a tourist!
So, there were sideways glances when we got married anyway. People actually implied that maybe we were just trying to make things right as a result of an unwanted pregnancy.
The elders actually called me into the ‘back room’ early in our marriage one Sunday when my husband was out of town. They had asked us as a couple a few times of we’d been improper, and they decided to ask me again as an individual.
That’s a whole other story.
The judgment! We weren’t pregnant. We waited like good JWs. I still know people were counting the months to see if I had a baby. I could see it on their faces at the hall.
Once we celebrated our first anniversary, though. I was in the clear.
Yay. :-/
Personally, I picked a husband outside of all of the spiritual qualifications because I recognized years ago that at the end of the day when it’s just us at home, away from the congregation, I’m just a woman and he’s just a man.
What mattered to me was how we related to each other as man and woman, first. How he treated me with respect and admiration. How he honored me and made it easy for me to honor him.
I didn’t care about titles or service or family history.
And I was sure he loved Jehovah, as much as anyone should.
Anyway, I digress.
Given the fact that some feel that I married ‘beneath me’ as it were, and now he claims to be of the anointed class, and our family is all elders and pioneers, etc. I am getting a pass for now. And I will be welcomed with open arms, I am sure.
He’s actually getting more counsel and scrutiny than I am.
It’s making him chafe a little. Honestly, I hope it chaps him raw if that will help him snap out of it!
But, previously, prior to all of this, we have attended meetings and assemblies and quietly giggled at the ridiculous skits and dramas. Every time.
This will be the first one we attend together since his change.
I have to see if he is the same guy who jokes with me or if he feels the need to be more loyal and dignified now.
I have said before. I really don’t know what to expect, but I have to see for myself.
Reply
 
 Markie says:

 June 10, 2016 at 6:10 am
 
Your post reminds me of my wife and I. She was a pioneer and I just finished college. Her family wanted her to marry the handsome pioneer/bethelite. It’s funny the wonderful bethelite boy is long gone and beat at least two of his wives. Go figure.
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 Imgonaburn says:

 June 10, 2016 at 7:36 am
 
Fallingangel75.
 Hi, I think we do have a kindred spirit lol. You sound like a lovely caring person. I was wondering if you still attend meetings at all? I haven’t been to a meeting for 5 years now. So, one of the reasons that I need to consider when deciding if I should attend this convention is ‘will I be chancing sticking my head above the parapet?’ Like you, I have been given a pass and my conduct has been overlooked by cong elders. My husband has always been a bit wishy washy re jw rules n regs. I married him whilst he was only studying and not baptised. I had been a jw for 5 years before I met him. I wasn’t raised a jw I chose it as an impressionable 18 year old. I was baptised age 20 after leaving all my worldly traits behind – well most of them! 😉 I retained a somewhat wicked sense of humour. The others in my cong were always a bit wary n a little intimidated. I prob came across as ‘streetwise’ and worldly. The only brothers that dared ask me out were too worldly to get my attention and the spiritual ones were only brave enough to approach me because they thought they could control me so I was never going to marry a JW. I met my husband at work. I guess I could’ve been Sophia! I married him within 6 months of meeting him. He struck me as kind, gentle and the total opposite of my violent overpowering former bf’s (pre-jw). I was a reg pio when I met him! Anyway, I was df’d and pregnant on my wedding day. Unlike Sophia I didn’t have any family to shun me and chose to go bk to Jehovah after my honeymoon. My husband was soon baptised and our first baby was born, followed by 3 more children. We were caught up in the whole serve Jehovah whole souled and enjoy a spiritual paradise whilst doing so. But it was so hard!! We had only one or 2 friends who would include us. Our children were a handful. My 2 youngest boys had behavioural problems and were diagnosed with Autustic Spectrum Disorders. My eldest and youngest became T1 diabetic. My daughter is ok though. We didn’t have much time or energy for ministry so that impacted upon our reputation as weak. We were far from weak though!! Many many times the bros n sis would hurt us by passing cruel comments on our spirituality or failings as parents but we swallowed it and said nothing. I could tell you experiences that would make your blood boil! However, some of the elders knew we had a full plate. They blamed my husband for not being a good spiritual head. He was often counselled about it and was taken off being a MS. My eldest son and daughter are both married to jw and are highly regarded. My son is a reg pio and he and his wife travel all over the country with societies building and maintenance projects. My daughter is reg pio her husband is a MS. They are valuable in the eyes of cong elders. They all know that I smoke and swear and have become a different person now. If I went to the convention I’m sure some would be pleased to see me but most would avoid me. If I go I don’t want to mislead my family into thinking I’m going to return to Jehovah. If I’m there when all this nonsense is spat at them it will be impossible for them then to do what jws do best- deny to themselves that the instruction given doesn’t apply to them. That won’t be as able to easily ignore the counsel if they know that I know what’s been said. I think through writing this out that I will resist the urge to attend. Eugh the thought of sitting upright surrounded by people that don’t really understand the true meaning of ‘love’ makes me sick. No, even though I’ve been granted a pass, I can’t attend. I will question them all about it after the event and see how they respond. I’ve suffered through enough of their boring drivel to last a lifetime. I don’t need to hear any more…
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 Dazi says:

 June 9, 2016 at 8:20 pm
 
News from Russia;http://rapsinews.com/judicial_news/20160609/276279094.html
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 Dazi says:

 June 10, 2016 at 6:49 am
 
News from Russia;http://rapsinews.com/judicial_news/20160609/276279094.html
I hope this happens in multiple counties – maybe this is the beginning… and it will have a “Domino Effect”? 🙂
Reply
 
 
 Winston Smith says:

 June 11, 2016 at 10:19 am
 
Unfortunately, the writer of the article seems to try to paint JW’s in a positive light. He states that: “Jehovah’s Witnesses is an international religious organization based in Brooklyn, New York” and “The books talk about how to have a happy life, what you can hope for, how to develop good relations with God and what you should know about God and its meaning.”
As if the fact that they are based in the U.S. gives them credibility or makes them a mainstream religion. I live in the U.S. and there are plenty of cult-like religions besides just the JW’s. The writer’s comments about the contents of JW books, shows that he/she has done little reading of them. The description seems to have been pulled directly from Watchtower press releases.
WS
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 Peter Jeuck says:

 June 10, 2016 at 2:52 am
 
In the early days of Watchtower they maintained that the scriptures were written Only for those called to the heavenly calling. Full devotion to Jehovah God through consecration I.e. A complete giving one’s life to God, was for the purpose of running for the high calling. Watchower continued more or less with this same understanding when they came to believe the Great Crowd or Jonadab class would be those who inherited only an Earthly hope. They made a distinction then between those with and Earthly hope and those with the heavenly hope and the degree of devotional expectations of the two classes. Now Watchtower is imposing those same rigorous standards once only expected for those with a heavenly hope to those who have only an Earthly hope! So now it’s just as hard for a JW to gain a lesser reward for their faith as it was for those with the heavenly! Did God change the rules or was it Jehovah? My guess it had more to do with Watchtower leadership who are men, not God!
Reply
 
 
 Robert67 says:

 June 10, 2016 at 5:16 am
 
As I’m reading the comments here I’m wondering if those posting them bothered reading the article. My experience has been that all within the org who aquire high positions had to have shown that they place the borg before scripture or natural love for others. When I look at Sergei I see a protector of child molesters and all around persecuter of those who came in looking for a relationship with God but instead wound up worshiping a printing company that pushes their editors as replacements for Christ as mediators between them and God. May their end come soon.
Reply
 
 
 ligniappe says:

 June 10, 2016 at 6:05 am
 
Fallingangel75, as likeable as you paint your husband to be, and keeping in mind that I don’t know him, and as such I must take your word for that, and I do, where does he get the idea that “his heavenly hope” is fait accompli?
If, and it is an enormous if, for someone who has such a good knowledge of the scriptures, he must know that he has received an invitation only, in fact the apostle Paul calls it a “token” (NWT). A token being, if you like, a ticket to some kind of event or show.
If you have a token to a show or event, you may decide not to go, no one forces you to go. Jehovah is the same, no force, he has given you free will, and it is your choice, he doesn’t drag people kicking and screaming into becoming spirit beings to exist in the heavens if you don’t want to. What’s more if you decide not to accept the token (by not taking the emblems) nothing will happen to you and if you have an earthly hope to live with a gracious lovely lady that loves, you can.
I have been a witness for a long time (faded now) and I have known people who have had “the calling” and left their spouses to do “higher things”.
Again, you know your husband better than I, and you say he is not about to do that, which is good. But what he seems to be saying in a rather roundabout way is, that the relationship is coming to an end and it is not his fault because he has been “called” by Jehovah, not his fault and there is nothing he can do about that, it is Jehovah’s “fault”.
There has been a huge upsurge in emblem takers in the last few years, and, after a long lull of virtually no new partakers, all of which seems rather odd. Keeping in mind that all these new ones can offer no proof that the “calling” is genuine, including the members of the GB. We can not test their claims of authenticity, and I am greatly inclined to have serious doubts that they have the “calling”.
At best, they may have religious fever/ fervour, even in a quiet manner. Still, even if the “calling” was true it is just an invitation that the invitee is free to decline at anytime.
Interestingly, my wife and I were talking with some Witness friends who would like to fade, but have family to think of, so not just yet. The question always comes up are we ok in fading? Our friend asked “how can we do good to Christ’s brothers” if we fade?
My wife replied as quick as you like, “the time to do that is over”, because many people think that an “evil slave” is in existence and why would we help a “slave” of that kind?
Perhaps your husband may consider that proposition and review his “invitation”, and join the rest of us now to wait and see what happens next regarding any fulfillment of bible prophecy
Reply
 
 fallingangel75 says:

 June 10, 2016 at 8:56 am
 
@ligniappe, I read my own comments and I feel like I am looking at snapshots through a keyhole.
Sometimes I am vague because I am well known enough in a large geographic area that it would be very easy to ‘out’ myself if I give details, but also because my situation has many complexities that are difficult to convey.
First: my husband has never said he wants to leave me. Not once since this all began.
I have wanted to leave him. Repeatedly since this all began.
And not ever because he’s treated me poorly.
This whole drama with Sergei resonates with me on many levels. Even before it came out, I was wrestling with those themes.
My own choices. My husband’s choices for himself and us. My parent’s choices for me.
I want children. And soon I will be too old to have them. I was raised a witness, and long ago determined that I did not want children in this system.
More because of how difficult it was to be a faithful JW child and teenager in this world, than because I believed the world was so awful.
If that makes sense to anyone else.
When I truly believed the new system was just around the corner, it was easy to defer parenthood in hopes of really giving my children the best life ever.
Not the so-called best life JWs claim to live now.
I always believed my life was better than some, but mostly because of education and creature comforts my family could afford that others could not. Not because we were witnesses.
In fact, many of the things that kept it from being better than it was could be traced to adherence to witness doctrines and principles.
Witness doctrines and principles. Not bible guidelines. I make a distinction. Where we really followed Bible counsel and Christ on how to care for self and others, things were always good.
Some of the JW applications were where we went off into the weeds.
I have known since I was a teenager that I did not want to perpetuate the lifestyle my parents made for me.
Now, when I made it into the new system with my forever partner, and everyone was on the same page about serving Jehovah and we were all returning to perfection and there were no predators or bad influences – that would be something different.
But, even before this issue with my husband going to heaven, I was becoming aware of my own biological clock. I was aware that my child-bearing years are almost gone and the promised new system is nowhere in sight.
So I was questioning whether I wanted children enough to start a family and indoctrinate them as well. That’s what really started me asking the hard questions, not the change in my husband’s hope.
I realized that I don’t believe the world is too awful to raise children in love and with morality and self-worth and concern for fellowman.
But I did believe that raising them with expectations of our JW culture would be a burden to them and to me.
So: what to do?
I was still struggling with this and just beginning to broach the subject with my husband when he revealed to me that his hope had changed.
And his hope change is not to avoid dealing with the issue of children. He has always wanted children. I was the hold out. From the beginning.
Like I said, he grew up ‘in the world’. He always anticipated the regular cycle of birth and death and dealing with bad people, whilst trying to be a good person absent of the influence of God or church.
I was the one with the hang-ups.
But he had an awful childhood and he has bought into the myth that if we raised our children as witnesses it would be so much better than his upbringing.
And it would be, but only because WE are better people than his parents who neglected and abused him – not because we’re witnesses.
So, the biggest reason I am at a crossroads has less to do with the change in his hope and more to do with the fact that I want children, and neither of us wants to raise them in a religiously divided household.
I’m asking myself every day if I love him enough that I will not be resentful at the missed opportunity to have children of our own.
Even if he comes to his senses in 10 years, it will be too late for us.
I don’t know what will be worse for me: if he wakes up in 10 or 20 years and apologizes to me for not coming around sooner, or if he goes to his grave still believing it’s the truth after a lifetime of making life choices for us based on a lie.
And THAT question is what makes me want to leave him. Terrible choices.
As much as I love him and he loves me, this has become a rift that makes it difficult to enjoy each other the way we always did before.
I have said to him that if he’s planning to leave me to be with God and Christ, maybe I should just leave him now.
If according to his belief I will start over and have my family with another man once he goes to heaven, why wait?
That’s all me.
And he hates to hear me say it and it hurts him.
And I don’t say it to hurt him. It’s how I feel.
As for your faith accompli statements, he understands it is not sealed. He gets that it is supposedly an invitation, but he does feel that he has no option but to accept.
We’ve been round and round about that!
Endless debates about how free will does or doesn’t apply in this context. Ultimately he tells me I don’t understand because I have not been called.
He claims he could make himself unworthy of it, but he cannot simply refuse.
Like if he declined, the earthly hope is also off the table? Because it is insulting to God to decline? None of it makes sense to me, and he doesn’t have specifics, so I’m at a loss to explain it clearly.
But he also says he doesn’t want to refuse. He said he genuinely no longer desires to live on earth in the future. He said that with the invitation came a change in the things he wants.
He says he does want to live out the rest of our lives together. He doesn’t want to die young or be ‘taken’ early, but beyond the normal life span, or the end, whichever comes first, he looks forward to heaven.
Kings and priests forever.
Yay. :-/
But, again, all implications that this means the end of our relationship come from me, because I can’t deal with it. Because I resent the consequences to our present life together and presumably our future.
He continues to encourage me to stay with him in the hopes that I will come to feel differently about all of it.
Even the issue of children in light of the changes has been nothing of a deal breaker for him. But he does not want children while I am unsettled about whether I will stay with him and while I am saying I will never ‘return to Jehovah’.
I know him. And I know the scriptures as JWs teach them. They say we cannot question whether someone’s calling is authentic, but I feel like I can.
Just when I compare who I know him to be with who JWs teach are chosen, he’s not it. I could elaborate, but I wont.
But, I agree. It is odd indeed.
I’m quite intrigued by your thoughts about the evil slave. I wish there was a way to speak with you more about that whole discussion thread.
Reply
 
 fallingangel75 says:

 June 10, 2016 at 9:28 am
 
*fait accompli. I hate autocorrect some days!
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 Winston Smith says:

 June 11, 2016 at 7:07 pm
 
@FA75
 If you read the context of Revelation 7:9 and look at the meaning of the Greek words used it becomes pretty evident that the Great Crowd likewise have a heavenly hope, so this whole thing about being divided from your hubby in the afterlife may not be as much of an issue, if you put faith in such things.
As far as children are concerned, I guess you have to ask yourself do you love and respect your husband to the extent that you feel he should be allowed to follow his own path when it comes to religion and does he offer you the same love and respect? If yes, then having children in a “divided” household might be manageable. If no, then you need to consider what is more important to you having children or preserving your marriage? As you say time is short to make the decision, if it comes to that. If you choose to leave what are the chances that you will find another person that you could see being the father of your children in the time frame you have to work with?
Also consider that if you don’t end up conceiving your own child, there may be other options down the road like adoption.
Just some thoughts.
WS
Reply
 
 
 
 fallingangel75 says:

 June 10, 2016 at 11:15 am
 
@ligniappe, I was just reading your post again and this time I focused more on your comments about your Witness friends who would like to fade.
On the one hand, I wish I knew people like you and your wife that I could really talk to face-to-face about my questions and doubts and feelings about leaving and what to do next.
But then again, I think about all the comparisons posters make to big brother/1984. And the comments about how some have set up fake Facebook accounts to police others in the organization.
I think some would make efforts to be Thought Police and infiltrate small groups of dissenters.
I am not enough of a conspiracy theorist to feel that anyone is doing that at the direction of the GB, but I would certainly expect that some might take it upon themselves to do so.
And now with this new bunker mentality and the crackdown on shunning, I feel like it is going to be more difficult for people like us to speak to each other in real life and not just anonymously online.
In any case, I am compelled to ask you: do you believe that some of what the Witnesses teach is true, but not all? Do you feel like there were good intentions at first, but then there was a corruption?
I read and reread your post because I really couldn’t tell.
Like myself right now. I don’t believe my husband has been chosen by Jehovah to rule in heaven. But does that mean no one was?
Ever? Throughout history?
As regards my personal belief on the matter, it depends on what day you ask me.
Some days I believe it’s all a lie and that’s what I need to believe. Some days I hope that some of it is true, but only the best parts, like living forever in perfect health and seeing my dead loved ones again. But not the worst parts like destruction of everyone who isn’t a Witness.
So, as much as I want to take my leave from the organization and dismiss many of the beliefs as patently false and I AM DONE following the rules, it is hard for me to think this life is all there is.
And I think of all of the people throughout history who served God with a belief they were going to heaven and people of other religions who believe there is some manifestation of life after death.
Everyone is all wrong? So after a lifetime of conviction of knowing what happens at death, I find myself completely uncertain about what awaits me and my loved ones.
I do hope that if there is a God who cares he will not deny me the reward that other good people get just for having unanswered questions.
I hope that he is not the person they keep saying he is that would equate my doubts about these men and how they are choosing to represent and misrepresent him with disloyalty to Him.
Reply
 
 Winston Smith says:

 June 11, 2016 at 9:32 pm
 
FA75,
 Since leaving this sect, I have embraced the philosphy of deism. As a deist, I am not concerned about what comes hereafter, but rather what I can do in the here and now to leave this world a better place once I have left it.
In the words of Thomas Paine: “I believe in one God, and no more; and I hope for happiness beyond this life. I believe in the equality of man; and I believe that religious duties consist in doing justice, loving mercy, and endeavoring to make our fellow-creatures happy.”
WS
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Doc Obvious says:

 June 10, 2016 at 6:55 am
 
This is such a morbid view of life. Life that should be more positive, than negative. The regional convention sounds very depressing. Jesus Christ was a positive influence on people’s life’s. He genuinely helped people who were looking for a more positive direction than that of the Pharisees. Watchtower sounds more like the Pharisees than Jesus. What a contrast between true Christianity and false Christianity.
Reply
 
 fallingangel75 says:

 June 10, 2016 at 9:04 am
 
@Doc Obvious, I feel exactly the same way.
Reply
 
 
 
 James Broughton says:

 June 10, 2016 at 8:48 am
 
Another excellent article, CF. I appreciate that many ex JWs talk about their wasted time but the fact they are taking the trouble to contribute to these pages means that they are helping others in a much more effective way than outsiders can do. As long as you can move on with your life that time will not have been wasted.
Reply
 
 
 alex williams says:

 June 10, 2016 at 10:20 am
 
There are so many good comments from so many people. Has anyone noticed the progression of obedience during the course of the video? Remember….”faithful in small things, faithful in larger things” has always been taught from the platform. First, Sergei gave up something as simple as playing the violin, slightly larger was playing the national anthem, a little bigger was signing the document to renounce his faith and be free, a little bigger was turning down a work assignment that would affect his family study, and lastly, the blood issue. This path leads to his final choice of life or death. The progression of choices is disturbing and could culminate in the loss of his life. Likely, this progression is designed by the GB so he is conditioned to make the ultimate choice and choose to obey the WTBT$. Control and manipulation at its finest!
Reply
 
 Peter Jeuck says:

 June 14, 2016 at 5:21 am
 
Hi
Your observation warrants merit, however in Sergei’s situation of not playing the anthem did land him five years in prison which was no small consequence. Generally the situations over which children have to make generally do not have huge consequences. Generally decisions that carry increasingly larger consequences do increase naturally in proportion to our growing older having taken on more responsibilities. That said in the case of Jehovah’s Witnesses the consequences always circle back to life and death no matter how large or small the matters over which decisions or choices seem to be. Make the wrong choice over a matter and you’ll forfeit your life in Armmeggedon. No wonder life for Witnesses is morose. There are no small choices! It’s all or nothing. Living everyday through life with that view and that kind of pressure can cause serious depression or paranoia.
The Bible Students, the sect I grew up in, believed that the only call was the heavenly call to the 144,000. The expectations for someone who was baptized was baptized to a heavenly hope. The expectations to be faithful were no less daunting than what Sergei faced. If one is not faithful to their consecration to God, the consequence was “the second death.” Living life every day believing that making a misstep could lead to forfeiting your chance for any kind of ressurection was a Damacles sword. When I was baptized, the elder who performed the immersion said to me, “you better watch your Ps and Qs from now on or its the second death for you!” What a comforting statement! Trouble is I believed this to be true for many years before I woke up to the foolishness of it all. Bible Students held fast to the doctrines of CT Russell which were not too much different in many ways from what Watchtower teaches today. At least in how the baptized are expected to devote their lives as slaves to the Watchtower’s teachings.
Reply
 
 
 

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← The Worst Convention Ever – Part 2: The Bunker
The Friday Column: Jehovah’s Witnesses and Doubts →
 
The Worst Convention Ever – Part 3: Sergei’s Story
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Posted on June 7, 2016
 
worst3article

“The way of the truth is the best way of living.”
So begins Kingdom Song 64, “Make the Truth Your Own.” This mantra is one with which Jehovah’s Witnesses are very familiar. In fact, it’s quite common to hear the mantra expanded on in the following way:

Even if this wasn’t the Truth, it would still be the best possible way to live.
If you’ve been associated with the Witnesses, you’ve probably heard a statement like this, often in response to doubts or challenges about how valid Witness teachings are. The narrative being presented is that even if Watchtower is wrong, living according to the Governing Body’s commands would still result in the most satisfying life possible.
It’s a win-win scenario!
But is this statement true?
Well, let’s take a look at how Watchtower presents Witness life in a series of videos being played at the 2016 Remain Loyal to Jehovah Regional Convention. The videos follow a character, Sergei, from childhood to most-likely, his death.
As we see his story unfold, I’d like you to keep in mind that oft-made claim:

Even if this were not the Truth, this would still be the best way to live.
Let’s see if the story of Sergei’s life supports that claim.
Sergei – When Young
Screenshot 2016-06-07 14.20.58Sergei’s story begins when he is a boy, and we fade in on him playing the violin with considerable skill. The narrative unfolds to show an exceptionally talented Sergei being offered special tuition by a music conservatory which would help him make a career out of the art he loves so much.
Great! Not many people get the chance to explore their gifts in this way, and it seems the young Sergei could be starting on a thrilling road of self-discovery and creative fulfilment. Who knows, maybe his artistic legacy will live on for centuries?
Except that Sergei’s father has other ideas. He dismisses Sergei’s musical aspirations by telling his son that the pressure will be something he cannot handle. He dismisses the idea of a young Witness making music “their life, their career.” Sergei is warned that he will have to compete with other musicians, that he will be surrounded by people who do not love Jehovah (sn: just like every day at school or work) and that he must show Jehovah he loves him first.
Apparently, Jehovah hates professional musicians.
If you didn’t know beforehand that the father’s position was the one that Watchtower was promoting, you could play this scene word-for-word, beat-for-beat, and the audience would see Sergei’s father as a closed-minded parent, brutally crushing his son’s dreams and aspirations. Indeed, it’s heartbreaking when the young Sergei pleads with his father, “But I really love it, and I’m not good at anything else! This is what I’m good at!”
I can relate to his plea.
The things I was really good at as a child, the skills and talents around which I would ordinarily have built a satisfying career in the creative industry, were not things I was allowed to make a career due to my Witness beliefs. Instead, I had to choose another road, one far less satisfying and interesting to me, and at which I simply was not as good. Granted, now that I have left the cult, I am trying to resurrect the career I should have started all those years ago, but the lost time and experience is something I will never recover.
So in summary, what do we see from the first video? Sergei’s dreams of being a professional musician are crushed, not because he lacks talent or the drive to succeed, but because his parents are Jehovah’s Witnesses that enforce Watchtower’s strict lifestyle choices upon him. Sergei the violinist will never exist, his potential works lost to future generations, and his dream future denied to him.
Now remember, we are exploring the following statement:

Even if this were not the Truth, this would still be the best way to live.
Do you think this video supports that claim?
Sergei – When Persecuted
Screenshot 2016-06-07 14.51.34We next see Sergei as a young man, conducting a Bible Study. As the scene progresses, it becomes clear that he is living in a country where Jehovah’s Witnesses are under ban. The Witnesses are risking arrest by practicing their faith and carrying out Watchtower’s commands. During the video, Sergei returns home to discover that the police are waiting inside and have brutalized his father.
(Possibly by subjecting him to their awful acting.)
The police demand to know where Sergei has hidden the Watchtower literature. Sergei refuses to answer the questions, and later, refuses to play the national anthem on his violin. This is not a random choice on Sergei’s part; Watchtower instructs Witnesses, like Sergei, that to do so would compromise Watchtower’s particular interpretation of political neutrality. (Never mind that Watchtower has compromised this doctrine on numerous occasions for its own benefit, often carefully ensuring that normal Witnesses never find out.)
As a result, the police incarcerate Sergei.
This is sadly an all-too-plausible scenario. In many counties across the world over the past century, Jehovah’s Witnesses have been subjected to horrific persecution for obeying Watchtower’s commands on political neutrality. From the savagery meted out in Malawi to the dreadful inhumanity of the concentration camps of the Third Reich, Witnesses have been incarcerated, tortured and murdered by repressive regimes. No one who respects the concept of universal human rights can do anything other than unreservedly condemn such barbaric repression.
Those who wish to sincerely practice their faith in a manner that does not infringe on the human rights of others, should always be free to do so, but obviously no one would wish to endure the kind of savagery Sergei encounters for serving a religion that was not true.
Now remember, we are exploring the following statement:

Even if this were not the truth, this would still be the best way to live.
Do you think this video supports that claim?
Sergei – When Tempted
Screenshot 2016-06-07 17.06.06Our next video finds Sergei still in prison, reciting scripture to keep his spirits up. The prison officials give him the tragic news that his father, also an inmate, is dying.
Weeping, Sergei requests permission to see his father, and the prison officer offers Sergei “an even better solution.” He offers to let Sergei and his father, both, leave the prison! All Sergei has to do is sign a document renouncing his faith.
Watchtower is unequivocal on this point. There is no room for an individual Witness to decide that the paper and “renunciation” are meaningless, okay to sign, and then continue worshiping as normal, once they are free. “Theocratic Warfare” may allow Watchtower leaders to lie in court when being questioned about not reporting child abuse, but it does not allow Witnesses to sign documents they give no credence to in order to alleviate terrible suffering and regain their freedom.
Witnesses are expected to refuse all such offers, no questions asked.
So, Sergei does what Watchtower expects and refuses to sign. Then, he is then dragged back to his cell where he is to serve out the rest of his five-year prison term, never to see his father again.
Now remember, we are exploring the following statement:

Even if this were not the Truth, this would still be the best way to live.
Do you think this video supports that claim?
Sergei – When Praised
Screenshot 2016-06-07 17.48.47We next meet Sergei some considerable time later, as a middle-aged man, serving as a substitute Circuit Overseer for Watchtower.
For those unfamiliar, a Circuit Overseer (C.O.) is someone who works full-time for Watchtower, travelling to visit a select, geographic group of congregations. They will hold meetings with the Elders, Ministerial Servants and Pioneers, give special talks from the platform, organize the Field Service for the week, and generally make sure that the congregation is running according to Watchtower’s policy. It’s an exhausting job, often requiring long days of activity for little remuneration, though the meals and board for a C.O are usually provided for by the host congregation. A substitute C.O is often someone training to be a permanent C.O, and they will step in when the regular C.O is ill or indisposed.
He is reunited with his old friends Alexia and Natalia, with whom, in the second video, he was shown studying. He and his wife accept and share a meal together with some friends. During the meal, Sergei is complemented on the quality of his talks, as well as his unwavering faith; those present infer that they wish he was the permanent C.O, citing a number of perceived flaws with the present one.
My personal experience, having met many C.O’s in my time, is that they vary significantly in quality and temperament. I’ve met kind, sincere men who genuinely cared about their flock, and I’ve met unkind, hard, cruel men who made the lives of those in their Circuit a misery. It’s common for a hard-pressed congregation to desperately wish for a change, especially if they’ve met one of the nicer C.O’s on the list.
How does Sergei respond to the conversation? Granted, it must be awkward for him to hear others complain about his colleague but how does he deal with these complaints, along with complements given to him?
He rejects them all. He refuses to take credit for any of his abilities. He has no sense of ownership for his achievements. With downcast eyes, he credits everything to Jehovah’s spirit. He also makes this point: “Jehovah chooses those who serve in the congregations” and this is a way to imply that such men are above criticism from the rank and file.
(Does Jehovah choose the Elders who’ve covered up child abuse, or Servants who are actually child abusers? Watchtower can’t have it both ways. Either the “appointed men” are chosen by God or they are not.)
Now, remember how excited and full of confidence little Sergei was in the first video? As a young child, Sergei had found his passion, his calling, and was full of confidence that he could achieve wonderful things with his music. He was good at it, and he KNEW he was good at it. He had full confidence in his abilities. The future lay before him, vast and glittering, before his father tore his confidence and dreams away. What do we find when we look at Sergei now?
A man working long hours as a religious administrator in return for very little compensation, his dreams of music forgotten, his father lost to religious persecution, along with apparently five years of his own life. A man so lacking in self-worth that he cannot even bring himself to take credit for the experience and skills that others see in him and admire.
Now remember, we are exploring the following statement:

Even if this were not the Truth, this would still be the best way to live.
Do you think this video supports that claim?
Sergei – When Tired
Screenshot 2016-06-07 18.08.16The next video finds Sergei at his place of employment, a factory or workshop of some kind, welding torch in hand, a far cry from the concert halls or recording studios in which he could have spent his life. He looks tired and drawn as he pulls off his welding mask, and is summoned to his managers office.
We find out that Sergei has been working to cover the shifts of others and is exhausted. Nonetheless, his manager barks orders for him to start attending a facility one hour away to cover another absent employee. Sergei protests. He has a family and religious responsibilities to attend to.
It transpires that the manager claims to show consideration for Sergei’s meeting times and religious duties, and Sergei doesn’t challenge this so we are left with the impression that this assertion is correct. Nonetheless, Sergei is given a choice. Go cover the absent employee or go find another job.
Sergei relents and makes preparations to attend the new work plant, but then ponders his Bible and remembers that he needs to attend his family Bible study that night.
He returns home to his family instead of work, and carries out the family study.
No mention is given about what happens to Sergei’s job, but given the attitude of the manager, and that he apparently just walked offsite without notifying anyone, one can safely assume that he was fired. However, in the video, no acknowledgment is made for this possibility and whilst Sergei’s family seem to be eager for the “spiritual food” they are about to receive, I fear that before long they will discover that physical food is rather important as well.
Now remember, we are exploring the following statement:

Even if this were not the Truth, this would still be the best way to live.
Do you think this video supports that claim?
Sergei – When Abandoned
Screenshot 2016-06-07 18.43.30The next installment of what is fast becoming “The Tragedy Of Sergei” takes place when Sergei is an older man, with greying hair. Once again, we meet Sergei’s friend, Natalia, though it seems that his other friend Alexi, is absent. Sergei asks if he can stop by and visit Alexi but a grief-stricken Natalia whispers,

You can’t.
Has Alexi died? Has he been dragged off to prison? Did he emigrate to Outer Mongolia?
No.
It appears that all that has happened to Alexi is that he stopped believing the Watchtower religion. (It’s not specified if he was Disfellowshipped, Disassociated or simply faded)
So good news Sergei!
You CAN go and see him! He’s probably at home right now and all you need to do is pop on round, ring the bell, and chat with your old friend who, despite no longer believing that Steven Lett represents God’s appointed channel on Earth, is probably the same guy you’ve known and loved all these years.
Except that Sergei is one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. It doesn’t matter that his old friend is probably the same man he always was, Sergei is not allowed to judge his friends by  their character, but can do so only by their opinions on Watchtower doctrine.
Make no mistake, Sergei is now under orders from Watchtower: If Alexis has been disfellowshipped or disassociated, Sergei must treat his old friend as if he no longer exists, as if he has died. If he passes Alexi on the street he must not even say a greeting. Total shunning is to be enforced. Even if Alexi has successfully faded without Judicial Sanction, Watchtower makes it clear that unless Sergei has a very good reason, he shouldn’t be interacting with him at all.
And as of this 2016 convention, if the faded Alexi does anything on Watchtower’s prohibited list, like celebrate a birthday, attend a religious service, or give blood, then the shunning laws snap right back into place.
So Sergei, clearly devastated, turns his back on a man he describes as a second father, for no reason other than his religion expects and demands it of him. It is not Alexi who has abandoned Sergei, but rather Sergei who has abandoned his friend.
Now remember, we are exploring the following statement:

Even if this were not the Truth, this would still be the best way to live.
Do you think this video supports that claim?
Sergei – When Facing Death
Screenshot 2016-06-07 19.22.28“The Tragedy of Sergei” is drawing to a close. In the final video, we see Sergei in a hospital bed, gravely ill. His daughter, looking through his old photographs, sees young Sergei with his violin. She shows it to him and says:

I didn’t know you played the violin.
Sergei shrugs and replies.

I lost interest in it, I guess.
It’s no surprise to see that Sergei’s passions and talents have been beaten out of him over the years, given all that he has been forced to give up and to suffer on account of Watchtower commands and doctrine. He has lost his art, his father, five years of his life, his closest friend, and spent a life toiling in a punishing career that he clearly never wanted to have, a career that he possibly even endangered or crippled at one point due to following Watchtower commands about time spent at work.
Nonetheless, things are going to get worse. It’s made clear that unless Sergei undergoes an operation, he is doomed. The doctor advises him that the chances of surviving the operation are much lower if he refuses blood.
Again, Watchtower doctrines snap into place here. If Sergei is judged to have willingly and unrepentantly accepted a blood transfusion, he will be viewed as a disassociated person and shunned by all of his family and friends. Additionally, Sergei will have been indoctrinated all of his life to view such a transfusion as sinful, an act that could jeopardize his chances at gaining eternal life in the paradise earth yet to come.
Thus, it comes as no surprise that Sergei refuses blood, thus lowering the chances he will survive the operation. In the closing moments of the video, Sergei and his daughter both talk about their hope for the future, of being reunited in the Paradise Earth that Watchtower teaches is yet to come. We flash back through the key moments of Sergei’s life, where loyalty to Watchtower first set him off on a journey of hardship, denial and persecution, and Sergei faces what is potentially his death with a tearful smile on his face.
And thus we come to the point.
If Watchtower teachings are correct, and Sergei’s tragic life of missed opportunities, suffering, persecution and lost friends, has enabled him to get access to a wonderful paradise, where his dead loved ones are reunited with him forever, one can make the argument that his life of denial and pain was worth the sacrifice.
But if Watchtower teachings are wrong, then Sergei’s tragic suffering due to following their commands has been entirely without meaning. Quite simply, it is absurd to suggest, given what we have reviewed above, presented by Watchtower itself no less, that there can be any credibility in the statement:

Even if this were not the Truth, this would still be the best way to live.
If this were not “the Truth,” Sergei would have been far better living a normal life. Had he taken the other road, we could be looking at Sergei, the respected and successful musician, who was able to see his father when he died, who didn’t lose five years of his life to incarceration, who never had to shun his closest friend, who spent his life following his passions and not toiling in a workshop, and who is being assured by the doctors that there is a good chance he will survive.
Sergei’s story might be extreme, but it’s not uncommon among Witnesses, and even those who suffer less, still have to give up and sacrifice much on Watchtower’s altar.
Before one sacrifices the life they have now, in the hopes that they will gain a life to come, one needs to research both sides of the argument. There is too much at stake to do otherwise. If you are one of Jehovah’s Witnesses reading this, I urge you to study carefully the following places of information.
JWfacts.com is a great place to start your journey. I invite you to double and triple check every fact and assertion there made and compare them with the claims made at jw.org.
I invite you to do the same for the articles residing here on this website. Check our claims, check our sources, check our facts.
But don’t stop there.
Question everything, research everything, and take note of the fact that, should your elders become aware you are doing this, they will likely try to stop you.
And when that happens, remember this:
Truth has nothing to hide. Falsehood is terrified of questions.
For even more analysis of “The Tragedy Of Sergei,” please click on the link below, which will take you to the video companion piece to this article, presented by JW Survey founder Lloyd Evans


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← The Worst Convention Ever – Part 2: The Bunker
The Friday Column: Jehovah’s Witnesses and Doubts →
 
132 Responses to The Worst Convention Ever – Part 3: Sergei’s Story

← Older Comments
 
 Frankie's Market says:

 June 10, 2016 at 1:02 pm
 
Wow! So many fascinating experiences here of ex-JWs being able to relate to the Sergei video. Count me in as someone once having musical aspirations to play in an orchestra or to teach,… only to have that dream be crushed by my mum, who is a devout Witness even to this day. I don’t know if I had the talent to make a livelihood in music, but it would have meant so much to have had parents who were supportive, like so many of my “worldly” associates had. Instead, my mum ridiculed and discouraged me from playing bass beyond high school. My dad (not a Witness) was just indifferent to the whole thing. So the dream just died as I put my nose to the grind with trying to live up to the expectations of being a zealous JW and getting a “practical” education. Fortunately, my parents allowed me to pursue a university education, so I am doing okay now. But I still think about what might have been, doing something for a living that I really loved and had a passion for instead of just settling for a 9 to 5 job that pays the bills.
 I faded away from the society more than a decade ago. But I can’t help thinking that this video might actually stir up feelings of regret and misgivings in the minds of some active JWs, instead of having its intended effect of keeping Witness sheep loyal to the GB. The rascals in Brooklyn are getting desperate as their cult is beginning to crumble apart.
Reply
 
 
 A Patient Man says:

 June 10, 2016 at 2:01 pm
 
@Fallingangel As you can see my name is “A patient man”. There is a reason for that. My father was one of the most patient men I have ever known. Leading the family of five messed up kids because of this so called “best way of life” was a real challenge for him. So I have adopted the patient attitude from him. I don’t think I do it as well as he did, but I try. As time passes and the universe readjusts itself, if you are patient things eventually right themselves and the problems you are facing today eventually change and the problems don’t seem as insurmountable. My wife’s father was a very wise man and when I worried too much about bad things coming my way he would tell me, “99 times out of a hundred the problems you are worrying about will hit the ditch before they hit you” Many years ago we believed that as the 1914 generation of the special class died off and received their reward the number would go down, which it did. Then if one failed in his or her calling they would be replaced, causing the number to stay the same, which it did. We believed this, and did so for a lot of years. In my lifetime as a witness, (I am currently real close to being completely out) I have know some of these special ones, (I use the term “special” with a frown on my face), some were genuinely nice people, and then some were very hard edged individuals who I avoided at all costs. Why the discrepancy? Were they really chosen by a God who reads hearts and is in control of so much? As we know now the overlapping generation teaching has changed much, especially making room for more partakers because the original belief of the 1914 class is no longer in force. That original teaching of this class dying within their lifetime was written in stone, now not so much. The picture is all muddy now. One of the biggest things I have noticed that the age of some of these special ones is quite young, so if that trend continues for a number of years, where is the end of times? All I know is that for so many years a lot of the teachings were hard to follow and hard to remember, now I feel it is more confusing than ever, it is no wonder some feel that life on earth is not so great anymore, and the pearly gates are looking better than ever. One thing I have learned for myself is listen to people that have real wisdom, not perceived spiritual knowledge, then make the changes in your life that have real meaning, even when the costs are high.
Reply
 
 fallingangel75 says:

 June 10, 2016 at 10:40 pm
 
@ a patient man, thanks the encouragement.
I was thinking about all the comments as I went about my day and I was extremely distracted at work. I always compose my own posts on my phone because I share a computer with my husband and we’re almost always together.
He’s not controlling or jealous. We’re just broke. Small living space, rented room, shared kitchen and bath, one car, and no money for separate pursuits and hobbies.
Maybe Jehovah is preparing us now for life in that bunker. :-/
Seriously though, I keep reading all the comments where people say they aren’t going to attend the convention and no one can make them!
And, no judgment from me at all.
But I have to go with my husband. Why?
Because.
As much as I have written about the change in his hope and how it had affected me/us, I have not said this before: I attended the last 3 conventions and the last 5 assemblies without him.
He didn’t come. He stayed home and I went alone. I was the one who had to put on a brave face and try to make plausible excuses for why he wasn’t there.
Over and over again.
At the time I was worried about his spirituality. He was also missing most meetings and inactive in the ministry for a period of almost 3 years.
To be fair, I was too.
But as much as I was struggling with meeting attendance, I did still look forward to the large gatherings. They were always special in my childhood, teenage years, and also as a single young adult.
A chance to see old friends and make new ones. I volunteered in food service way back when. There was travel to the convention city. So there are fond memories.
And I looked forward to the reminders about how to do better in my service. I really did.
Hearing experiences and news reports from around the world. New releases! Wow!
My husband has none of these memories. He looked forward to none of these things.
He hated conventions.
He always complained about the crowds and the rude people and the uncomfortable seats. He never took notes or followed along in his bible or showed any enthusiasm at all.
He was respectful and he listened (when he was there), but often he just wouldn’t come.
I was planning on letting him be the one sitting awkwardly alone this time. (Our extended families live in different regions and are assigned elsewhere. ).
But several times I have mentioned that people are inclined to double down in the face of evidence that should cause reasonable doubt.
I look back over the last 4 years of our marriage and I feel like both of us were fading without either of us making a conscious decision to do so.
We had fits and starts where we had greater activity and meeting attendance, but by and large we were weak and on the fringes.
There are so many more details I want to provide. …
But anyway, I really do HAVE to see how he reacts to the program – my husband who HATED conventions.
I just have to see for myself if he will nod and clap and agree, or if he will see any of what I see.
I’m truly in great suspense about it.
And, yes, to preempt the questions about whether I pointed out that he was inactive, etc., and how did that fit in with his calling.
I did. He read me the scripture: that is what some of you were.
And I was kinda like: no. We’re talking about what you are….
I think and hope the part of his brain that was also trying to reconcile the discrepancies – I know he has it, we talked about it – just malfunctioned and turned his great doubts into greater conviction.
But that the blatant propaganda will be a shock to his system and sensibilities.
I don’t know though. But still I have to see.
Reply
 
 
 fallingangel75 says:

 June 11, 2016 at 4:57 am
 
A patient man, I have noticed that the age of the special ones, as you call them, is trending downward. I said elsewhere that my husband is 37, but many I’ve talked to of late are even younger: like 29 and 30!
What?
I was a very mature 30, and I don’t believe that age has bearing on a person’s relationship with God and Christ in a way that would disqualify them.
Jesus was young when he started his ministry. You’ll get no age discrimination from me. However…the conflict it has with the doctrine and chronology we were all taught is where I have the biggest problem with the changes even if I take myself and my personal experience with my husband completely out of the equation.
As you say, once it was written in stone but now the explanation has become conveniently and suspiciously fluid, and, yes, therefore muddy and unclear.
How people keep seeing all of these changes as greater and more accurate understanding is beyond me!
I also agree with your assessment that some I knew who professed to be of the anointed class were genuinely Christ-like and I was drawn to them as a child.
I didn’t doubt that if anyone was called, it would be someone like them, but others were hard-edged and mean. Some were just unpleasant people that no one wanted to be around, but there was an obligation on account of not wanting to mistreat one of Christ’s brothers.
That always struck me as odd. Even when I was a young child, it didn’t seem right.
But I was nonetheless told to respect my elders and trust in Jehovah.
Reply
 
 
 
 Chantal says:

 June 10, 2016 at 4:24 pm
 
Wow! Is right! Just an incredible essay. Covert Fade, you hit every emotional high and low note of a born in JW. And you are correct, The truth has nothing to hide. Period, end of story
Reply
 
 
 konceptual99 says:

 June 11, 2016 at 1:22 am
 
Great article.
Reply
 
 
 ligniappe says:

 June 11, 2016 at 2:35 am
 
Falling a75, I read through your comments in response to what I wrote and I can respond to them. I notice there is a new article and most will stop reading and sending to this page. If you care for a reply let me know via this page as any reply may be off topic on the next article
 regards
Reply
 
 fallingangel75 says:

 June 11, 2016 at 3:14 am
 
Yes. Please reply. Thank you very much.
Reply
 
 
 fallingangel75 says:

 June 11, 2016 at 3:14 am
 
Yes. Please reply. Thank you very much.
Reply
 
 fallingangel75 says:

 June 11, 2016 at 3:18 am
 
Sorry for the double post. Phone glitch. This one and the duplicate can be deleted, if admin wants.
Reply
 
 
 
 
 ligniappe says:

 June 11, 2016 at 6:41 am
 
Hi Fallenangel75, read your concerns about thought police, it is always a worry. We have same views I can provide an email address here as a one off which you can reply to only, as I will answer no other mail. Less restriction of replies Let me know, cheers
Reply
 
 fallingangel75 says:

 June 11, 2016 at 8:01 am
 
Ok. Thx. I hope you can tell that I am sincere. My story would be a pretty elaborate fake identity. I always think: who has the time? Someone does, I’m sure. Thx again. 🙂
Reply
 
 
 
 Tara says:

 June 11, 2016 at 9:19 am
 
I logged onto fb last night to see what the comments would be from those who attended the friday convention….. well, there were no comments what so ever. I was quite stunned really. Normally there are pictures and posts and love bombing but not one post was seen. It was a wall of silence.
Reply
 
 fallingangel75 says:

 June 11, 2016 at 10:36 am
 
Things that make you go hmmm. …
Reply
 
 
 
 Ben Murphy says:

 June 11, 2016 at 1:23 pm
 
Excellent analysis….
When can we expect part 4?
Reply
 
 
 Susan says:

 June 11, 2016 at 2:07 pm
 
Excellent job! To me, the message is loud and clear: sacrifice your entire life, give up all your passions, your love, everything enjoyable this world has to offer, then die like everybody else. What a huge waste and a disrespectful way to throw your life away. You can worship God and enjoy life – but Watchtower demands all your allegiance, so it’s not possible if you’re a JW. Any happiness in that organization is just an illusion.
Reply
 
 
 ligniappe says:

 June 11, 2016 at 7:22 pm
 
FA75 I can be reached at nosuchname250@gmail.com
Reply
 
 
 Doc Obvious says:

 June 14, 2016 at 7:18 am
 
The story of Sergei is the main reason that kids leave the Jehovah’s Witnesses religion. Kids realize that their dreams are being squashed by religious men.
The act of learning how to play a violin does not mean that you will be joining the world. This shameful documentary on Sergei’s life and his sacrificing his talents just shows the depth’s Watchtower will go to diminish people’s value.
All I see from this video, is how a Jehovah’s Witness can be depressed and then resort to depression drugs to get the him/her through the day.
It is extremely depressing to watch and see.
Reply
 
 
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← The Worst Convention Ever – Part 3: Sergei’s Story
NEWS BULLETIN: JW.ORG Asks: Can a Person Resign From Being One of Jehovah’s Witnesses? →
 
The Friday Column: Jehovah’s Witnesses and Doubts
Posted on June 10, 2016
 
Like myself, my wife was raised a Jehovah’s Witness and has always loved reading. When she was around 7 years old, she was reading through a science book and came across a chart detailing the evolution of the horse through the ages.
She was so excited about what she discovered, she ran to tell her mother. Her mother, of course, told her how wrong that book was and that it was not true. She taught her that Jehovah created all things and that evolution was a lie.
My wife points to this moment as the earliest memory of having to repress doubt as a Jehovah’s Witness.
How are doubters portrayed by Jehovah’s Witnesses?
The 2016 Remain Loyal to Jehovah! Regional Convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses has stood out to many as unique. In 36 years of attending and viewing conventions, I have never seen one like this. It stands out as a desperate attempt on the part of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society to scare and manipulate current members who may be doubting into staying in the organization.
For instance, during the symposium talk “Be Loyal As Jesus Was – When Abandoned”, a video was played that portrayed a Jehovah’s Witness named Sergei finding out that a close friend of his had “left the truth.”


There is a lot to say about that video; however let’s focus on what led Alexei to leave the truth. Alexei’s wife says,

“A workmate began feeding his mind with doubts about the organization. Pretty soon, those doubts turned into belief…[insert dramatic sigh]…and he left.”
The message from this video is clear: doubts will make you leave the organization.
In a 2001 article entitled “Do not let doubts destroy your faith,” the Watchtower compares having doubts to being infected with a virus.

“You probably also do all you can to avoid exposing yourself to viral or bacterial infection. Do you, however, exercise the same care when it comes to remaining ‘healthy in faith’? (Titus 2:2) Are you, for example, alert to the danger posed by insidious doubts?”
The Watchtower here is implying that doubts have a mind of their own. They can be “fed” to an individual. Watchtower wants you to believe that they can behave like a viral or bacterial infection, spreading and infecting the person, turning into “belief” and causing a person to leave the organization.
That makes doubts sound pretty scary! Perhaps a doubter should play it safe and just believe everything they’re told and suppress the doubt. Wait a minute, though. Doesn’t Proverbs 14:15 say that “the naive person believes every word”? So what should a doubter do?
Is Doubt Bad?
sahib-singh-keep-calm-and-never-doubtThe same 2001 article also acknowledges that it is sometimes okay to doubt. Under the subheading “Doubt—Is It Always Bad?” the article states:

“Of course, not all doubt is bad. At times, you need to suspend acceptance of something till you are sure of the facts. Religious exhortations to the effect that you should just believe and should doubt nothing are dangerous and deceptive.”
In practice, that sounds like actual good advice. However, in reality, ‘just believe and doubt nothing’ is exactly what Watchtower asks of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
In paragraph 16 of that same article, asking such questions as ‘Are we really living in the last days? Can you believe everything the Bible says? Is this truly Jehovah’s organization?’ is likened to Satanic propaganda.

“Satan would love to plant doubts like these in your mind. Do not let a negligent attitude toward spiritual feeding leave you easy prey to his deceptive teachings. (Colossians 2:4-7) Follow the advice given to Timothy. Be a good student of “the holy writings” so that you can “continue in the things that you learned and were persuaded to believe.”—2 Timothy 3:13-15.”
Interestingly, “being a good student” through personal study and “spiritual feeding” is what many who have left the organization point to as the source of their doubts. Personally, that was the case for me.
My Experience With Doubt and Personal Study
Though I had been baptized for more than 20 years, I experienced renewed zeal after I attended the 2014 Regional Convention; the convention that first initiated the now widespread use of video presentations. One video in particular impacted me deeply.


After watching that video and listening to the other parts in the program, I gave in to the emotional manipulation and resolved to “do more in Jehovah’s service.” I stopped missing meetings for trivial reasons. I increased my service time by 200%. I also started to do more Bible reading and personal study of Jehovah’s Witness publications.
I had been diligent at studying in my teenage years; however I had never really carried out serious personal study during the age of the internet. One of the first things I researched was the doctrine of 1914 and how the organization arrives at that date. The date of Jerusalem’s destruction by Babylon is important to the doctrine of 1914, as it is used as the starting point for a series of calculations that arrive at the 1914 date. Suffice it to say, when I Googled, I specifically stayed away from so-called “apostate” websites, and stuck with secular and academic sources.
When I Googled “Destruction of Jerusalem,” I found that the overwhelming consensus among academics was that Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem in 587 B.C.E. In fact, no one on earth, except for Jehovah’s Witnesses, believes that Jerusalem was destroyed in 607 B.C.E.
This made me uncomfortable, so I looked up more information in the Watchtower Online Library. The answers I found were lacking in evidence and filled with logical fallacies. The argumentation the organization offered basically boiled down to; “Trust the Bible more than you trust the historical and archaeological evidence these people have found.”
I was not reading Satanic propaganda. I was only examining the evidence.
It was an emotionally turbulent time for me. On the one hand, I had all the hard, verifiable evidence telling me one thing, and on the other I had the organization and my emotions wanting me to ignore that evidence and believe Watchtower teachings nonetheless.
There eventually came a tipping point, and I decided to rely on on the evidence.
Thus began my path out of Watchtower’s indoctrination, and towards true freedom of the mind.
If You Have Doubts
doing-researchSo, what if you are having doubts? What should you do?
Well, why not follow the advice of the organization from that same 2001 about doubts?

“A loving Christian is certainly ready to believe those who have proved trustworthy in the past. But God’s Word also warns against ‘putting faith in every word.’ (Proverbs 14:15)”
Yes, the organization warns us not to put faith in every word, yet be ready to believe those who have proved trustworthy in the past. So, how do you know if an organization has proven trustworthy in the past? Research the history of the organization and examine if their claims and doctrine have proven trustworthy.

“Sometimes a person’s past record gives legitimate reason for doubt. “Although [the deceptive talker] makes his voice gracious,” the Bible warns, “do not believe in him.”—Proverbs 26:24, 25.”
Yes, let the organization’s past record speak for itself. Examine the facts and see if it does not give legitimate reason for doubt. The organization has extensive practice seasoning their words “with salt” – thereby making their words appear gracious. Are they being deceptive? Again, that is for you, the reader, to judge.
The apostle John also warns Christians against blind belief. “Do not believe every inspired expression,” he writes. Rather, “test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God.” (1 John 4:1) An “expression,” a teaching or opinion, might appear to emanate from God. But did it really come from him? Exercising some doubt, or suspending belief, can be a real protection because, as the apostle John says, “many deceivers have gone forth into the world.”—2 John 7.
Yes, heed this advice. The organization’s doctrines might appear to come from God or Holy Spirit, but is that really the case? Why not do what they suggest and exercise some doubt and suspend belief until you examine the evidence?
A Unique Opportunity
magnifying-glass1The 2016 Remain Loyal to Jehovah! Regional Convention is an excellent opportunity to put aside confirmation bias, examine the evidence, and examine the organization. There are many people that claim that the organization is a harmful cult or high-control group. The organization denies this. Why not examine the evidence at this Summer’s convention?
Here is a handy guide to identifying if an organization is a harmful high-control group; a recognised model developed by Steve Hassan, an expert in dealing with dangerous high-control organisations. Take this list, go through every part and video at the 2016 convention and compare with this list. What does the evidence show?
That, dear reader, is for you to decide yourself.
 
By JW Survey contributor Sean McGee, A.K.A. Cappytan
13413899_10154275138647628_938858174_n
 
 
Editors note: Huge thanks to Sean for contributing this article. You can check out his YouTube channel here.
Here are a few of the videos waiting of you!




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← The Worst Convention Ever – Part 3: Sergei’s Story
NEWS BULLETIN: JW.ORG Asks: Can a Person Resign From Being One of Jehovah’s Witnesses? →
 
50 Responses to The Friday Column: Jehovah’s Witnesses and Doubts

 Dwc says:

 June 10, 2016 at 1:18 pm
 
What an awesome post!! I hope to do one of these Friday posts one day.
i am currently at my Friday convention (last ever) and I am taking extensive notes. I cannot believe the difference an awakened view of this doctrine takes on now that I look at everything through a different light.
Id be happy to share my notes after the weekend to anyone who is curious.
But make no mistake the WTBS is using the standards that God has laid out in the bible and at every turn they twist them into fear obligation and guilt!
Reply
 
 Cappytan says:

 June 10, 2016 at 1:29 pm
 
Thanks…I’m glad to say, my last official convention was last summer. It is a surreal experience attending while awake to the lies.
Reply
 
 John ship says:

 June 10, 2016 at 1:50 pm
 
Ive been awake around a year but ive promised to take my wife to friday and sunday. Ive seen some of the awfull vids and the unfit for children bunker vid this will be my last convention .first was 1964 .how things have changed i cant believe it.the “new” GB are self dedtructing the org..
Reply
 
 Will says:

 June 10, 2016 at 2:18 pm
 
Great article. My last convention was in 2014— 100 years of the kingdom. I was miserable. I told myself that I was never doing another convention. 1914 was just an elaborate Watchtower lie.
Reply
 
 Winston Smith says:

 June 10, 2016 at 3:31 pm
 
The way I see it 1914 was a miscalculation that became a lie due to a lack of humility and and an unhealthy desire for power.
Have not attended a convention since 2013 and happier for it.
WS

 
 
 
 
 Chantal says:

 June 10, 2016 at 4:46 pm
 
My last official convention was last summer as well. Only went Sunday. That was too much. Lies, video, and propaganda
Reply
 
 
 
 JBob says:

 June 10, 2016 at 2:10 pm
 
I wish I had been more aware of being at my “last ever” convention.
But I disagree that this convention is somehow “unique,” perhaps you were not aware of the full-court press GB v1.0 put forth during the first wave of dissents after 1975, and during the early 1980s. If the word ‘loyalty’ could have been worn away through use, the years when numbers were diving like kamikaze piloted planes would have been when that word was eroded from the dictionary by use in talks and publications. There may be some nuances to material presented at this convention, but from what I’ve seen leaked, nothing is new.
The bunker videos are derivatives of years of KH legend and talk in service cars through the years as some speculated on “great tribulation” days. No sentiment, my club foot. These are throwbacks (or callbacks, if you’re really old) to those pre-1975 memories of speculative talk.
Reply
 
 Adam Heckathorn says:

 June 11, 2016 at 7:40 am
 
JBob I think you are right and I think if there were those still alive who lived through many other dates of the end pre 75 and they knew about the internet they would be putting their two cents worth in the this is not new topic. We see what we want to see unless the c
 ognitive dissonance finally forces us to admit to ourselves “This cannot possibly be true.”
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Brother from Austria says:

 June 10, 2016 at 1:49 pm
 
Thank you for this very good article!
Reply
 
 
 rob says:

 June 10, 2016 at 1:57 pm
 
I remember many times hearing from the platform the words “make sure of all things” but unfortunately the witness religion does not allow this.
An inability to question anything that is printed in the watchtower and an inability to speak freely and express doubts, is like living in a prison with no walls.
I am so glad that I no longer have to punch my time card for this corporate religion and no longer have to adhere to the many pharasiacal rules.
As this religion becomes more radical and tightens the grip even further on its members, and as members come to realize that the burden becomes heavier and heavier – which is contrary to what Jesus wanted for his followers –
they may finally realize that this is not what they initially signed up for and just call it quits.
I believe that we will never see a sudden exodus from this religion but a continued hemorraging of people who just can no longer stay in a religion that is trying to hide the mess behind the curtain.
Reply
 
 Big B says:

 June 10, 2016 at 3:48 pm
 
@ Rob
I concur with you; and what a smelly mess it is! No matter how they try to visually hide their corruption from their adherents they can’t hide the smell. Especially from anyone who can use the internet. The information is out there for those brave enough to look.
Like a rotten fish not only does it ‘stink on ice’ it (the Watchtower Organization & current seven mental dwarfs calling themselves the spirit inspired/guided Governing Body) ‘stinks from the head’.
This money grubbing, time-bandit, covetous cult is no different than any other televangelist organization. Power over people is their mantra and trying to get money is what this ‘Organization’ is all about; doing so through the time honored practices of FOG (Fear Obligation & Guilt).
They are indeed hemorrhaging with more than 2 leaving the organization for every 1 brought in. Maybe they could use a transfusion of money or more ‘New Light’. Any donors, anyone?
On average, over 500 partook of the emblems at the Memorial over a 10 year period of time. The Governing Body has no control over these figures. Can they explain this? Will they admit that the 144,000, like everything in Revelation, is symbolic?
 Will Armageddon be brought on by Jesus’ armed angelic host and bring the Satanic world to an ignominious end, and save them from the further embarrassment of releasing more New Light?
So kiddies, stay tuned next time for the further adventures of “the implosion of the Watchtower”!
Brought to you by jwsurvey.org and many others reporting on the truth about the ‘Truth’ to help you unburden yourself and lighten your load.
Oh, great article Sean! Enjoyed it immensely.
Reply
 
 
 
 Fred says:

 June 10, 2016 at 2:18 pm
 
Would Jesus wear a Rolex on JW Broadcasting?
 We must let Watchtower answer:
*** w90 2/1 p. 25 pars. 19-20 Exposing “the Man of Lawlessness” ***
19 The worldliness of some clergy has even been exposed in the media in recent times, as for example the licentious and luxurious life-styles of some TV clergymen. One modern songwriter composed a song with the title: “Would Jesus Wear a [$10,000] Rolex [watch] on His Television Show?” The song goes on to say: “Would Jesus be political if He came back to earth, have His second home in [luxurious] Palm Springs and try to hide His worth?” In addition, more and more clergymen condone or practice homosexuality. Even now the Catholic Church in the United States is paying millions of dollars in damages to compensate for priests guilty of sexual abuse of children.—Romans 1:24-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10.
 20 Such wrongdoing cannot be ignored by God’s servants but must be exposed for the benefit of others. The great crowd of other sheep must be protected from those who would try to lead them to break God’s laws. And those “sighing and groaning over all the detestable things that are being done” need to be searched out and gathered to the protective guidance of the Great Shepherd, Jehovah God, and “the fine shepherd,” Christ Jesus.—Ezekiel 9:4; John 10:11; Proverbs 18:10.
Reply
 
 
 Darth Fader says:

 June 10, 2016 at 2:43 pm
 
Awesome Friday Article! I had “doubts” and w13 11/15 para 17 (3) confirmed them. The ORG belives it should be blindly obeyed without question. The 2016 convention videos scream “CULT”. People need to wake up and ask questions or they will end up trapped in a basement. Doubt and questioning are built in survival tools that can save your life
 The 2016 convention videos are so incredibly difficult to watch. I would rather wear a flatulent elephant as a helmet then ever have to watch them again.
Reply
 
 Telescopium says:

 June 11, 2016 at 6:23 am
 
DF,
 You’ll be happy to know that it is scientifically confirmed that flatulent elephant helmets, while somewhat uncomfortable, are significantly more useful than the 2016 convention videos at repelling cultists. The data can be found here:
http://www.flatulent-helmet-studies.com
Reply
 
 Telescopium says:

 June 11, 2016 at 7:21 am
 
I’m getting reports the link is broken.
 Sorry bout’ that.
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Oubliette says:

 June 10, 2016 at 2:48 pm
 
Sean, what a well-reasoned article. Thanks for writing this and sharing your experience.
I really appreciate the way you pointed out that the WTBTS wants people to doubt everything except what they say!
There is nothing wrong with doubts. Doubts are healthy. Ignoring them is dangerous. As has often been pointed out: if something is true, then questioning it will only lead to affirming its validity. The WT leaders don’t want their followers to question or have doubts because they know where that will lead.
My only comment is that you shouldn’t use Wikipedia as a source as it is not consistently reliable. Here are two better sources in reference to confirmation bias:
Psychology Today Magazine (online) – https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/science-choice/201504/what-is-confirmation-bias,
And a more comprehensive research paper:
 Confirmation Bias: A Ubiquitous Phenomenon in Many Guises by Raymond S. Nickerson – http://landman-psychology.com/ConfirmationBias.pdf
Keep up the great work!
Oubliette
Reply
 
 
 Stephanie says:

 June 10, 2016 at 3:27 pm
 
So glad you are sharing your story, Sean!! Welcome to freedom– your voice deserves to be heard.
Reply
 
 
 I KNOW NOTHING says:

 June 10, 2016 at 4:18 pm
 
Thank you for this great article.Doubt is what I had struggled with all the years that I had been a JW and no amount of research or study of JW literature was able to erase my doubts,it only helped to reinforce them.Doubt is good.
Reply
 
 
 ruthlee says:

 June 10, 2016 at 4:36 pm
 
Like others I started the research path and not a jot of what I thought was true, was true. Then came the anger, then the disappointment and now the freedom to think as I please. I do not fear any of them now it is all smoke and mirrors,a fabricated sham. Such an elaborate façade while it lasted. As commented I find wtower stuff really hard to read or listen to as it gets on my nerves. I have no trouble reading the bible in fact that is the best thing that came out of this journey. I am still not going to this convention there is no point what can they teach that gives hope or purpose to my life. After 3 days of drivel how could I possibly go and tell my neighbours to collect their pandas and come in the bunker with me and all the other jdubs. Maybe to relieve the boredom in the bunker someone could bring a violin. Mind you no one would know how to play it but it would be an interesting curiosity. On another note , If jdubs were gathered in a bunker for sometime and they read the bible together they would find all the truth they needed without Brooklyn’s spin on things. mmmmm then we would hear a few teeth gnashing as the great discovery of delusion.cheers Ruthlee
Reply
 
 
 Quendi says:

 June 10, 2016 at 4:55 pm
 
Sean,
Many thanks for your piece. I hope it spurs thinking readers who are still active Witnesses to give it the serious consideration it is due. Those same readers should also be alert to the clever manipulation the Watchtower has employed over the decades to keep its followers in the fold. It is not just the threats of disfellowshipping and subsequent shunning that rein in many doubters, it is also the corrosive acid of whether any doubter is worthy of God’s love and guidance should he or she question Witness orthodoxy.
Many people embrace Watchtower theology because they sincerely love God and have come to believe that the Witness religion is really the way of pleasing Him. To doubt and then leave the organization might lead to spiritual suicide and the wrath of God lying everlastingly upon them. So they remain imprisoned, burdened by their doubts and the false hope that everything will work out for the best in the end. That was certainly my belief and why, when my first misgivings surfaced more than twenty years ago, I stayed. When I was eventually disfellowshipped, I spent five vain years seeking reinstatement before I finally worked up the courage to act on my convictions and end any and all efforts to return to the organization’s good graces.
For some people, the key to leaving is to acknowledge that love for God and love for the organization are not synonymous. Once a person gains that clear and distinct understanding, shackles will fall off, the prison gate will swing open, and the road to freedom can finally be trod.
Reply
 
 fallingangel75 says:

 June 11, 2016 at 11:12 am
 
@Quendi, I feel like this describes my husband, and until very recently it described me as well. Part of the reason why we are distressed right now is exactly that.
He thinks that I have abandoned all belief in God and right and wrong. He thinks I will incur God’s everlasting disapproval.
I have been told for so long that the JWs were his only approved channel that I am not sure what to do next.
And as much as I appreciate this site, everyone is all over the place as far as what they chose to do when they left.
I do wish I knew where to look for more info about what else is out there.
Some will misunderstand and think that I have left one master and I don’t know how to be free, so I’m searching for another one.
I don’t want anyone to tell me what to do next. I do want to decide for myself, but after being a witness all my life, I don’t even know what my options are.
I’m not sure if I want a personal relationship with God, or to belong to some other organized religion.
I do still believe in the concept of right and wrong and truth and lies, but I am unsure about how to seek God’s approval and what and how much he expects of us in the way of good works.
I’m certain that I should do what I can to help my fellowman, and to be a good person, but beyond that I’m at a loss.
And, I know that it is a contradiction to everything I just said, but some days I do wonder if there’s a God.
The foundations of my faith have been so thoroughly shaken that I’m not sure of anything I was taught regarding the existence of a Creator and what he wants for us.
Reply
 
 Quendi says:

 June 11, 2016 at 3:02 pm
 
@fallingangel75
You are not alone in your feelings of disorientation while you wrestle with your conscience, your faith and your sense of morality. Others have felt the same and I can say this was where I found myself when I made the decision to have nothing to do with the Watchtower again.
In my own case, I had to wrestle with feelings of low self-esteem and self-hatred. Since I am a gay man, the Watchtower had taught me that I was the scum of the earth and only completely purging my true nature would ever bring me God’s approval. I came to realize that was untrue and then I was able to finally move forward.
I still believe in God, and I still believe that some portions of what we call the Bible were inspired by Him. Once I had reached that point I began searching for a spiritual community where I could both contribute my gifts and abilities and be welcomed and loved for who I was. I am not saying that everyone should do as I did, but I have come to realize that being part of a community is an essential need I have. I have been fortunate to find one where I live in Denver, Colorado. That has enabled me to continue my “detoxification” program and I have grown and made progress in the healing I have needed.
In short, I would say that severing ties with the Watchtower is only a first step. I was a Witness for more than thirty years, so my detoxification has been a gradual process, not one that has happened quickly. Furthermore, it is an ongoing condition; and once I realized that I was able to let my healing take place at a healthy pace.
The road ahead will not be easy for either you or your husband, but should you choose to take it, I would say your choice is the wise one. You will find that there will be many people who will want to aid and assist you find the lives that will satisfy you. Redevelop your thinking abilities. Listen and learn, even when you hear things you don’t agree with because that is how you will grow in wisdom. Share your hopes and fears with others as you have in this forum and I think you will find that the rewards you will reap will far outweigh any blows you may suffer.
Reply
 
 fallingangel75 says:

 June 12, 2016 at 3:50 am
 
Thanks, Quendi. Even though I am still in my 30s, I also count more than 30 years in because I was a very precocious child.
I have many clear memories of observations made and conclusions drawn that go back to when I was 3 or 4 years old.
I have even more strong impressions of things I understood and began to question counting forward from the age of 5.
Thirty years would be a lot of indoctrination if I was counting from age 15 or 20 or 30, but the impact on my psyche from that 30 year span comprising essentially my entire life is a whole other issue to deal with.
I like you. I really enjoy your comments. My heart goes out to you. As much as I was ever unhappy, I feel like it cannot compare to what you experienced as a gay man.
I often questioned the rules, but I never felt self-hatred as a result.
I felt stifled and unable to pursue goals. I also felt like I could not measure up to expectations, but I never felt like it was inherently wrong to be myself or to love who I wanted to love.
That’s a whole other set of issues.
I was always very confident in myself and my abilities. Thankfully, no self-esteem problems.l. The struggle I had was with humility and the roles that women are relegated to.
But that is off-topic.
It intrigues me that you still believe in God. Many people have abandoned belief in God over less.
I have a question: when you say that you belong to a ‘spiritual community’, is it actually a church with services and Bible study? Or is it a less formal group that does outreach programs, social work, charity, etc.?
I’ve never been to Denver, but it seems like a cool place. Me and my husband considered moving there at one point.
I appreciate your advice. Much of what you said is what I have always done, which is a large part of the reason I find myself here now.
I always participated in Interfaith discussions and charities. (Secretly. After I became an adult. Less once I got married.) But I have attended church services with co-workers. I have read recommended books and magazines and study publications from other faiths.
And I enjoyed it, and often felt encouraged and upbuilt. I did learn things.
I always believed it was ridiculous to ask people to accept and read our literature and to come to our meetings, but to flatly refuse theirs.
Of course I was alone in this. I never announced that I was doing it, and had concerns about the consequences if I was ever ‘caught’.
And I was never sure if Jehovah would hold it against me, but I was still willing to take my chances.
I have also always been sympathetic to people in the LGBT community. I have way more gay friends than any proper witness should.
I feel like that comment is like when people say they have a black friend, and you think: sure you do – have you ever been to their home?
Yes. I really do and I really have. On the super down low, of course, and not for stealth conversion.
Like to sleep over and watch a movie. More than once.
Never cracked a Bible, didn’t even bring one.
Gasp! Shame on me, right?
I feel like my thinking abilities are and always have been in tact, there was just so much information I didn’t have about things that the organization is doing wrong. Or the more objective history, not the one they teach us
I realize that I had always cherry-picked which beliefs I really held and would defend.
When questioned about certain doctrines, I would say, Jehovah’s Witnesses teach ‘x’, my personal belief however. …
But that is off-topic, also.
What has kept me in is mainly the fear of losing out on everlasting life in paradise, because I did earnestly believe that was a real thing.
And the fear of losing my friends and family through shunning, because that most definitely is a real thing.
Reply
 
 Quendi says:

 June 13, 2016 at 6:54 am
 
@fallingangel75
Thanks for sharing some of your story. I appreciate the sentiments you have expressed and found none of them offensive or condescending. I have taken my time in replying to you because I wanted to read your answer more than once to make sure I grasped what you were saying. Also Sunday’s events in Orlando have been mind-shaking and heart-breaking and I wanted to take a little time to absorb their impact.
To answer your question about the community I joined, I will share a few details. After I made my decision to forever sever ties with the Watchtower, I took time off from religion, as it were, and gave myself a rest period. My belief in God was something I had long before I studied with Jehovah’s Witnesses and it survived my withdrawal from the cult. I had reinforced it with my own independent studies in religion, philosophy and science, so I didn’t need Watchtower literature or meetings to maintain my belief in God’s existence or his love for humanity.
A friend counseled me to look for gay Christians in the Denver area to associate with. This is where the Internet was a great help and I found a group that looked like it would be suitable. It was the Metropolitan Community Church of the Rockies located in Denver. At that time I lived in Longmont, some 40 miles away, but I thought it would be worth the drive to see what was going on there.
The first service I attended was in September 2011. I came dressed as if attending a Witness meeting and was stunned to see everyone else in casual attire. I wasn’t “love bombed” when I entered the church and quietly took a seat in the back row. That allowed me to watch and listen unobtrusively.
The service was utterly unlike anything I had ever experienced. There was lots of singing which involved the entire congregation. There was a choir of only seven or eight people, but they sang with real joy and gusto. The music was a blend of popular songs and traditional hymns.
It was the sermon, however, that riveted me–that and the behavior of the congregation. The message I heard that morning didn’t revolve around a “gay agenda.” Instead, I heard a simple but effective message of how God’s love was all embracing and that He had given us our nature, our character and our talent to use in service to one another and to enjoy life to the full. As I looked around the congregation and saw men and women sitting with their same-sex partners, I realized I had found something special. All the fear and hatred had been left outside the church doors and here was a place where people could express their love freely. There were straight couples in attendance that morning who had not only come themselves but brought their children as well. (The church’s motto is “We are gay and straight together.”) As I listened to the sermon, I began to quietly weep. For the first time in my life I had walked into a house of worship and did not feel shame for being a gay man. For the first time in my life I heard words from a minister that God loved me just as I was.
I attended services for six months and got to know different individuals there. Then I moved back to Birmingham, Alabama to care for my mother. I was gone for nine months before returning to Colorado in January 2013, this time to settle in Denver with the man who is now my partner. I resumed my association with MCCR and decided to join in October 2014.
Since joining, I have participated in different activities the church has. I was asked to be part of the choir. I do occasional public reading during a service. I support the outreach the church has in our community. We have a food bank that feeds hundreds of people. We support a shelter for homeless LGBT youth and we do other things that make me feel glad to be part of this community.
We have no requirements that people believe a rigid and unyielding set of doctrines. For example, on “Trinity Sunday”, the pastor said that he knew there were some among us who did not subscribe to the belief in the Trinity–I am certainly one such person–but that was okay because we were about sharing God’s love with everyone. There was another Sunday when the guest speaker was an atheist. His message to us was to build on our common humanity and thereby enrich the lives of our brothers and sisters. One of our members has a husband who is an atheist but regularly attends service with him because, as both of them have told me, they want their adoptive children to experience genuine love in a community that will accept their parents and themselves unconditionally.
I can’t imagine any Witness congregation coming anywhere close to expressing this kind of love and acceptance. This is not to say that MCCR doesn’t have problems or experience stress and discord. Every human community does. The difference here is that we try to work these things out in love and we allow our people to freely express themselves.
So this is where I find myself now. Our community is facing some serious problems, but we are determined to move forward as a family. When I contribute money, I know where it is going and how it is being spent. When I make the occasional suggestion, I am listened to respectfully even if my idea is not adopted or acted on. People tell me how glad they are to see me and how much they appreciate my contributions to our community’s life blood.
My partner is not a church-goer, but he is glad I have found a spiritual home. I am grateful for his support and being part of MCCR has reinforced my determination to never set foot in a Witness gathering again.
Quendi

 
 
 
 
 Winston Smith says:

 June 11, 2016 at 9:53 pm
 
FA75,
 As you start down your path of discovery, my recommendation: study everything. Have you read Ray Franz’s 2 books? They are a good place to start.
You will find a way that works for you.
WS
Reply
 
 Adrian says:

 June 12, 2016 at 3:50 am
 
@fallingangel
 Trying to find advice for someone in your position, who still has a partner who is in the organisation is tough.
 Firstly I’d say that when I left Jehovah’s Witnesses at 17, four years after being baptised at 13, I still believed in God and Jesus, and I held on to a faith that they knew I was doing no wrong to anyone. I had to accept that I wouldn’t know everything or have the answers to everything, but did I ever? When the going got tough on the doors, with someone who had questions that couldn’t be answered by Insight o.t. Scriptures or an elder, we generally would give up and decide the person we were talking to was not a sheep – so we never really had all the answers. So first of all you’ll need to accept that God, as you understand him actually loves you unconditionally.
 Years later I joined a Church of England (Episcopalian Church). I was by then an atheist, and I was surprised at how accepting they were of atheists and Catholics who went along but didn’t take part. Yes, really. If you do find another religious group, make sure that they show unconditional niceness. No genuine people will show unconditional love straight out, watch out for those sorts of groups. You don’t want to bounce out of the frying pan and into the fire.
 However, being as you are, still married to a believer, you will probably find that sort of step too much, so I’d advise you to search out some other form of communal activity – local knitting group, welding classes, exercise group, whatever. If they show politeness that should be good enough.
My big advice to people leaving, especially to younger people, is to be conservative when deciding what is good and is not good, and who your new associations are. The world is full of wonderful people, but there is also a mixed bag, and soem awful people out there too, so dip your toes in the water, and trust that in the fullness of time you’ll get a feel for who, in the long term is a genuine friend and who is not.
Good luck in your search.
Reply
 
 fallingangel75 says:

 June 12, 2016 at 9:29 am
 
@ Adrian: Thanks. One thing I have realized by reading here and other ex-JW forums is this – I am not as isolated and sequestered as many have been.
I continue to say that I am very outgoing and friendly. People meet me one time and comment that I seem fun, cool, nice, kind, etc.
People comment that I must have many friends and that I must have been popular in high school, etc.
Not trying to pat myself on the back at all.
But I have never struggled with making friends or fitting in. (In the good way.)
I’m a natural leader and influencer, not a follower. (Except for being a JW, and always it has chapped and chafed.)
My struggle really has been with the JW pressure to NOT make friends outside the organization. That goes against my nature.
I really always did it anyway, but drew the line at going to holiday parties and birthdays and such. (Mostly.)
If I thought I could attend and not be found out, I totally did, but this was not often.
I always get invited, though.
I live in a part of the country where a lot of people go to church and are god-fearing, and even those who are not are still good people focused on taking care of their families.
I suppose I have been a social ‘double-lifer’ for the past 15 years.
And I am therefore not naive about people outside the organization.
I recognize that people are good and bad and you must pay attention to the cues they give about how they intend to treat you.
As they say, my mama didn’t raise no fool.
I can handle myself in the world. Both of my parents were very streetwise because they grew up poor in bad neighborhoods.
So even though I grew up sheltered in the suburbs, they always made sure to teach me to protect myself from people of an untrustworthy and predatory nature, and that such individuals are just as likely to be found inside the organization as out.
But not to fear everyone.
I appreciate them for that. I feel like I know how to make my way in the world better than most who were born into the organization.
I have an instant network of friends I can become a part of more fully than before, when I do find the courage to leave.
I’m not worried about that.
What hurts is that I cannot have both.
I must accept the severance of ties with all of my closest JW friends.
My close friends from my workplace and charities I’m involved in is what has shown me that JWs are not as superior as they claim.
I know so many good people doing good works who genuinely care about and care for others selflessly.
People who are making just as great an effort to apply bible principles in their lives and marriages as any of the Witnesses.
JWs do not have the corner on that market like they would have you believe!
So that is great advice about evaluating my new associates, but I have that part covered.
I already know a lot of good and trustworthy people.
Adrian: I can’t tell from context – are you still an atheist? Or were you an atheist at the time, but they won you over? Did you join the church while still an atheist?
It was unclear to me.
I’m not about to go join up anywhere anytime soon. When you break up with a boyfriend or girlfriend, the worst thing is to try to replace them immediately and on the rebound just to fill the void.
I feel that way about this. But I do feel like I must decide something about whether or not I truly believe in God and how or if I must worship him.
I don’t want to automatically default to atheism because the witnesses deceived and disappointed me, nor do I want to align myself with another group that is just as misled but more fun to be a part of.
So I’m not about to rush out and immerse myself in anything just because I’m lonely and I need to belong.
But thanks again for your advice and concern. I genuinely appreciate it. 🙂

 
 
 
 
 Andrew Haas says:

 June 12, 2016 at 9:36 pm
 
I think your right. At this stage you should not let others tell you what to do. God loves you and will wait for you as you embark on your journey of discovery. I can only tell you of my journey and if you find it helpful, then I’m glad. I left the JW’s 15 years ago. I felt a real tear but also a sense of freedom. Part of the process was reading Ray Franz’s two books. As soon as I discovered the Organisational lies and deception I became a avid reader of Christian theology. I discovered and started to believe many things that at one time I would have condemned. These new doctrines took a lot of soul searching and prayer, before I saw their place in Christian theology. To believe in the trinity, the immortality of the soul, the heavenly hope for all Christians was going against all my JW indoctrination but now I believe without doubt. Many would say that I am now indoctrined into another form of theological thinking. I know that what I believe and the path I have chosen is not for everyone, but that’s ok. I no longer look at people as “us and them”. To me, everyone is equally loved by God. If you want to find truth, you will find it but will take time as work through the process. The church I belong to is brilliant. It has a prison ministry, a bread ministry to the poor in our city. It supports overseas missionaries. Both women and men teach. I feel loved without conditions. These are people who really care about fellow church members and the wider community. I have never been happier. But that’s just me. Others have found a different path and that freedom to choose has to be supported. It’s a fundamental right !! Hope you find your path to peace.
Reply
 
 
 Jess says:

 June 13, 2016 at 6:12 pm
 
Take a comparative religion class at your local community college. It will expose you to several different ideologies/belief systems from all over the world. I did and it was amazing!
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Chantal says:

 June 10, 2016 at 4:57 pm
 
Very good and informative article, Sean. Thank you for sharing. When going in field service we were told to ask bible students to doubt their beliefs in their current faith. But, OH NOOO, never question the Almighty God, oh excuse me, the Watchtower
Reply
 
 
 Tara says:

 June 10, 2016 at 6:45 pm
 
‘Our’ convention is also this weekend…. did I go? Hahahahahahahahahahaha…no.
Reply
 
 
 Matias says:

 June 10, 2016 at 8:16 pm
 
Great article. Enjoyed it.
Reply
 
 
 Maria F. says:

 June 10, 2016 at 9:41 pm
 
very very good, keep up the great work, i really enjoy the articles,and just want to add that,this is our,my family and mine 5th,year out of the org..after more than 30 years,and no one wants to even think of going back…!!!
Reply
 
 
 Gaby says:

 June 11, 2016 at 5:23 am
 
Great article! When I spoke of doubts I had about the org. my family were like your not suppose to question Gods appointed men and reminded me of The Israelites and what happened to them for doubting Moses. Even my father who stop attending meetings for many years and celebrates birthdays , xmas ect.. told me this and told me how we are in the last days and this isnt the time for doubts! This made me realize how controling this cult is! Even those not currently attending meetings still have control of their thinking. Thanks for posting the handy dandy guide. Scary that once we believed this cult and still now trying to break away emotionally from it is not easy. How they had full control of our mind, behavior and thoughts is pretty scary to me. Since this regional convention my mom has become more zelous and has been too busy to see her grandkids. How they waiste their time and energy in this religion instead of what really matters. I feel so bad for my family and others that were close to me that are still in this religion. Wish i can help them.
Reply
 
 Former Italian Congregation Chicago says:

 June 11, 2016 at 10:49 pm
 
Me too. It’s sad. I make it a point not to have any contact with my mom. I let her know when I’m stoping her house to pick stuff up via text. My dad is not a JW so I have reason to stop at the house. The rest of my family are jdubs and they each need to be courageous to take the first step themselves; persuading and talking to them is useless.
Reply
 
 
 
 Telescopium says:

 June 11, 2016 at 7:18 am
 
Thanks for this article Sean!
 I appreciate that you mention being a good student has led to many leaving the Organization. That was my experience too.
 I think it’s disgusting that the literature portrays everyone who left as “weak” or “disloyal”.
They don’t want to address the questions the faders/disassociated/disfellowshipped ask. They just want them to shut up! And to top it off, they make it seem like the major reasons people leave are anxiety, hurt feelings, or guilt (see the Return To Jehovah tract).
My sense of justice is outraged.
Right now I’m waiting for Oubliette to hold his review session, because I think I finally understand the answer: It’s a cult!
Reply
 
 fallingangel75 says:

 June 11, 2016 at 9:14 am
 
@ telescopium, what I resent just as much is the implications that the majority leave to pursue immoral lives of debauchery. How many times have we heard that the major reason people leave is fornication, adultery, or drug and alcohol abuse?
All my life I’ve heard that people don’t like the restrictions that are there to protect them…. that lie alone has got me so angry now that I know differently.
And that people are too self-centered to go to meetings and field service.
So what if I am?
Yeah, now that I realize what a crock it is, I DO have better things to do with my time, even if it means that I want to lie in bed guilt-free on a Saturday or Sunday morning.
Reply
 
 Telescopium says:

 June 11, 2016 at 10:46 am
 
Fallingangel75,
 Totally agree with you. I guess they’ll never make it sound okay to leave, because everyone would rush for the doors!
Enjoy your guilt-free meeting nights!
 Enjoy your guilt-free weekends!
 Enjoy your guilt-free life!
Reply
 
 fallingangel75 says:

 June 11, 2016 at 10:50 am
 
🙂
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Outandabout says:

 June 11, 2016 at 5:04 pm
 
No question, Telescopium, but they’re actually more than just a cult…..it’s a Death Cult! You have to be prepared to die for their beliefs. I believe the GB would love to get the blood monkey off their backs but they’ve come too far now to admit it was a mistake. They’re playing a double game by making it a matter of choice and so avoiding any legal comebacks, but at the same time they are forced to push the blood policy as gods word because to say anything different would be to admit they were wrong and risk having their arse’s sued off by irate families, not to mention a possible exodus on top of that.
 So to summarise: they are killing people to maintain their lies and are fully aware of it.
 Evil at it’s absolute worst!!
 This angle needs pushing hard.
Reply
 
 
 Former Italian Congregation Chicago says:

 June 11, 2016 at 10:44 pm
 
Good point. Instead of answering the doubts, which are most common to all witnesses, they just prompt the jdubs to avoid and shun. Their teachings, coming from god, should be solid in every respect and angle. Their cavalry of special pioneers, regular pioneers, and auxiliary pioneers should all be excited to jump into action and rebuddle every point and counterpoint we bring up. Instead they are instructed to avoid. If you are preaching 90-120 hours a month, aside from going to class/meetings a few times a week, your skills should be honed down; you should be drooling at the chance to take on someone who was once a jdub. I mean the preparation in studying the watchtower, reading the bible, going to the meetings and preaching should make anyone of these witnesses want to take on a debate. But no they tell you to avoid and not to engage in conversation. We just have questions! I have a BA in business and I’m confident in any situation where people ask me questions, they should too.
Reply
 
 
 
 Vidiot says:

 June 11, 2016 at 7:49 am
 
“…There eventually came a tipping point, and I decided to rely on on the evidence…”
Hoo boy, that takes me back.
Reply
 
 
 MamaJane says:

 June 11, 2016 at 8:17 am
 
I was around for the 1974 – 2006 district conventions. Back in the 70’s I was a kid. I remember being frightened to death at some of the talks. Especially the ones just before the doomed date of 1975. Around 2000, I just became numb to the monotone voices at at the meetings and assemblies. I left for good about 5 years ago. I couldn’t take it anymore. I had doubts and I was labeled apostate because (they) couldn’t answer my questions. Nice, huh? So, I did the unthinkable…. I researched and read a real Bible!!! Got my answers! I knew then, in my heart, it was a cult. I pray that my mate and family wakes up to the madness.
Reply
 
 
 Twmack says:

 June 11, 2016 at 9:40 am
 
The sign, (Now removed) from the NY HQ building,
 inviting everyone to “Read Gods Word Daily” was
 mis-leading, even deceitful, it’s not what they want
 you to do.
What should have been displayed there on that building,
 is this statement from a 2011 KM.—
Does ‘the faithful and discreet slave’ [Watchtower organization] endorse independent groups of Witnesses who meet together to engage in Scriptural research or debate?—Matt. 24:45, 47. No, it does not. K,M, Sept, 2011 p
Independent Bible study quickly exposes them, and their wrong
 understanding and application of scriptures. It’s what led to several
 at bethel HQ being disfellowshipped in the 70s , including
 former Gov,Body member, Ray Franz.
One of the things that these ones exposed, was the fallacy that
 there are two classes of Christians, they realised that,
“ALL who are led by Gods spirit are the children of God” Ro,8/14
What also became plain to them was that, “Christians are saved
 by Grace not by Works” . Eph 2: 8-9, this is one thing they do not
 want you to meditate upon. They want you to go on filling in those
 FS Reports and keep doing more and more. And never doubt them.
Reply
 
 
 Kat says:

 June 11, 2016 at 12:11 pm
 
If one has doubts research it is either founded or not.
Isn’t this what JW expect from those they preach to going around planting doubts into peoples minds about their own beliefs, they expect them to research.
I think many JW have doubts and for many they don’t care about it, others do and follow up on those doubts by research. Are not the GB telling JW to be like the Boreans, and to make sure of all things.
This religion is BS.
Reply
 
 
 Gary says:

 June 11, 2016 at 3:20 pm
 
Love this website.
Well as an old witness take this for a young mind.https://youtu.be/XUW-QkHBr8g
Reply
 
 
 Joseph Rizoli says:

 June 12, 2016 at 11:50 am
 
People need to realize that IF you are a JW or any member of a controlling religious group, that you as a member HAVE to accept the policies they merit out to people in the group they consider apostate or not worthy of the group any more. This poses a serious problem for those who are honest and truthful because those members they expel or not found worthy could have been real Godly honest people. If you take persons like former Gov board member Ray Franz or others like him who have been booted out of the group then you as a JW take corporate responsibility to the actions of the JW hierarchy and YOU as a member have to answer to the Biblical command to NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS. If the group expels someone on FALSE silly charges then YOU share the guilt and as Jesus said, If the blind lead the blind then BOTH fall into the pit. This should not be taken lightly people. This has happened I am sure to many in the JW’s. Certain Elders may have a bone to pick against someone and manipulate things to where that person is put on trial and disfellowship that person when in reality that person has done nothing major as a sin. Corruption follows every group. But the bigger issue is whether you as a child of God want to follow SCRIPTURE or be led by the nose to accept an unrighteous act that goes against the written word of God…
Reply
 
 
 Jerry says:

 June 13, 2016 at 8:16 am
 
I leave alldoubts behind when I think of theTrinity. I was about 12 y.o. when it dawned on me that with Jesus praying to God. God was higher than Jesus. You don’t pray to some one your equal. I never had to consuider the Trinity again.
 I read in the paper about a man having trouble with his 16 y.o. girl. So he took her forearm and held it over a hidh heat gas stove to show her what it would be like forever if she doesn’t change her ways. She wound up in the hospital and he in jail. How could anyone think of God burning people forever?
 Only Jehovah’s Witnesses have the truth on these matters. What a blessing and freedom this gives us!
Reply
 
 
 James Broughton says:

 June 13, 2016 at 8:57 am
 
My Anglican bishop once told me that the opposite of faith is not doubt but certainty. Wise words which have helped me in my ministry.
Reply
 
 
 Free Thinker says:

 June 15, 2016 at 8:19 am
 
Hi guys,
at this week’s mid-week meeting they present this comic-strip-like video animation clip about how to imagine life in the JW.Org-promised “New System”. (The sound track is horrible.) During the subsequent audience commenting session (“What are YOU looking forward to in the NS?”), I really believed I was in Kindergarten or in pre-K: Lion-, tiger- and pandabear-petting – eternally beautiful weather – the best food & drink – swimming & diving in the ocean without any danger of sharks or shellyfish, … – mountain hiking without danger of rockfall… Nothing, not a word about God, Jesus Christ, spiritual things; it is only “ME ME ME, MY pleasure, MY belly, MY hobbies, MY interests…” – there is abolutely no truly grand vision, no true spirituality, no perception of man’s divine affiliation (“Gotteskindschaft” in German). Everything is infantile, shallow, hollow, me-focused on an appalling low level. All these people want to do is living in an eternal Disney Land, an everlasting theme park. Lock them up in a zoo for good – that’s all they need. Panis et circenses.
It appears to me that this thing with highly emotionally charged video clips, like this tear-inducing one about the resurrection (dead sister coming back to life), is becoming a standard in JW.Org-“teaching”, in order to compensate for the hotly longed for but never-arriving “Waiting-for Godot-New World”. Looking at what their “teaching” (spiritual JUNK-food) consists of for the last decade, it is becoming obvious that the JW.Org-CEOs are ever faster running out of “spiritual ammunition”, of “meaty instruction”, in particular since the ominous announcement regarding “simplified teaching” at the occasion of the release of the new NWT in Oct. 2013 (they won’t teach about “prophetic parallels” any longer, but only about “practical lessons based on Bible characters”). All that is done by now – besides blunt cold calling & sales technique training – is an eternally stretched out “My Book with Bible Stories”, with recurring and utterly weird “lessons” to be learned from Abraham, Ruth, Esther, …, based on highly speculative reasonings about “Imagine what Noah/Abraham/Moses/Ruth/Esther/Mary/… MUST HAVE (!) felt …” (“no doubt” – “doubtless” – “surely” – …, all meaning “WE DON’T KNOW”). The “spiritual food” consists of: Cardboard, styrofoam flakes, air-bubble-wrapping foil, sawdust, or outright crank & garbage.
Hence, it appears to me that – in order to come to grips with, and brake this dullness, this utter lack of “meaningful guidance” and “solid instruction”, coupled with the consistent failure of their “The end is coming SOOOOOOOON”-prophecies – they are trying something new, which is those emotionally highly-charged,heart-warming and touching, yet excruciatingly infantile video clips that are obviously supposed to rekindle the faded hopes and yearning of the disillusioned “publisher”-flock. This is a prove of the sheer desperation of JW.Org’s CEOs who don’t know anymore what else to do to keep things going and holding their flocks together. Their lies and erros are now “becoming flesh” and start to raise their ugly heads out of the mud in which the JW.Org could hide them for so long, staring the JW squarely in the face and revealing themselves for what they truly are: Empty, shallow wishful conjecture, childish dreams, invented theories and hypothesises without substance, in essence a bunch of hogwash and deception.
That’s my current stance on that.
Reply
 
 
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← The Friday Column: Jehovah’s Witnesses and Doubts
 
NEWS BULLETIN: JW.ORG Asks: Can a Person Resign From Being One of Jehovah’s Witnesses?
avatar 
Posted on June 11, 2016

resign-jw3
JW.ORG Portrays a Resigning Witness – A man now wearing street clothes

The FAQ section on JW.org has added a new featured post: “Can a Person Resign From Being One of Jehovah’s Witnesses?” In this NEW article dated June 9th 2016, the Watchtower gives their official explanation of how to handle matters when a person no longer wants to be one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
It is, in my opinion, one of the most calculated, misleading and dishonest articles recently released on their website. The level of deliberate deceit on display is both appalling and astonishing.
Follow along with me as I examine this FAQ article section-by-section, explaining in detail how it is both deceptive and misleading!
Lies of Omission
resign-jw1
JW.ORG Asks: Can you Resign?

The FAQ presents itself as answering two questions. The first is:

Can a Person Resign From Being One of Jehovah’s Witnesses?
It clearly targets members of both the public and the media, not rank-and-file Jehovah’s Witnesses (JW’s), and describes what happens when members leave the religion. The actual members of the organization already know what happens when they resign from the faith. For instance, this summer, JW’s are subjected to an extended campaign of shunning training and loyalty indoctrination.
It is vital to keep the following fact in mind. This FAQ is intended for someone who does not know the details about Watchtower’s policies. Therefore, the printed words are just as important as the words omitted or danced around.
The FAQ responds to the question as follows. The first part says:

Yes. A person can resign from our organization in two ways:
By formal request. Either orally or in writing, a person can state his decision that he no longer wants to be known as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
 By action. A person can take an action that places him outside our worldwide brotherhood. (1 Peter 5:9) For example, he might join another religion and make known his intention to remain part of it.—1 John 2:19.
And…what happens next?
What happens when someone does this?
Hello?
FAQ?
What happens?
Silence.
This part of the FAQ says nothing whatsoever about the implications for a person undertaking the above steps. It makes no mention at all of what the penalty would be.
Why is that important?
It’s a deliberate lie of omission.
Wikipedia defines a lie of omission as:

Also known as a continuing misrepresentation, a lie by omission occurs when an important fact is left out in order to foster a misconception. Lying by omission includes failures to correct pre-existing misconceptions.
What important fact has been left out? What misconception might this article deliberately be hoping to instill in a reader?
Well, if you were reading this FAQ with no deeper knowledge of Jehovah’s Witnesses (which is the prime and deliberate audience for a write-up such as this) you might well walk away with the impression that such a person can carry on their life without any real interruption.
You would have no idea that the Witness family and friends of this person were now required to completely shun such an individual. Watchtower even recently went so far as to instruct parents to throw mature children out of the family home should one become disfellowshipped, and to not even answer the phone when they call. Disfellowshipping is an involuntary removal due to perceived “sin”, but Watchtower commands Witnesses to treat disassociated, or resigned ones, ones in an identical manner to disfellowshipped ones. See Watchtower Study edition Feb 2011 article Do You Hate Lawlessness. Below are two relevant paragraphs:

15 Do we share Jesus’ view of those who have become set in their lawless course? We need to give thought to these questions: ‘Would I choose to associate regularly with someone who has been disfellowshipped or who has disassociated himself from the Christian congregation? What if that one is a close relative who no longer lives at home?’ Such a situation can be a real test of our love of righteousness and of our loyalty to God.
18 If you face a similar situation, please remember that Jehovah sympathizes with you. By cutting off contact with the disfellowshipped or disassociated one, you are showing that you hate the attitudes and actions that led to that outcome. However, you are also showing that you love the wrongdoer enough to do what is best for him or her. Your loyalty to Jehovah may increase the likelihood that the disciplined one will repent and return to Jehovah.
Clearly, there is a lie of omission, designed to craft a misleading impression in the minds of the general public, as well as any interested media organizations.
But it gets worse!
The next part of the FAQ contains, not only an attempt to casually hide an embarrassing truth with sleight of hand, but an outright lie.
Misleading or Dissembling Lies
Wikipedia defines a misleading or dissembling lie as:

A misleading statement is one where there is no outright lie, but still retains the purpose of getting someone to believe in an untruth.
The next question in the FAQ is:

What if a person no longer preaches or attends your meetings? Do you view that person as having resigned?
Now, in last years Australian Royal Commission hearings, where the Child Abuse policies of Jehovah’s Witnesses came under devastating scrutiny, this issue arose during the questioning of Governing Body Member Geoffrey Jackson by Senior Council for the Commission Angus Stewart.
It was put to Jackson that if a survivor of child abuse felt so let down by the Organization’s discredited policies (see the full damning report here) that they wished to leave the religion, they had no way of doing so without being shunned by their family. Remember, the two official options for leaving discussed in the FAQ both result in shunning.
What followed was a painful display of Jackson blatantly trying to misdirect the Royal Commission. He implied that someone who wanted to leave could simply stop attending meetings and it would be fine. He gave the impression that they would be viewed as having left or faded, and there would be no shunning.
Angus Stewart, who had clearly done his research into Watchtower’s policies, stood his ground on this point, and using various scenarios he demonstrated that Watchtower viewed a person who simply stopped attending meetings, but did not “disassociate” using the two above methods, as still a Witness, and thus subject to Watchtower’s rules and discipline. If such a person was caught violating any of their vast and controlling web of laws, they would be disfellowshipped or considered disassociated, and then shunned.
Watch the full video footage below and decide for yourself the impression that Jackson is trying to give on this issue prior to being cross-examined by Stewart.


Now, does the FAQ back up what Governing Body member Geoffrey Jackson initially claimed under oath, before he started wriggling under cross-examination? Or does it back up Senior Council for the Royal Commission Angus Stewart?

What if a person no longer preaches or attends your meetings? Do you view that person as having resigned?
In answer to this, this FAQ states (bold is mine)

No, we do not. Resigning, or disassociating oneself, is different from becoming weak in faith.
This FAQ backs Stewart, not the Governing Body member who was giving testimony under oath. Was Jackson mistaken, misdirecting, incompetent or lying?
I will leave that to you.
The FAQ answer continues:

Often, those who for a time slow down or stop in their worship have not abandoned their faith but are suffering from discouragement. Rather than shunning such ones, we try to give them consolation and support. (1 Thessalonians 5:14; Jude 22) If the person wants help, congregation elders take the lead in providing spiritual assistance.—Galatians 6:1; 1 Peter 5:1-3.
Hmm.
Did you spot it?
Reading through quickly, you might have missed it. (bold is mine)

Often, those who for a time slow down or stop in their worship have not abandoned their faith but are suffering from discouragement. Rather than shunning such ones, we try to give them consolation and support. (1 Thessalonians 5:14; Jude 22) If the person wants help, congregation elders take the lead in providing spiritual assistance.—Galatians 6:1; 1 Peter 5:1-3.
See how carefully they slipped that in? You might have missed it if you were just scanning through. Additionally, the context is unclear about how shunning is to be interpreted in this text. If someone told me that Witnesses shun members that leave their faith, and then I came to this FAQ, I could easily interpret that sentence as meaning “we don’t shun such ones.”
Remember, there is no mention in the first part of the FAQ that disassociation involves shunning. A person without any knowledge of Witness doctrine, could come away thinking that there was no shunning for the disassociated ones, and possibly no shunning at all.
Now, there IS a hypertext link on the word “shunning.” This takes you to another FAQ here.
More Lies of Omission and Misdirection
Screenshot 2016-06-11 18.07.58
JW.ORG Addresses Shunning – or do they?

You have to notice the hyperlink and click on it to get this extra detail; the reader has to take additional time and effort to get this information. Even a quick scan of the article may not reveal it. But let’s click on it and examine the second FAQ on shunning.
I am going to reproduce the entire second FAQ on shunning below:

Those who were baptized as Jehovah’s Witnesses but no longer preach to others, perhaps even drifting away from association with fellow believers, are not shunned. In fact, we reach out to them and try to rekindle their spiritual interest.
We do not automatically disfellowship someone who commits a serious sin. If, however, a baptized Witness makes a practice of breaking the Bible’s moral code and does not repent, he or she will be shunned or disfellowshipped. The Bible clearly states: “Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.”—1 Corinthians 5:13.
What of a man who is disfellowshipped but whose wife and children are still Jehovah’s Witnesses? The religious ties he had with his family change, but blood ties remain. The marriage relationship and normal family affections and dealings continue.
Disfellowshipped individuals may attend our religious services. If they wish, they may also receive spiritual counsel from congregation elders. The goal is to help each individual once more to qualify to be one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Disfellowshipped people who reject improper conduct and demonstrate a sincere desire to live by the Bible’s standards are always welcome to become members of the congregation again.
However, the elders are not authorized to coerce or pressure someone to remain as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Each person makes his own choice regarding religion. (Joshua 24:15) We believe that those who worship God must do so willingly, from the heart.—Psalm 110:3; Matthew 22:37.
What’s the first thing you notice? The article on shunning admits that it happens, but only in the context of disfellowshipping.  There is no mention that a disassociated one will be shunned.
Thus, a person, with no prior knowledge of the Witnesses that reads the first FAQ, and follows the reference to the second, will still have no information telling them that a disassociated one will be shunned.
Again, this is a deliberate lie of omission. Watchtower is trying to craft the impression that people are free to leave the religion of their own accord, with no penalty when the exact opposite is true.
What else do you notice? A person reading this will be thinking, “What if a family member is disfellowshipped?”
What scenario does the FAQ present?

What of a man who is disfellowshipped but whose wife and children are still Jehovah’s Witnesses? The religious ties he had with his family change, but blood ties remain. The marriage relationship and normal family affections and dealings continue.
Again, this is a lie of omission, and of misdirection. This scenario only holds true if the father is living at home with his wife or children. If the children grow and leave the family home, or the wife separates from her husband and takes her children with her they are then indeed required to shun him as if he was dead. If children are living outside the home and are disfellowshipped, siblings and parents are required to shun them as if they were dead. And what holds for the disfellowshipped holds for disassociated. By cherry-picking its scenario, and limiting disclosure of information, Watchtower has carefully presented a sanitized version of its shunning policy that simply is not true.
But worst of all is the way that both the first and second FAQ ends; we run crunching into what is nothing less than a barefaced lie.
Barefaced Lies
Wikipedia defines a barefaced lie as

A barefaced (or bald-faced) lie is one that is obviously a lie to those hearing it.
Both FAQ’s end with the following paragraph.

However, the elders are not authorized to coerce or pressure someone to remain as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Each person makes his own choice regarding religion. (Joshua 24:15) We believe that those who worship God must do so willingly, from the heart.—Psalm 110:3; Matthew 22:37.
There is no pressure.
Yes, if the person no longer wishes to remain one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, they will never see their friends or family again.
But there is no pressure, you see.
The elders sit there pointing full loaded shun-guns at the individual, ready to fire if they decide to leave.
But there is no coercion. No pressure. We believe you must serve God willingly. It’s just that if you don’t choose to stay, your family and friends will never be allowed to see you again.
Dear JW.org: I think you need to look up the definition of the words pressure and coercion. I don’t think they mean what you think they mean.

pressure |ˈprɛʃə| noun [ mass noun ] 2 the use of persuasion or intimidation to make someone do something:backbenchers put pressure on the government to provide safeguards | [ count noun ] :  the many pressures on girls to worry about their looks.
coercion |kəʊˈəːʃ(ə)n| noun [ mass noun ] the action or practice of persuading someone to do something by using force or threats: it wasn’t slavery because no coercion was used.
Even Watchtower’s own literature and videos state that a big part of the reason for shunning is to cause such deep emotional trauma to the person who left that they feel obligated to return to the organization.
See, for example, the video (below) that will be played to all of Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide this year. What how the shunned person admits that the emotional pressure from being cut off from her family was part of what brought her back.


Also, notice this paragraph from the June 2013 Study Edition of the Watchtower which explicitly acknowledges that emotional blackmail is a key part of the shunning process.

17 Disfellowshipping is another type of discipline from Jehovah. It protects the congregation from a bad influence and can play a role in the sinner’s recovery. (1 Cor. 5:6, 7, 11) Robert was disfellowshipped for nearly 16 years, during which time his parents and siblings firmly and loyally applied the direction in God’s Word to quit mixing in company with wrongdoers, not even greeting such ones. Robert has been reinstated for some years now and is progressing well spiritually. When asked what moved him to return to Jehovah and His people after such a long time, he replied that the stand that his family took affected him. “Had my family associated with me even a little, say to check up on me, that small dose of association would have satisfied me and likely not allowed my desire for association to be a motivating factor to return to God.”
Or this paragraph from the Feb 2016 Study Edition of the Watchtower magazine, which not only proudly presents such emotional blackmail as a positive thing, but even blames the shunning victim for it.

A conflict of loyalties may arise when a close relative is disfellowshipped. For example, a sister named Anne [1] received a telephone call from her disfellowshipped mother. The mother wanted to visit Anne because she felt pained by her isolation from the family. Anne was deeply distressed by the plea and promised to reply by letter. Before writing, she reviewed Bible principles. (1 Cor. 5:11; 2 John 9-11) Anne wrote and kindly reminded her mother that she had cut herself off from the family by her wrongdoing and unrepentant attitude. “The only way you can relieve your pain is by returning to Jehovah,” Anne wrote.—Jas. 4:8.
So, for Watchtower to blatantly instruct its followers to engage in traumatizing emotional blackmail of those who leave, whilst simultaneously having the gall to state in its FAQ… (bold is mine)

However, the elders are not authorized to coerce or pressure someone to remain as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Each person makes his own choice regarding religion. (Joshua 24:15) We believe that those who worship God must do so willingly, from the heart.—Psalm 110:3; Matthew 22:37.
…is nothing less than a bare-faced lie.
A direct, blatant, calculated lie, and one that anyone with any knowledge of its doctrines and teachings can easily spot it as such.
I cannot recall the last time I saw posted on their website such a blatant, disgusting and calculated attempt to mislead the general public and the media as to its practice of disassociation, and its use of shunning to place coercion upon those who leave.
The Governing Body should be ashamed.
I call upon Watchtower to either amend the FAQ to reflect the reality of their polices, or to remove the FAQ altogether.
One last point: If shunning is Scriptural and the Governing Body is so proud to carry out God’s perceived command, why are they so desperate to lie about it and hide it from the public?
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← The Friday Column: Jehovah’s Witnesses and Doubts
 
128 Responses to NEWS BULLETIN: JW.ORG Asks: Can a Person Resign From Being One of Jehovah’s Witnesses?

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 Imgonaburn says:

 June 11, 2016 at 2:10 pm
 
After not attending meetings for over a year I went to pick up my husband when he got off the cong coach after attending convention. About 30 bros and sis got off the coach and only one of them said hello to me!! Another occasion my husband and I were invited to the evening celebration of a jw wedding. The groom was employed by my husband. I sat alone all night. Only 2 people sat and chatted to me the rest avoided eye contact and some even ignored me when I tried to make conversation with them. Says it all really…
Reply
 
 Imgonaburn says:

 June 11, 2016 at 4:28 pm
 
Btw…I’m not disfellowshipped. I haven’t had a judicial or been in trouble particularly. I just stopped going to meetings.
Reply
 
 Will says:

 June 11, 2016 at 5:54 pm
 
I’m not disfellowshipped or disassociated, but I stopped attended meetings about 2 years ago. Anyway, my wife was invited to a witness wedding and I wasn’t. Because we are married and the bride knows me well, I feel I should have been invited. My wife made a lame excuse saying that she probably felt I would have said no. I told my wife that I should make that decision and not her. Also, my wife should have approached the bride and asked if I could come. My wife, I feel, should have asked me how it would make me feel going to a wedding without her husband. I didn’t say anything about that, but she should either have asked me or not gone. Also, I’ve been wearing a beard for a while now, so maybe the bride didn’t want me there because of it, in addition to not attending meetings. FYI— my wife has been invited to all my “worldly” coworkers’ weddings, even the lesbian wedding. “Worldly” people have more sense.
Reply
 
 Dwc says:

 June 11, 2016 at 7:35 pm
 
There is new direction on beards in the sept watchtower: article entitled “does your style of dress glorify Jehovah”
Paragraph 17. It seems I cannot copy the paragraph but it says that if it is culturally acceptable as long as it is clean and well kept it would not be an issue.
Reply
 
 fallingangel75 says:

 June 12, 2016 at 2:09 am
 
Regarding beards: is anyone else especially annoyed by the fact that beards were viewed as a sign someone was weak or rebellious for so long?
And now they’re just like: yeah. No biggie.*
You could certainly wear one, but don’t expect to have ANY privileges or advance.
I was always told that refusal to shave, when everyone else did, was evidence of having the wrong attitude – an unnecessarily haughty and independent spirit.
This always seemed like it was going far beyond the scope and spirit and intent of the scriptures.
And it really just boiled down to more man made rules.
I’m a woman. I don’t have to shave, but this always stuck in my craw. From early childhood.
Because as a child, I paid lots of attention to the pictures – many of which showed Jesus with a beard.
Obvious question: why are Jesus and his apostles frequently depicted with full beards, but when a brother wants to grow one, it’s not ok?
Yes, dress and grooming was different, but not the biology that makes you grow hair!
Daily.
And it was the same,’you can, but you shouldn’t’ nonsense/bs.
All still without a good reason why or why not.
Even as a child I knew that THEY knew the rule was completely unsupported by the scriptures.
Even in principle to say that beards are always associated with undesirables.
Who? Who thinks that?
It would stumble people in our ministry.
Really? More than knocking on their door too early in the morning on the one day they get to sleep in?
Yes. It would be the beard they would focus on.
Beards ARE sometimes unkempt, and sometimes outrageous to the point they are distracting.
So are hairstyles and clothes. Stop wearing those as well?
The logic behind the blanket ban was always so faulty.
Yet another one of those questions no one could ever give me a satisfying answer to.
I never believed Jehovah was against beards. And I never understood why more people didn’t question it.
*Don’t get me wrong. I think they should have made the correction/adjustment. The part that annoys me is that they were stuck on it for so long when it should never have been an issue in the first place.
So typical.

 
 
 Winston Smith says:

 June 12, 2016 at 6:11 am
 
There was actually a similar article that said something to that extent about beards some 10 or so years ago (I’ll have to go back and find the reference). It did little to change the attitude toward them in the local congregations in my area (United States). We will have to see if this one makes any difference.
WS

 
 
 fallingangel75 says:

 June 12, 2016 at 11:04 am
 
Yes, WS, the prejudice against them seems firmly entrenched. Times when we have gone for long stretches without meeting attendance and field service my husband always starts growing a beard, and I love it!
I’m always disappointed when he goes back to shaving.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 alanv says:

 June 11, 2016 at 2:27 pm
 
Obviously as ex JWs we know only too well how the org treats anyone who has left the org and dares to tell others why they left. So now we need to double our efforts and let people know the true situation. Share on forums and tell those we meet, family and friends, even local papers. We need to speak out about it because as has been said the public or media often do not know how things really work in the org.
Reply
 
 Anonymous says:

 June 12, 2016 at 10:34 am
 
@alanv – the official policy versus the practice is sometimes not as “ideal” as Watchtower would like it to be. Families that are strong will observe shunning spiritually–maybe not exchanging comments on religion or differences of religious views–but not socially. Blood will always be blood, but dogma changes.
In fact, some would say the angst some feel over shunning was not their experience–perhaps a mild form of shunning as noted, but generally the same respect and tact given to any stranger on the street.
Plus, as someone noted the stupidity on beard policies, it also seemed stupid that some sheep, or goat, who was “weak” and stumbling was pushed out of the herd, left for the wolves to devour. Even animals will shelter the weak and young of the herd from predators.
And, I keep hearing JW’s excuses, well they only expel persons who refused help or weren’t applying “counsel given” [no professional therapy for a domestic abuser, alcoholic, substance addict, or philanderer?] which is same stale verses and literature quotes yet not solid guidance on assistance overcoming addictions or treatment/diagnoses for mental health issues.
And, adding to stupidity is no avenue for “a dialogue” of questions. Ask a doctrinal question of a local elder and you get quoted literature that you’ve already read, and as the GB and HQ reveals how it reaches doctrinal conclusions, there really isn’t a broad discussion of counterpoints to a final adoption of a doctrine, or in JW parlance “viewpoint”. More than likely it’s because individuals writing the literature, nor those using and distributing the literature, don’t know how to think through and address scriptural challenges and contradictions to an adopted viewpoint.
And, with the increasing adoption of video lectures and presentations with no feedback loop or outlet for asking probing questions, even challenger questions, the group presents itself with a “take it, or leave it” scenario–even if you are raised in it.
Reply
 
 fallingangel75 says:

 June 12, 2016 at 11:33 am
 
@ anonymous, I agree. Part of what finally pushed me out was this approach to reasonable questions.
I’ve asked all manner of questions that were in ‘the Bible doesn’t say’ territory my entire life. And I have always gotten that response.
Read appropriate articles. Pray. Trust in Jehovah and wait on him. And does it affect your ability to serve him faithfully and keep his commands now? No, then ignore it and increase your kingdom service, focus on helping others, not yourself.
But I was fed up for good when no one could give me satisfying answers regarding my husband’s change in hope and my feelings on the matter.
It was exactly as you said, I was repeatedly directed to read the same stale articles I had already researched myself and found no comfort or logic.
How about that?
Even if any of it made sense or rang true and seemed plausible and well-reasoned and practical, I might have tried harder to accept it even if I didn’t like it on a personal level.
But I was instructed to read articles and watch videos and pray. And if I didn’t feel better, I was instructed to keep doing so until I did feel better.
Who remembers the definition of insanity?
Don’t everyone raise your hands all at once!
I really hate the direction the organization is headed, but I still love the people I have always loved.
That part is so hard for me.
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Jerry LaPier says:

 June 11, 2016 at 2:31 pm
 
Dissection of video and shunning to the core..Wow, did you hit everything ( I am going through ) in such detail it removes the pompous cloak of superiority through nobility that WT drapes like a shield of armor over them… sickening really.
 Covert, you are such an asset to the writing department! I hope you are successful in your personal ventures as well.
My Best,
Reply
 
 
 Telescopium says:

 June 11, 2016 at 2:31 pm
 
It’s amazing what the Organization will do to try and save face. Lies, manipulation, coercion…
Didn’t they talk about this in the Revelation book?
Reply
 
 
 Jessica B says:

 June 11, 2016 at 2:49 pm
 
I cannot tell you how much I enjoy these articles. The points are all so well thought out and the perspectives given are spot on. Those along with such clearly exposed tactics have all been major tools to help me truly see what I came from and how it has affected me. I am so grateful to have places like this to remind me of how grateful I am to be free of it and to now have control over my life, my mind, and my heart. It is a gift I am determined not to squander. Keep up the great work.
Reply
 
 
 Cartan says:

 June 11, 2016 at 2:54 pm
 
I would consider this attempt to “explain itself” and make amends with the common public as a small illustration of what web activism and spread of “members only material” (such as the excelent videos and articles with the title “worst convention ever”) can do to this religion. Congratulations to you guys, and see this as a good sign that the GB is becoming afraid!
Reply
 
 
 Eric Arthur Blair says:

 June 11, 2016 at 3:10 pm
 
Excellent analysis CF. I love the point “By cherry-picking its scenario, and limiting disclosure of information, Watchtower has carefully presented a sanitized version of its shunning policy that simply is not true.”
Actually Watchtower presents a santized version of itself in everything they do – especially their history – much like the Ingsoc government from 1984. So much for the candour of the bible writers!
Reply
 
 Dwc says:

 June 11, 2016 at 7:38 pm
 
I’m sorry ingsoc government? I’m unfamiliar with that.
Reply
 
 fallingangel75 says:

 June 12, 2016 at 2:21 am
 
@Dwc. Ingsoc from George Orwell’s novel ‘1984’. The English Socialist party. Recommended reading, imo. At the very least an abbreviated summary or Wikipedia reference.
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Felipe Morales says:

 June 11, 2016 at 3:12 pm
 
Great article! But it could be even greater on the eyes of a pedant. You need to do some editing. Have someone else read it and discover the minor errors.
Reply
 
 Jeffreycanning says:

 June 11, 2016 at 3:32 pm
 
You are right, mistakes stand out to me but I am also guilty of making them. Other day I put on Facebook the word GROWM. As in a growm man… Sent it off without proof reading it. Now my friends probably think I’m a dill. So we need to cut some slack here…
Reply
 
 Felipe Morales says:

 June 11, 2016 at 3:55 pm
 
I rather send a private message pointing out the minor errors, but I don’t have that luxury. And no, I don’t cut any slack regarding great articles. they have to be great in content and form. Undermining the Watchtower is too important!
 By the way, the editors of the Watchtower are good at lying, deceiving and manipulating, but don’t allow errors in form to get through. We have to be at least as good as they are.
Reply
 
 Covert Fade says:

 June 11, 2016 at 4:51 pm
 
Yep, those mistakes are mine. Will correct in the morning. 🙂
Reply
 
 
 Telescopium says:

 June 11, 2016 at 5:56 pm
 
All you guys and your crazy editing skills… Now I’m nervous about commenting!
At least Covert’s article didn’t contain any lies, coverups, or half-truths. Doesn’t that alone make his message superior?
Reply
 
 Fritz says:

 June 12, 2016 at 3:50 am
 
I agree with the post. It is not an attack on an excellently-written article. The fewer the typos, the better. (Online comments are given great license – professional articles are generally not accorded that license.)

 
 
 Adrian says:

 June 12, 2016 at 11:27 am
 
Did you miss Covert’s cover up?
 Isn’t the omission of his real name a cover up as well? How is it possible to take someone seriously when they don’t practice what they preach?

 
 
 Telescopium says:

 June 13, 2016 at 4:04 pm
 
Adrian,
 Perhaps revealing his real name would result in harm to his family relationships or reputation… In that case you can understand why he (and every masked superhero) would be loath to reveal his true identity.
Also, I’m not sure that this is a cover-up type scenario.

 
 
 
 Tara says:

 June 11, 2016 at 6:15 pm
 
Er you might want to check this out Felipe…
http://jwsurvey.org/cedars-blog/error-found-in-new-silver-sword-revised-new-world-translation
Former Witnesses have found an error in the new Bible, ironically in the book of Numbers. The header to page 267 shows the page numbers going down from Numbers chapter 35 to Numbers chapter 33. The header should instead read “Numbers 32:37-33:22.” At the time of writing, this typo is also in the PDF version.
Reply
 
 
 Janis says:

 June 11, 2016 at 9:00 pm
 
Felipe…. I can’t believe you didn’t start your sentence with a capital T. It should be: They have to be great.. Also would it not be more correct to say ” I would rather “
Reply
 
 
 Holy Connoli says:

 June 12, 2016 at 4:35 am
 
@Felipe: THE WT has dozens of FREE WORKERS to Edit articles over and over again. They have the $$ and the time to review over and over before sending it out. JW Survey does not have that Luxury. Personally I never noticed the technical errors and I am sure many others did not. I think we need to listen to the message and the point of view CF and others are making.
The articles are approached from a personal experienced point of view which is the best way to approach an article from personal experience. We need to read what the message is and not look for minor grammar errors. We are not “competing” with the WT. We are telling it like it REALLY is.
Reply
 
 Gameisover says:

 June 13, 2016 at 6:21 am
 
I’m beginning to be afraid to write comments if we have Felipe checking us out and correcting every “mistake”. I guess you have not been out very long. I can see the spirit of looking for the straw. Very elder like.

 
 
 
 Zappa-Esque says:

 June 13, 2016 at 10:38 am
 
You neglected to use a capital T for “they have to be great in content and form” …….[just …..proof-reading!]
Reply
 
 
 
 
 
 Oubliette says:

 June 11, 2016 at 3:22 pm
 
The short answer: sure. Anyone can “resign” from being one of Jehovah’s Witnesses at any time and for any reason … and every other JW, friend and family member alike will all shun them, often without even knowing the reason except that is what they are told to do by the Watchtower leaders.
Let’s review: it’s a cult!
Reply
 
 Outandabout says:

 June 11, 2016 at 7:21 pm
 
I love it when you point out it’s a cult, Oubliette. Keep doing that.
 I’m actually very hot under the collar over a blood death near here recently. Let’s not forget that the WT are happy to continue to kill their followers rather than remove the blood ban and risk being sued and exposed as frauds.
Let’s review: the Blood Cult don’t hesitate to kill their followers for money and power.
Reply
 
 
 
 Gary says:

 June 11, 2016 at 3:51 pm
 
Welcome to the real reason
Reply
 
 
 Gary says:

 June 11, 2016 at 3:54 pm
 
They are losing
Reply
 
 
 David says:

 June 11, 2016 at 4:09 pm
 
They are fraud and will sink like the titanic. The scripture below show that they practice what God hates.
Proverbs 6:16-19
There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.
Reply
 
 gary says:

 June 11, 2016 at 4:24 pm
 
they want you to judge, that’s their only freedom x
Reply
 
 
 
 gary says:

 June 11, 2016 at 4:13 pm
 
Heads hands feet, a Song For Suzie
Reply
 
 
 Frankie's Market says:

 June 11, 2016 at 5:11 pm
 
Disappointed, but hardly surprised or shocked in the way that WT.org explains the shunning policy to potential new converts. The thing is, these new convention videos showing the treatment of DF/DA individuals make for a much more powerful statement than printed words and explanations in a FAQ. What’s really surprising about the “Remain Loyal To Jehovah” convention is how candid the Society is being to the public and about the very unpleasant silent treatment you’re going to experience from your friends and loved ones if you decide to leave the organization. Usually, events like the Convention and the Memorial emphasize all the positive sounding themes. But these talks and videos that deal with “Remain loyal to Jehovah…. Or else!!!!” is sure to scare off many interested ones who don’t want to open up the possibility of their own family being torn apart by shunning. In the Society’s effort to cling to the publishers that remain, they are very likely repelling potential new converts in the heavy-handed methods that are being used to coerce loyalty to the organization. What’s ironic is that for years, WT has downplayed or denied the extent of shunning to the public. They have discredited online YouTube messages that talk about shunning as being the product of disgruntled, “mentally diseased” apostates. Yet here they are in 2016, presenting their own video dramatizations to the world of how shunning really works! If WT collapses and the GB are exposed for the frauds they are, they will have been their own worst enemy.
Reply
 
 Big B says:

 June 13, 2016 at 7:42 am
 
@ Frankie’s Market
The irony doesn’t stop at the Convention with them chasing off possible converts. How about them asking for brothers specializing in law to help them out a few months ago?
The only possible attorneys in the organization will be those that came in with the credentials in hand before being baptized. Of course, due to their ridiculous stand against witnesses furthering their education the Governing Body opted for getting minimum wage, dead end jobs, so as to push a career in pioneering. As a result the Governing Body is now reaping the consequences of that policy.
As you said they have been and will continue to be their own worst enemy. The Watchtower will eventually implode and collapse on itself. It’s just a matter of time.
Reply
 
 
 
 Josie Whale says:

 June 11, 2016 at 6:54 pm
 
gEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZ!
Reply
 
 
 Steve McRoberts says:

 June 11, 2016 at 7:29 pm
 
If the Watchtower religion was in reality the way it presents itself to the media and outsiders, then taking whole blood transfusions would be “a matter of personal conscience”; people could freely come and go in and out of the religion with no psychological trauma; and there would be no issues regarding their handling of child abuse cases.
In short, there would be no critical need for sites such as this if only they would live up to their imagined image of themselves!
Till that day comes, thanks for keeping up the great work that you do!
Reply
 
 Eric Arthur Blair says:

 June 12, 2016 at 12:20 am
 
A very astute observation Steve. It should be a case of “nothing to see here”, which if they truly were gods organisation you would expect – especially when the ARC shone a light on them – they should have set the benchmark for good practice. It turns out nothing they say can be trusted, from child abuse allegations to lame telly awards; they are a far cry from “the truth” they claim the patent on.
Reply
 
 fallingangel75 says:

 June 12, 2016 at 2:24 am
 
So true EAB.
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Dwc says:

 June 11, 2016 at 7:44 pm
 
Just for the record after day 2 of my last convention… Yesterday during the shun videos they did not mention in any way to shun inactive ones who commit gross sins. Not at all mentioned.
Then today they pleaded with inactive ones and mentioned hey are going to make an effort to recover them.
Seems to me they are back tracking.
Day 2 had a pretty decent video drama as well. They are really pulling on the human emotions and the concept of the new system to keep the masses in line.
My wife knows my feelings and was bawling pleading with me not to leave. I will have to do this in the right way for sure.
Anyways thanks for the update CF.
Reply
 
 Telescopium says:

 June 11, 2016 at 9:45 pm
 
Dwc,
 I’m sorry you have to go through all this without your wife’s support.
Does she let you explain your reasons?
Reply
 
 
 Imgonaburn says:

 June 12, 2016 at 4:29 am
 
Thank you for your comment. I hope the same occurs (re- the shunning of non disfellowshipped ones) at the convention where my family will be attending this summer.
 The thought of what lies ahead is constantly at the back of my mind whilst I’m busy, then at the forefront of my mind whilst I’m trying to relax.
 However, all that conditioning that I received during my 30 year indoctrination programme kicked in whilst I was watching the bunker videos. I even got emotional at the thought of how the bros and sis were just trying to do what they think is right in Jehovah’s eyes and remain loyal. All I could see were the faces of my own loved ones superimposed over the faces of those cringy actors. I had to catch my breath! I was torn between feeling admiration and pity for them. I can see that the emotive message behind this years convention is going to cause some audience members to feel this is ‘the best ever’ convention rather than the worst. For me, that’s probably the most disturbing part of the whole situation.
 My husband was getting ready for the meeting this morning and I must’ve been wearing my ‘relaxing bitch’ face. He asked me what’s wrong n I initially denied that anything was bothering me. He pressed me about it so I said it sometimes pisses me off that he wants to go sit shoulder to shoulder with people, who were once lifelong friends of mine, that think I’m going to die at Armageddon. He replied that ‘I’m the only one that thinks that way’ to be true and that he NEVER thinks about losing me at Armageddon. I suggested that he start thinking about it and to question how he feels about it but I know he won’t. It’s forbidden. He’ll just carry on drinking the Kool Aid and put my fears down to hormones or being silly enough to fill my head with apostate lies off the internet.
 I hope that the shunning talks are presented to my family as only applicable to ones that are disfellowshipped. I’m as fearful of this convention programme as the jws will be of the great tribulation when they see the mind controlling bunker videos.
Reply
 
 fallingangel75 says:

 June 12, 2016 at 11:50 am
 
@Imgonaburn- your husband and mine, cognitive dissonance at it’s finest. My husband does not believe I will die at Armageddon either, but not because he doesn’t feel that I am now in that doomed apostate class, but because he believes that I still have time to turn around and repent before the end comes.
So for now he is choosing to ignore that the flaw is in the belief system itself. Instead he sees the flaw is in me, and I am the only one who is making it hard on myself and him by my staunch refusal to ‘return to Jehovah’.
I’m trying very hard to nudge him often and gently to get him to think and ask questions without pressing so hard that he gets angry and defensive.
It is indeed a very fine line.
Reply
 
 Winston Smith says:

 June 13, 2016 at 6:13 pm
 
There are some good tactics outlined in “Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs” by Steve Hassan. One suggestion offered is: “Rather than discussing the doctrines of a group, I shift the focus to the beliefs of other controlling people or groups. With religious cults, it helps to talk about your spirituality and faith. If you find common ground, it will be easier to talk. Spell out criteria that you can agree on. This takes you a step closer to the goal of helping the person broaden his perspective.”
The book also discusses how to recognize the difference between the cult self and the authentic self and how to make progress based on which you are dealing with.
WS
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Adrian Treloar says:

 June 12, 2016 at 4:41 am
 
@Dwc
 If your wife’s best friends are JWs, and she goes with you she’ll have to start her friendships from scratch. That’s going to be hard on her. Keep being understanding, and hopefully your unconditional love will help her realise how things should be between her and the people who say they love her.
 Good luck and be strong.
Reply
 
 Dwc says:

 June 12, 2016 at 7:16 pm
 
Hey appreciate the comment… Yeah her family is firm in it. I have to do this the right way.
Just a side note day 3 end of the convention. Last video is of the “new system” and everyone who has been in the videos are there and at the very end the father who lost his youngest son is reunited on the beach.
Everyone was crying, heck I was crying! It is powerfully emotional stuff. I feel so angry yet at this point just sad… They are using the hopes and dreams of mostly sincere individuals who love God.
I know a lot here are atheist, agnostic or other. I personally firmly believe in God but not this organization. I have decided to never let these negative things in my life anymore. I am going to choose based on the bible what is true. And I am looking forward to when Jesus will make all things right and do away with all organized religion.
Randy it is good to hear your voice/txt again!
Reply
 
 Imgonaburn says:

 June 13, 2016 at 3:04 am
 
And there you have it! As expected the videos provoke an emotional response so you get warm and fuzzy about the entire programme, forgetting all about any disturbing parts or points that cause you to doubt. Don’t misunderstand me, I’m not attacking you for your response. I’m just highlighting how their methods work. I mentioned in a previous comment about the GB tactic of pulling at heartstrings using as much sensory stimulation as possible.
 They should have shown in the video the billions of non jws getting slaughtered, including the ex jws that have faded or been dfd and not returned to Jehovah before the Arma-deadline! Heck what about people in the public eye that we admire, our favourite actor, musician etc
 How about showing a brother devastated that his wife or son dies in his arms because they ‘looked back’ at the things behind as Lots wife did!
 It’s not balanced!! People inside the religion should be forced to think about what ‘Everlasting Life’ will be like without their loved ones. After all if, as it’s been suggested, people are leaving the organisation in droves, then surely those that remain need to have their resolve to stay strengthened? Is that what just happened at this convention?
 Every single Jehovah’s Witness is going to lose somebody they know or even love at Armageddon…but no, let’s not talk about our losses [says the GB] lets remain positive [lose track of reality] and focus on the blessings of the resurrection hope. Ain’t life grand-albeit without my spouse/child/brother/sister/parent
Wait a minute? What is ‘the message of judgement’ that was mentioned in bunker video? I was so busy thinking about how wonderfully brave the bros and sis are with their bucket loads of loyalty and integrity, I forgot about that part!! Have they gone back to that old chestnut?
 If the gb instruct the rank and file to go out and preach this so called unpalatable message ( Kevin couldn’t stomach it ) then they risk getting jumped on by govt for disseminating hatred. BOOM! Great Tribulation begins. They all get rounded up and excluded from society. We get to live in peace. If I could watch a video depicting THAT I could get warm and fuzzy too! Maybe I should change my keep schtum stance towards my jw family and warn them??
Reply
 
 
 
 
 
 Kat says:

 June 11, 2016 at 9:04 pm
 
once your sucked into the cult only then do you know about shunning, only then will you find out for yourself how hard it is to leave without being treated worse than a criminal child molester.
your day will come GB, lies deceit and manipulation, running scared of losing your charity status?
Reply
 
 
 Grey Tower says:

 June 12, 2016 at 1:04 am
 
Former Jehovah’s Witness here, brought up from birth in that organisation. I was baptised prior to 1985 when the baptismal questions were changed. I voted with my feet in the mid 1970’s and simply disappeared. I had not done anything wrong and I was never disfellowshipped. Back then, nobody needed to hand in their resignation by letter. Back then, there were no rules about shunning Witnesses who simply left.
Regarding the FAQ ‘Can a Person Resign from Being One of Jehovah’s Witnesses?’ the part that says “Rather than shunning such ones,” applies only to those Witnesses who have slowed down, who are discouraged, but who have not “abandoned their faith.” The FAQ fails to say how they treat anyone who resigns, although it is implicit that any Witness whose actions place them outside of the organization (by joining another religion, for example) would be shunned.
The worst thing about all of this is that those Witnesses who resign and who are not guilty of serious sin (such as immorality or smoking) or of wanting to join another religion will still be shunned!
Regarding the FAQ ‘Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Shun Former Members of Their Religion?’ notice how they connect being disfellowshipped with committing “a serious sin.” Well, it now transpires that criticizing the Governing Body and/or denying Watchtower teachings is now “a serious sin”. So any baptised and inactive Witness must now be shunned simply because they no longer go along with the Governing Body and its teachings and demands!
You have to really dig deep to uncover the truth about shunning. The footnote on page 209 of the Jehovah’s Witness publication “Keep Yourselves in God’s Love” under the heading “How to Treat a Disfellowshipped Person” says: “Bible principles on this subject apply equally to those who disassociate themselves from the congregation.”
One reason the organisation refuses to admit that any Witness who resigns will be shunned is to put on a public front of being Christian. The truth is they are guilty of dishonesty and cowardice. The other reason they refuse to admit that people who resign will be shunned is to control and manipulate the members. They don’t want anybody to find out the real reasons why people leave – and it’s not because they have become wicked and immoral! It’s because they have discovered the truth about the organisation and its leaders – that they can no longer go along with the constantly changing “increased light” or the fact that paedophiles in the congregation are not reported to the authorities or that the leaders are demanding unquestioning obedience.
Thank you for exposing the shameful truth about how Jehovah’s Witnesses are being manipulated by the Governing Body in order to keep them loyal to the organization.
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 factsnotfiction says:

 June 12, 2016 at 1:29 am
 
Just wondered if anyone has seen this in the Guardian:
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jun/09/moment-changed-me-quitting-jehovahs-witnesses
Notice what he/she says about being shunned even by best friend.
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 fallingangel75 says:

 June 12, 2016 at 2:40 am
 
An excellent read, and brief. (For those with little time or short attention spans.)
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 Grey Tower says:

 June 12, 2016 at 10:20 am
 
Thanks for that link to the Guardian article. I will be sure to use it on the Yahoo Religion & Spirituality section.
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 fallingangel75 says:

 June 12, 2016 at 2:44 am
 
My thoughts exactly, Grey Tower. Great post!
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 Anders Andersen says:

 June 12, 2016 at 2:26 am
 
Another thing the FAQ conveniently doesn’t mention is all the actions that are seen as disassociatingredients yourself.
According to the elders manual, also accepting a blood transfusion when needed means you have disassociated yourself.
So the FAQ not only leads people to believe you can leave without negative consequences, it is also obscuring the more controversial ideas the Witnesses have on why people should be shunned.
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 Anonymous says:

 June 12, 2016 at 10:52 am
 
This brazen use of “disassociatingredients” is too brazen for me. You are hereby shunned..
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot does that mean–brazen? So, guys and ladies, you can’t have cajones or any “brass balls” to be a JW. (Rutherford would be dismissed by the way, if he weren’t part of the “in” leadership). Subjective and arbitrary, as much as being shunned for gluttony.
Let’s go back to the look for many, many leaders and members–Over-eaters Anonymous candidates, and these are not shunned for gluttony (2 Thess 3:10; Matt 11:19)? It’s glandular! Is eating filling a void? drinking? sex?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBBJzaEoITc
PS: A horrifying terrorist attack in central Florida, USA–caused by religious radicals.
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 rikos says:

 June 12, 2016 at 5:01 am
 
Thank you for exposing the lies of the watchtowers.
 At list there is some one who bring the lies of the watchtower in to light, on this specific subject. The general public and the jehovah witness must be informe for the corruption coverup and the twisted lies of the watchtower.
 Our voice as ex-jehovah witnesses must be extreme lought. we must destroy this organization which deceiving the general public, and special the naive jehovah witnesses.
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 JustMakinObservation says:

 June 12, 2016 at 6:24 am
 
When TC Russel started this cult 100+ years ago,The Watchtower did not anticipate Covert Fade and the rest of the writing department of JW Survey. Keep pressing hard on their tumors of hypocrisy. I m reminded of a scene in The Matrix, where the Merovingian tells Neo and Morpheus and Trinity “ Tell the fortune teller that her time is….up”. Well done guys, press on!
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 Randy Galbraith says:

 June 12, 2016 at 6:38 am
 
Hi Everyone,
This is a brief response without having read all the details.
I left the faith on good terms in Oct of 2007. No action was taken. We openly celebrated Christmas in 2009. My name was announced at the Kingdom Hall in March of 2010 despite the fact that I repeatedly asked them not to use the “short form” wording that would leave audience members with the impression I was disfellowshipped. I would not have minded a longer expression stating that I was an atheist and one that made it clear they were not asking for me to be shunned.
Upon learning from SDB:SSY, the anonymous JW at HQs (the Union Hills congregation Phoenix, AZ, elders would not return my phone calls or or answer my letters), that action had been taken, I wrote him a letter. In the letter I asked:
Please explain how anyone can leave the faith without being labeled “wicked” (1 Corinthians 5:13), short of continuing year-after-year to live by some undefined subset of the rules that govern active members.
That was in 2010, no answer was ever given. I asked SDB:SSY, again, 6 more times — approximately at one year intervals. The key bit, is not that, there is no way to resign — of course there is — as an elder myself I knew exactly what the steps were. The question is can they do so without facing reprisal? Or at what point does the organization feel they no longer can induce others to shun a former member, specifically naming them at the Kingdom Hall, as a form of slander?
Take care everyone,
 -Randy
 ps. One bit of advice I give former members is this: JWs, especially the leadership believe in shunning, but unless you do to, don’t accept it. Don’t assume the average JW will always shun. In real life, it often simply does not work out the way the leaders would desire. When I visit Quesnel, BC, and see JWs I know, I’m friendly with them. When I attend the Kingdom Hall, once per year for the memorial, I’m friendly and conversational. When I approach Witnesses on the street — same thing. Thus many of us in the Ex-JW community do everything we can to maintain normal relations. Of course sad to say, even with this, some very dear family members, make a point of completely shunning me — as we all get older and our lives change. Very sad!
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 fallingangel75 says:

 June 12, 2016 at 10:02 am
 
I agree with many of your points, Randy. In addition what makes me angry is the insidious way the GB ties the directive to shun to your relationship with Jehovah.
If they really called it what it was and admitted that it’s their own man made rule to maintain control, there would be widespread calls for repeal and reform from inside the congregations and far more people would just ignore it in the meantime.
But by continuing to insist that it’s what God wants and what he requires and that it’s helping, even when it offends sensibilities and even when it is spoken against, people who love their friends and family members will equate shunning with loyalty to God and they will do it anyway even though it hurts THEM as well.
Makes me so angry.
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 ruthlee says:

 June 12, 2016 at 8:05 am
 
Well isn’t this just a pack of fabrication. Well done mr covertfade in trying to unravel this very convoluted faq. It seems to me they cannot be honest and actually say what the rules are because as we all know they will haemorrhage new recruits like a cut vein. Also this faq needs unravelling by a legal whizz because us in the know, know but cannot necessarily explain things correctly. It’s amazing how this question is being raised now they surely know we have had enough of their nonsense and we want unconditional fellowship with our families. I am particularly annoyed at the arrogant assumption that I as a fader want to go on a moral rampage and murder spree so my former friends would have to treat me like doggy doo shoe dirt. I just want to fade no longer attend all their functions but maintain my dignity as a human being and please god as I please Surely it would be a loving thing to let me go and not treat me like a killer and all the other freethinking faders out there. I wonder what the gb think they are achieving by this obnoxious stance clearly it is not working because we will fade regardless of the consequences and to hell with their manmade rules. Cheers Ruthlee
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 JudyQExJW says:

 June 12, 2016 at 9:44 am
 
Wonderfully written and investigated article! The org is getting bolder by the day- their overconfidence is mind boggling. Before my husband & I left together coming on 2 years now, a couple in our hall were having obvious problems. He had stopped attending but his wife continued faithfully, encouraged and supported by all to remain strong. Eventually we saw him return, albeit with visible resentment. You see, he had started having doubts and thought about leaving, as some in his family had already done. Only months later did my husband find out through his friend (who found out from a gossipy elder) that the elders had met with this poor man and laid it out clearly- if he didn’t adjust his thinking to get rid of his doubts, they would sanction a scripturally approved divorce for his wife, WHO WANTED TO GET ONE IF HE DIDN’T CHANGE! Are you really telling me there’s no pressure or coercion there? Where is that talked about in the FAQ? Only in the shepherd book, where it ranks spiritual endangerment higher than physical danger. My former best friend, who now shuns me completely, was smacked around by her husband early in their marriage, even while pregnant, but she was just told to try to be a better wife. But elders would sanction a divorce for this other sister, who’s husband obviously loves her (as he came back to meetings) for “spiritual endangerment”. The misalignment of priorities is beyond shocking- your husband can beat you senseless without much intervention but if he starts exercising critical thinking skills, we’ll swoop in to save you from spiritual harm. That broken arm will mend on its own but the potential for a mind to be extricated from bondage to WT, well that’s serious and needs to be prevented at all costs. Articles like this are doing an excellent job pointing out these inconsistencies and outright deceptions. Keep up this wonderful important work!
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 fallingangel75 says:

 June 12, 2016 at 10:17 am
 
@JudyQ – it’s stories like these that convinced me that these cannot be God’s people. How would Jehovah ever require a woman to stay with a man who beats her, but let a woman out of an otherwise loving marriage for lesser reasons of spiritual endangerment? These ridiculous and harmful double standards are clearly not from God!
It enrages me that even victims perpetuate the abuse.
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 fallingangel75 says:

 June 12, 2016 at 10:19 am
 
Misalignment of priorities, indeed!
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 Jakemon75 says:

 June 12, 2016 at 10:42 am
 
Next time I bump into an elder and he makes his pitch to “come on down” for a meeting with idiots to discuss my current “stand” I’ll simply reply “you are not authorized to coerce or pressure me to remain a Jehovah’s Witness” then direct him to the website and let him read it for himself. We all know how that will go.
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 Twmack says:

 June 12, 2016 at 11:25 am
 
They use the name JHVH as a weapon to force submission.
 In the shunning issue they make it a choice of either loyalty
 to JHVH or loyalty to family. You’re cornered, no room to move.
They take un-authorised liberties with that name. The texts
 misapplied to shunning are mainly taken from the Greek
 Scriptures ( New Testament), but there are No Greek
 manuscripts with the (Tetragrammaton) the Hebrew word
 transliterated as YHWH or JHVH .
The name Jehovah simply does not appear in complete form
 in the New Testament. So how can they use that name to
 threaten, people into shunning their own flesh and blood.
Further liberties are taken by adding that name in their NWT
 over 230 times, ( Despite the Bible warning against adding to it)
 If God had wanted his name there could he not have done it
 without their interference ? Would his name not have been
 present in Greek Manuscripts?
Just check out how many times they attach the name Jehovah
 to a threat.
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 Paul says:

 June 12, 2016 at 2:20 pm
 
This article is very timely and 100% on point.
 Watchtower misleads people to join, misleads them through its teachings, and is further trying to mislead the general public via their website FAQ.
 We simple stopped attending meetings a year ago because of changes to teachings that we felt were not scripturally supported. We shared our questions with some close friends. Within 24 hours of sharing those doubts we had an email from one of them insisting that we confirm our belief that the GB were Gods sole channel of communication. When I replied that I still believed in God and his word (and used the Watchtower ploy of not answering the question) I was informed that this person and their family would be shunning us as bad associations. Within a few weeks others were cutting us off, and finally we heard rumours circulating that we were apostates. All without any of these other people (apart from the first couple) asking us what our concerns were. Shunning is real. It hurts. It is a cult method employed to retain a “captive membership” as Angus Stewart described it. Thanks for exposing more Watchtower lies, hypocrisy and deceit.
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 robert paulson says:

 June 12, 2016 at 10:13 pm
 
In the WTBTS submission to the Australian Child abuse royal commission— now on record —
9.372 Moreover, the suggested finding has no connection with preventing or responding to child sexual abuse and, furthermore, appears not to appreciate the difference between disassociation and inactivity. As was explained, if someone decides to no longer associate with Jehovah’s Witnesses that is a personal decision and no disciplinary action is taken against that person.
9.373 For example, Mr Geoffrey Jackson stated: 283 “I thought I made it quite clear I don’t agree with that supposition”. We do not have a “so-called spiritual police force” to chase after ones who no longer want to be Jehovah’s Witnesses.”
9.374 For example, Mr O’Brien stated: 284 “They don’t have to disassociate themselves to stop associating. They don’t lose their spiritual or familial association by being inactive.”
so maybe we have a something to contest legally if people are told to shun us ?
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 fallingangel75 says:

 June 13, 2016 at 4:14 am
 
@ Robert p – part of the problem is still this: JWs are told that when there is a conflict, they must obey God as ruler rather than men. And they are taught that this shunning principle is a command from God.
So even if legal action is pursued and legal precedent is set, the GB would likely encourage regular JWs to continue the practice, even if there were legal consequences.
If there were consequences, it would likely be described as foretold persecution for upholding Jehovah’s high standards.
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 Gary says:

 June 13, 2016 at 6:05 am
 
‘Oh what a tangled web we weave when we practice to deceive’, Sir Walter Scott.
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 Gary says:

 June 13, 2016 at 6:17 am
 
‘Crosses are green crosses are blue your friends didn’t make it through’, Dance on a volcano, Genesis (ironically enough 🙂 )
Leave no one behind, the is brilliant:-)
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 Gary says:

 June 13, 2016 at 6:18 am
 
View
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 Gary says:

 June 13, 2016 at 6:45 am
 
After watching the videos do you do feel like a ‘free person’?
So they’ve come to spy on freedom and say ‘welcome to the home by the sea’.
If your mentality retired, well ‘ding’ Pavlos dog.
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 Gary says:

 June 13, 2016 at 7:04 am
 
One ear doesn’t sound so bad said Beethoven.
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 quietabandon says:

 June 13, 2016 at 8:03 am
 
I recently reached out to my parents after finding out about the convention contents through this site, and (not being able to figure out whether they had had theirs, after searching the JW.org site), simply sent them an email stating that I was aware of recent instruction from the GB that suggests they must shun even non-DS/DA “unrepentant” inactive ones (“faders”), expressing my fear that they would do it, and that it is an unloving practice that would do nothing but cause pain, not a “return”. I said nothing that could be considered apostate apart from iterating (as I have before, since childhood in fact) that shunning is wrong.
My mother called me and said that she and and my dad had discussed it and they weren’t going to do it, but that she considers herself a “flawed Witness” for not being able to bring herself to do it. Thanks for the reassurance, mom.
My dad was much less ambivalent, and said that he would never, ever do it. Turns out they haven’t gone to their convention yet, and my greatest hope is that at least he will hear the vileness coming from the platform and walk out, realizing in that moment that our bond was indeed being weaponized. Mom, however…it’s already halfway operational with her. “Shun-gun” is excellent shorthand, by the way.
Anyway, I encourage scared folks to consider writing a few simple lines to their JW loved ones, if you feel that they’re on the fence and might need a bit of help to put all of this together. I doubt I’ve heard the end of this, but my parents BOTH said that they wouldn’t do it when I expressed my fears. That’s something.
 But, my mother, as always, did parrot the party line:
“Shunning, as you call it…”
 “Mom, it’s called shunning. It’s on the program for the convention, on JW.org.”
 “All right, all right…well, it is scriptural.”
[Silence]
“Anyway, there have been some cases where it’s been appreciated and people have come back.”
[Silence]
“Your dad and I love you and your sister. But you’re going to die!”
 “Mom, we aren’t discussing this.”
 “This is what we believe is the truth!”
 “I know you do.”
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 Big B says:

 June 13, 2016 at 4:37 pm
 
@ quietabandon
Tell your Mom if you get a chance: “All of us have an “expiration date” and will die sooner or later, some sooner than others due to the inherited morbidity of Adamic sin and accidental death.
That being said the chances of dying at Armaggedon are absolutely slim, none and no way. And because the chances are so impossibly small its not worth worrying about. There are more chances of being struck by lightening while being bitten by a great white shark, while performing a hula on a surf board than seeing the Great Tribulation or Armageddon come to fruition.
Refer your loving Mother to the July 15, 2013 study article where they throw “Chuckie” Taze Russell under the bus with his followers and look at the chart (time line) that shows the rapture. Yeah, the marvelous chart showing all of what has to happen before Armageddon comes. (Everyone scream “New Light!”)
I’ll leave this last thought with you feel free to use it or not: If anyone on the earth today thinks that they will live to see any of this time-line fulfilled (more than 100 years in my opinion) before they die then there is a padded room and coats with 60″ sleeves (comes with matching straps and buckles) waiting for their delusional selves.
By my estimation, if this chart is correct (big IF here) the Great Crowd that survives Armageddon is not even born yet!
My Mom and other J.W. relatives who served faithfully for over 60 years watching 1975 come and go have all died; disappointed, discouraged, disillusioned and disgusted (not necessarily in that order). Lives totally wasted and for what? Gathering treasures in heaven that you cannot withdraw or spend? Waiting for the “day of Jehovah” that never comes. How pathetically sad.
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 James Broughton says:

 June 13, 2016 at 8:48 am
 
Brilliant research CF. One of the marks of a cult is control. As Oubliette rightly says, the membership will do precisely what the GB says, even if it means lying.
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 Jaime says:

 June 13, 2016 at 9:07 am
 
Thank you once again for another excellent article. Kind Regards, Jaime
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 Sharon Christensen says:

 June 13, 2016 at 11:56 am
 
Thanx Covert and all at JW Survey for giving us this info. Heck with whether spelling mistakes or sentence structure not quite right…the message is there…that is the main thing…keep up the excellent work! :))
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 WitnessForTheDefense says:

 June 13, 2016 at 3:42 pm
 
I don’t think the shunning message has changed from “the old days” from what I saw in the convention. Inactive Witnesses are still Witnesses and won’t be shunned by decree (personal actions will be what ever they will be) IF the inactive one has not committed an offense meriting a DF.
They are still considered “weak” Witnesses due to their non-participation, but that’s it. In my 40 years as a Witness, I’ve never seen an inactive witness shunned unless said DF-ing behavior came to light. Then, depending on how visible such behavior is by others as a reflection of Witnesses in general, the person would be DF’ed even without his participation in the process.
If the community at large no longer really considers him a Witness, his behavior MAY be overlooked.
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 Randy Galbraith says:

 June 13, 2016 at 6:19 pm
 
Hi WitnessForTheDefense,
My history goes back many years too. Baptized at 16 in 1981 to leaving the faith in 2007 to having my name announced in March of 2010. Generally what you say is true. However, it is important to keep in mind that while Jehovah’s Witnesses provide guidelines to elders, they place no time limit on themselves or specify what actions qualify for the designation of “disassociation by action.” My own case is a good example of this, we openly celebrated Christmas for the 2009 season and have each year since. Yet they took action only against me and not other baptized members of my household. Why?
Although only the elders of the Union Hills congregation could really answer that, to me it was fairly clear. Having served with these brothers as an elder myself, only to resign in 2005, then leave in 2007, they no doubt felt greater disappointment in my choices than that of my family. A rationalization of he is “weak” provides a sort of rationalization that allows on to excuse disappointing behavior. But a presentation of deliberate choice, directly made and not excused raises the sense of righteousness in these men.
But… really feelings of righteousness and indignation is their problem! Just leave me alone is the correct answer, but alas, this takes some beyond-the-faith thinking to get to.
Thus you’ll notice DBA is pursued, even years later, where the former member takes some public action, like openly celebrating Christmas. In one case a former member wrote a self-published book critical of the faith, five years after leaving, and this prompted DBA.
This is why I asked SDB:SSY the question I did. Because the way to avoid DBA is to show a measure of obedience to dogma of the faith year-after-year — to maintain the “weak” status. Well, for many of us, that just isn’t the way we want to live and if we did it would involve hypocrisy. Did I continue to agree with Rutherford’s reasons for nixing Christmas? No! Both him and his 1925 failure is way in the past and is no reason to withhold a normal childhood from my children.
To some it is a small point, but those who are disassociated, either of their own accord or “by action” are not “disfellowshipped.” Yes, obedience members are asked to shun them, but such individuals have not been through the judicial process and judged as lacking repentance and offered the opportunity for appeal. Disassociated individuals also may not be informed when and if an announcement is made.
Kind regards,
 -Randy
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 WitnessForTheDefense says:

 June 13, 2016 at 8:03 pm
 
I appreciate your candid reply. I’ve been DF’ed once and publicly reproved twice. I’m no candidate for any higher position than PFC in Jehovah’s Army…Publisher First Class, although I think my “First Class” rating may be only in my mind. I am apparently not qualified even to carry mics, but I’ve no problem with that.
I see the organization with all it’s warts and fallibilities, but I still think it’s closer to the Bible than any other Bible-based “Christian” religious organization. Not one of them is “perfect”…not one. But this one is closer, in my opinion.
I’m against any “modernization” of strict Biblical principals to conform to the modern age. Homosexuality and any form of sex outside of a heterosexual marriage is still wrong. Shunning for egregious behavior is still right, even for adult family members.
People know the rules when they “check in”…there is NO easy “check out”…you agree with it and enter, or you shouldn’t.
Buy the ticket…take the ride.
I’ve read both sides of the story regarding 607, NGO, etc. and I’m OK with. I don’t expect anywhere even close to “perfection” among the GB. I don’t feel enders on up are appointed by Holy Spirit, but I do feel the Holy Spirit guides (whether those in charge take such guidance) the organization as a whole when looked at from the wide view.
No other “Christian” religion is growing at the rate as the JW’s. We’re small relative to the “big boys”, but we’re growing at a percentage rate faster than they are.
I do not disbelieve any of the JW core teachings and deal with the others in my usual skeptical and jaundiced manner. Even today, I do not adhere to many of their admonitions and really hope Jehovah grades on a curve, or I’m screwed!!
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 Victor says:

 June 14, 2016 at 2:26 am
 
Ah… if you are aware of the all story 607, ngo (while many JWs lost their life for political neutrality) and it’s still ok for you… i don’t know how you can sleep the night.
“No other “Christian” religion is growing at the rate as the JW’s”. Simply, it’s not true. Please, check this linkhttp://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/preach.php
 JWs are decreasing. Last year 260,273 people were baptized but the publishers have increased only 18,560 (Yearbook 2016).
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 WitnessForTheDefense says:

 June 14, 2016 at 11:10 am
 
And yet the average number of active Witnesses grows year after year, going from a bit over 2 mil in 1980 to 8 mil in 2015. The results for this year will, I’m sure, show yet more increase.
Show me a religious hierarchy of the stature of JW’s or greater, culminating in the Roman Catholic Church, that doesn’t have “dirty hands” every so often. Imperfect humans cannot create a perfect organization, even one backed by Jehovah, as was shown in both the Jewish and first century Christian organizations described in the Bible.
I believe the JW’s are “less bad” than any other Bible-based religious organization and follow Bible rules and principles most closely. I discount all religions not based on the Bible and, of course, do not hold with atheists nor agnostics.

 
 
 
 Kl says:

 June 14, 2016 at 11:31 pm
 
1.5 % growth last year. Population growth averages 1.3%. Simply stated, if witnesses would just keep their children in the truth, without bringing in any outsiders, increase would virtually match population growth. Add to that that places like Europe has had virtually no increase for the past 6 years. 0.00001 %, one could argue that per capita there is much less witnesses in Europe compared to 10 years ago. Don’t take my word for it, check the yearbook. If you take the net increase in Europe and you devide that between the numbers of hours preached, assuming that an average publisher reports 10 hours per month, it takes over a 100 years of preaching per convert. If you take into account that 90 % of baptisms, are the children of witnesses, this figure goes up exponentially. Having been born in, these figures match my personal experience. I’ve hardly ever seen anyone come in. I don’t have any strong feelings about this but if you have any objectivity you know there is something wrong with this picture. Fastest growing religion in the world is a phrase out of an eighties watchtower I’m afraid :):):). The increases that are achieved are mostly in third world countries, which is also an alarming statistic. I project that as these statistics get worse in the near future, there is a high probability that they will simply just stop publishing the yearbook.
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 WitnessForTheDefense says:

 June 13, 2016 at 8:11 pm
 
I failed to respond to some of your points. Once you’re baptized, you’re a Witness FOREVER unless DF’ed or DA’ed. Of course, you know that.
If some elder bodies decide to proceed with a DBA years after an “offending act”, it’s on them. They do have the right to do so, however. Your actions could have come about 20 years after you “went dark” and they still could have DBA’d you just because they felt like it. A person’s only recourse would be to move out of the area.
One should know this before “signing on the dotted line”….let the buyer (into this religion) beware. It’s like vary few others.
I’ve been associated with vindictive bodies of elders as well as lenient ones. It comes and goes, just like any other organizational body of overseers.
You just have to ride it out. Personally, I’m not looking for a way out, but I see both sides of the issues.
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 Randy Galbraith says:

 June 13, 2016 at 9:14 pm
 
Hi WitnessForTheDefense,
It is not uncommon for some former Witnesses to hold to the view that the Biblical interpretation of the Witnesses remains the most correct. I’m an atheist yet remain a Bible reader. In January of 2015 I joined the Unitarian Universalists. They’re one of the few faiths that directly accept atheists.
In regards to Christianity I do believe Jehovah’s Witnesses make a fundamental blunder in regards to Jesus. The mistake, I believe, is not picking up on shift in focus between “Jehovah” in the OT and “Jesus” in the NT. The NT authors all focus on Jesus as Son of God, as the Christ. The entire address is towards Jesus. All the evidence we have is they never used the divine name. And everywhere God is mentioned, it is always in relation to Jesus. The 237 times you see “Jehovah” in the NWT NT is an insertion that is not supported by the extent manuscripts we have.
But all this is really neither here nor there. What is important, I believe, is your own search for truth and understanding. Learning to parse material and come to your own conclusions is the important thing. You know Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in Jehovah with all your heart, And do not rely on your own understanding” which of course is fine, unless “Jehovah” becomes a mere euphemism for “trusted, beyond question, religious leaders”
Whether one stays or leaves, may we all find peace.
Take care,
 -Randy
Reply
 
 Winston Smith says:

 June 14, 2016 at 5:06 pm
 
Excellent observation Randy. In fact, as I am sure you are aware, Romans 10:13 can be shown to contextually apply to Jesus, whereas the NWT changes the meaning of the scripture by inserting “Jehovah” in there. One of the many times where they tamper with the scriptures in order to force their own meaning. BTW, I consider myself a deist, and I also remain a bible reader.
WS

 
 
 
 Victor says:

 June 14, 2016 at 2:34 am
 
“Once you’re baptized, you’re a Witness FOREVER unless DF’ed or DA’ed. Of course, you know that.”
Sounds like a cult! Of course, you know that.
Reply
 
 WitnessForTheDefense says:

 June 14, 2016 at 10:47 am
 
I don’t believe the JW’s are a cult any more than I believe the ancient Israelites or the first century Christians were a cult. They were commanded by Jehovah to stand apart from the world in general, the Israelites commanded to wear a blue fringe as a visual sign.
They both were very insular, limiting association with “outsiders” and treating those who left with even further social distance. Both groups were of the opinion that “once in, always in until you were their equivalent of DF’ed or DA’ed.
I believe that is what Jehovah wants of his people today as well. JW’s of today, as were the ancient 2 groups, are not an inclusive bunch. One is either with us or against us.
Everyone can make their own choice in this regard, but not change the consequences of such choice.
Sure, the JW’s are an imperfect organization, but to a certain extent so were the Israelites and first century Christians. So are all modern-day organized religions. Yet, Jehovah commands his people to be in an organized religion and indicates that there is only one such religion that is approved by Him. I believe it is the JW’s since I can see no other that conforms to Biblical standards of living, as “unmodern” and “uninclusive” as many of those standards are seen today.
So, we are not a cult. We are an extremely strict organization that requires anyone to meet certain standards to join and remain, and treats those members who can’t or don’t “keep up” with the same discipline that was meted out to those of Jehovah’s earlier organizations.
At least we don’t stone anybody anymore.

 
 
 Winston Smith says:

 June 14, 2016 at 3:33 pm
 
Witness,
Please check your data with a reputable source like pewresearch.orgs. JW’s are NOT the fastest growing Christian denomination in the world. Baptists are. JWs are increasing at about the same rate as Mormons and Seventh Day Adventists, which is reasonable since all three started around the same time. As for the fastest growing religion overall it is Islam.
WS

 
 
 Winston Smith says:

 June 14, 2016 at 3:39 pm
 
“We are an extremely strict organization that requires anyone to meet certain standards to join and remain…”
Sounds like a cult to me. Call it what you like. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck…
BTW, do your elders know you post on apostate websites? At least we can be reasonably sure they won’t stone you for it.
WS

 
 
 
 
 
 Grey Tower says:

 June 14, 2016 at 1:34 am
 
Witness for the Defense, after 1975 the two baptismal questions were changed. The second question now confirms that the baptismal candidate is now in association with “Jehovah’s spirit-filled organization.” So if you disagree with them and want to leave they claim YOU are the one who is shunning them! Only after 1975 did they say a letter of resignation had to be given to the elders.
What’s changed is the instruction to shun an inactive Witness who has not been disfellowshipped, who has not gone before a judicial committee but who is guilty of “serious sin” – which includes questioning the Governing Body or not agreeing with their teachings.
In other words, once you have said “yes” to that second baptismal question, you will be punished if you want to leave.
It was not always like that. I know because my parents became Witnesses in the late 1930’s and I have access to the society literature that proves how they have changed their view over shunning. Yes, the Witnesses have lots of good things about them, but God forbids his people to turn away (hide or shun) their own flesh and blood (Isaiah 58:7).
Reply
 
 JustMakinObservation says:

 June 14, 2016 at 1:55 pm
 
WitnessFortheDefence!
1-JW’S are a cult.
 2-The Israelites were a nation not a cult or a religion.
-The Israelites never looked at their devotion to their God as a religion,but rather as “their way of life” or culture. Each of the 12 tribes were born into a designated service…eg, the Levites were born to be priests,but a more appropriate term is Kohen which in Hebrew meant administrator. The Dan tribe were judges(protectors) …and so on. Non of them were elected to perform their duties. But as we can see, with JW’S they are voted for or elected into office. Further more, there is no word for hebrew meaning religion. So, the question to you is why are you in a religion and claiming to be following the pattern of the Israelites and early Christians whom, by the way were Hebrews and gentiles(limited invites) who never forgot that Christianity was a Hebrew directive.
 3- From Mathew to Revelation, the bible speaks of Jesus Witnesses not Jehovah’s witnesses. Again, JW’s still got it wrong, yet you claim to be God’s representative on earth.
 4-Examining the book of Revelation 20:12 – 15 seems to me the living and the dead ,great and small will be judged according to their deeds not according to established organizations or religions. So, where did you get the idea that humanity will survive Armageddon only if we converted to Watchtower ORG?
 5-Seems to me the bible speaks of tribes and nations, hebrews and gentiles, I have never come across where is speaks of the JW ORG as mankind’s savior. Silly me, I thought that was Jesus role!!!
on that note, Jehovas Witnesses are a CULT, that can not even be established by scripture.
It is funny how for the first time Jehova introduced himself to Moses, he actually qualified himself to Moses saying” I m the God of Abraham, Isaak and Jacob” Jehova offers a link that Moses could identify with.
 Jesus too, proves his lean-age in Mathew 1 and Luke. Yet, Jehovas witnesses fail to prove to the world that they are sent by God. God qualifies himself and yet JW.ORG fails to establish it’s link to God.
In fact the only link I find in the scriptures that establishes JW.ORG is at 1jon4:1-5 2jon1:7-10
 these 2 texts describe a group of people who go around teaching that Jesus did not come in the flash but came invisibly, and was not seen(1914). If you examine verses 10, a warning is given “do not let these people into your house” . In fact these text establish JW’S AS THE ANTI-CHRIST and deceivers originating from the world.
So, yes again. JW.ORG is a CULT!!!
Another thing that gets to me about JW’s is how they hide behind imperfection. Heres a question for you DefenceForThewitness, if perfection and imperfection were such a significant factor, how come perfect angels actually turned bad and corrupted humans in Gen 6? Let me answer it for you. Freewill.
 We chose to be good or bad, and the JW ORGANIZATION chooses to do bad, in the name of theocratic warfare. That sounds like cult tactics to me.
Reply
 
 
 Victor says:

 June 15, 2016 at 1:00 am
 
Witness…
“Yet, Jehovah commands his people to be in an organized religion and indicates that there is only one such religion that is approved by Him.”
Where the hell is this command??? In the Revelation the righteous are seen to come from every nation, tribe, people and language, not from a specific place or organization.
Please, think about it…
http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/organization.php
“I believe the JW’s are “less bad” than any other Bible-based religious organization”
“Would you drink a glass of water containing only a drop of poison?”
Watchtower uses this illustration when speak of other religions.
 Why do you apply a different standard to Witnesses?
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Vinitha says:

 June 13, 2016 at 4:26 pm
 
All of us who have been in and out of JWs know how hard it is to get off this organization. Contrary to what the organization claims we are a living proof providing information to people trying to escape JWs mind control and indoctrination. It is scary and delusional in the beginning but understanding the B.I.T.E. model of cults will help you escape JW camp and also lookup to the experience of JW survivors. The activists here are doing wonderful job helping detox the JW indoctrination. Thanks toJWSurvey team.
Reply
 
 

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← The Friday Column: Jehovah’s Witnesses and Doubts
 
NEWS BULLETIN: JW.ORG Asks: Can a Person Resign From Being One of Jehovah’s Witnesses?
avatar 
Posted on June 11, 2016

resign-jw3
JW.ORG Portrays a Resigning Witness – A man now wearing street clothes

The FAQ section on JW.org has added a new featured post: “Can a Person Resign From Being One of Jehovah’s Witnesses?” In this NEW article dated June 9th 2016, the Watchtower gives their official explanation of how to handle matters when a person no longer wants to be one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
It is, in my opinion, one of the most calculated, misleading and dishonest articles recently released on their website. The level of deliberate deceit on display is both appalling and astonishing.
Follow along with me as I examine this FAQ article section-by-section, explaining in detail how it is both deceptive and misleading!
Lies of Omission
resign-jw1
JW.ORG Asks: Can you Resign?

The FAQ presents itself as answering two questions. The first is:

Can a Person Resign From Being One of Jehovah’s Witnesses?
It clearly targets members of both the public and the media, not rank-and-file Jehovah’s Witnesses (JW’s), and describes what happens when members leave the religion. The actual members of the organization already know what happens when they resign from the faith. For instance, this summer, JW’s are subjected to an extended campaign of shunning training and loyalty indoctrination.
It is vital to keep the following fact in mind. This FAQ is intended for someone who does not know the details about Watchtower’s policies. Therefore, the printed words are just as important as the words omitted or danced around.
The FAQ responds to the question as follows. The first part says:

Yes. A person can resign from our organization in two ways:
By formal request. Either orally or in writing, a person can state his decision that he no longer wants to be known as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
 By action. A person can take an action that places him outside our worldwide brotherhood. (1 Peter 5:9) For example, he might join another religion and make known his intention to remain part of it.—1 John 2:19.
And…what happens next?
What happens when someone does this?
Hello?
FAQ?
What happens?
Silence.
This part of the FAQ says nothing whatsoever about the implications for a person undertaking the above steps. It makes no mention at all of what the penalty would be.
Why is that important?
It’s a deliberate lie of omission.
Wikipedia defines a lie of omission as:

Also known as a continuing misrepresentation, a lie by omission occurs when an important fact is left out in order to foster a misconception. Lying by omission includes failures to correct pre-existing misconceptions.
What important fact has been left out? What misconception might this article deliberately be hoping to instill in a reader?
Well, if you were reading this FAQ with no deeper knowledge of Jehovah’s Witnesses (which is the prime and deliberate audience for a write-up such as this) you might well walk away with the impression that such a person can carry on their life without any real interruption.
You would have no idea that the Witness family and friends of this person were now required to completely shun such an individual. Watchtower even recently went so far as to instruct parents to throw mature children out of the family home should one become disfellowshipped, and to not even answer the phone when they call. Disfellowshipping is an involuntary removal due to perceived “sin”, but Watchtower commands Witnesses to treat disassociated, or resigned ones, ones in an identical manner to disfellowshipped ones. See Watchtower Study edition Feb 2011 article Do You Hate Lawlessness. Below are two relevant paragraphs:

15 Do we share Jesus’ view of those who have become set in their lawless course? We need to give thought to these questions: ‘Would I choose to associate regularly with someone who has been disfellowshipped or who has disassociated himself from the Christian congregation? What if that one is a close relative who no longer lives at home?’ Such a situation can be a real test of our love of righteousness and of our loyalty to God.
18 If you face a similar situation, please remember that Jehovah sympathizes with you. By cutting off contact with the disfellowshipped or disassociated one, you are showing that you hate the attitudes and actions that led to that outcome. However, you are also showing that you love the wrongdoer enough to do what is best for him or her. Your loyalty to Jehovah may increase the likelihood that the disciplined one will repent and return to Jehovah.
Clearly, there is a lie of omission, designed to craft a misleading impression in the minds of the general public, as well as any interested media organizations.
But it gets worse!
The next part of the FAQ contains, not only an attempt to casually hide an embarrassing truth with sleight of hand, but an outright lie.
Misleading or Dissembling Lies
Wikipedia defines a misleading or dissembling lie as:

A misleading statement is one where there is no outright lie, but still retains the purpose of getting someone to believe in an untruth.
The next question in the FAQ is:

What if a person no longer preaches or attends your meetings? Do you view that person as having resigned?
Now, in last years Australian Royal Commission hearings, where the Child Abuse policies of Jehovah’s Witnesses came under devastating scrutiny, this issue arose during the questioning of Governing Body Member Geoffrey Jackson by Senior Council for the Commission Angus Stewart.
It was put to Jackson that if a survivor of child abuse felt so let down by the Organization’s discredited policies (see the full damning report here) that they wished to leave the religion, they had no way of doing so without being shunned by their family. Remember, the two official options for leaving discussed in the FAQ both result in shunning.
What followed was a painful display of Jackson blatantly trying to misdirect the Royal Commission. He implied that someone who wanted to leave could simply stop attending meetings and it would be fine. He gave the impression that they would be viewed as having left or faded, and there would be no shunning.
Angus Stewart, who had clearly done his research into Watchtower’s policies, stood his ground on this point, and using various scenarios he demonstrated that Watchtower viewed a person who simply stopped attending meetings, but did not “disassociate” using the two above methods, as still a Witness, and thus subject to Watchtower’s rules and discipline. If such a person was caught violating any of their vast and controlling web of laws, they would be disfellowshipped or considered disassociated, and then shunned.
Watch the full video footage below and decide for yourself the impression that Jackson is trying to give on this issue prior to being cross-examined by Stewart.


Now, does the FAQ back up what Governing Body member Geoffrey Jackson initially claimed under oath, before he started wriggling under cross-examination? Or does it back up Senior Council for the Royal Commission Angus Stewart?

What if a person no longer preaches or attends your meetings? Do you view that person as having resigned?
In answer to this, this FAQ states (bold is mine)

No, we do not. Resigning, or disassociating oneself, is different from becoming weak in faith.
This FAQ backs Stewart, not the Governing Body member who was giving testimony under oath. Was Jackson mistaken, misdirecting, incompetent or lying?
I will leave that to you.
The FAQ answer continues:

Often, those who for a time slow down or stop in their worship have not abandoned their faith but are suffering from discouragement. Rather than shunning such ones, we try to give them consolation and support. (1 Thessalonians 5:14; Jude 22) If the person wants help, congregation elders take the lead in providing spiritual assistance.—Galatians 6:1; 1 Peter 5:1-3.
Hmm.
Did you spot it?
Reading through quickly, you might have missed it. (bold is mine)

Often, those who for a time slow down or stop in their worship have not abandoned their faith but are suffering from discouragement. Rather than shunning such ones, we try to give them consolation and support. (1 Thessalonians 5:14; Jude 22) If the person wants help, congregation elders take the lead in providing spiritual assistance.—Galatians 6:1; 1 Peter 5:1-3.
See how carefully they slipped that in? You might have missed it if you were just scanning through. Additionally, the context is unclear about how shunning is to be interpreted in this text. If someone told me that Witnesses shun members that leave their faith, and then I came to this FAQ, I could easily interpret that sentence as meaning “we don’t shun such ones.”
Remember, there is no mention in the first part of the FAQ that disassociation involves shunning. A person without any knowledge of Witness doctrine, could come away thinking that there was no shunning for the disassociated ones, and possibly no shunning at all.
Now, there IS a hypertext link on the word “shunning.” This takes you to another FAQ here.
More Lies of Omission and Misdirection
Screenshot 2016-06-11 18.07.58
JW.ORG Addresses Shunning – or do they?

You have to notice the hyperlink and click on it to get this extra detail; the reader has to take additional time and effort to get this information. Even a quick scan of the article may not reveal it. But let’s click on it and examine the second FAQ on shunning.
I am going to reproduce the entire second FAQ on shunning below:

Those who were baptized as Jehovah’s Witnesses but no longer preach to others, perhaps even drifting away from association with fellow believers, are not shunned. In fact, we reach out to them and try to rekindle their spiritual interest.
We do not automatically disfellowship someone who commits a serious sin. If, however, a baptized Witness makes a practice of breaking the Bible’s moral code and does not repent, he or she will be shunned or disfellowshipped. The Bible clearly states: “Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.”—1 Corinthians 5:13.
What of a man who is disfellowshipped but whose wife and children are still Jehovah’s Witnesses? The religious ties he had with his family change, but blood ties remain. The marriage relationship and normal family affections and dealings continue.
Disfellowshipped individuals may attend our religious services. If they wish, they may also receive spiritual counsel from congregation elders. The goal is to help each individual once more to qualify to be one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Disfellowshipped people who reject improper conduct and demonstrate a sincere desire to live by the Bible’s standards are always welcome to become members of the congregation again.
However, the elders are not authorized to coerce or pressure someone to remain as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Each person makes his own choice regarding religion. (Joshua 24:15) We believe that those who worship God must do so willingly, from the heart.—Psalm 110:3; Matthew 22:37.
What’s the first thing you notice? The article on shunning admits that it happens, but only in the context of disfellowshipping.  There is no mention that a disassociated one will be shunned.
Thus, a person, with no prior knowledge of the Witnesses that reads the first FAQ, and follows the reference to the second, will still have no information telling them that a disassociated one will be shunned.
Again, this is a deliberate lie of omission. Watchtower is trying to craft the impression that people are free to leave the religion of their own accord, with no penalty when the exact opposite is true.
What else do you notice? A person reading this will be thinking, “What if a family member is disfellowshipped?”
What scenario does the FAQ present?

What of a man who is disfellowshipped but whose wife and children are still Jehovah’s Witnesses? The religious ties he had with his family change, but blood ties remain. The marriage relationship and normal family affections and dealings continue.
Again, this is a lie of omission, and of misdirection. This scenario only holds true if the father is living at home with his wife or children. If the children grow and leave the family home, or the wife separates from her husband and takes her children with her they are then indeed required to shun him as if he was dead. If children are living outside the home and are disfellowshipped, siblings and parents are required to shun them as if they were dead. And what holds for the disfellowshipped holds for disassociated. By cherry-picking its scenario, and limiting disclosure of information, Watchtower has carefully presented a sanitized version of its shunning policy that simply is not true.
But worst of all is the way that both the first and second FAQ ends; we run crunching into what is nothing less than a barefaced lie.
Barefaced Lies
Wikipedia defines a barefaced lie as

A barefaced (or bald-faced) lie is one that is obviously a lie to those hearing it.
Both FAQ’s end with the following paragraph.

However, the elders are not authorized to coerce or pressure someone to remain as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Each person makes his own choice regarding religion. (Joshua 24:15) We believe that those who worship God must do so willingly, from the heart.—Psalm 110:3; Matthew 22:37.
There is no pressure.
Yes, if the person no longer wishes to remain one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, they will never see their friends or family again.
But there is no pressure, you see.
The elders sit there pointing full loaded shun-guns at the individual, ready to fire if they decide to leave.
But there is no coercion. No pressure. We believe you must serve God willingly. It’s just that if you don’t choose to stay, your family and friends will never be allowed to see you again.
Dear JW.org: I think you need to look up the definition of the words pressure and coercion. I don’t think they mean what you think they mean.

pressure |ˈprɛʃə| noun [ mass noun ] 2 the use of persuasion or intimidation to make someone do something:backbenchers put pressure on the government to provide safeguards | [ count noun ] :  the many pressures on girls to worry about their looks.
coercion |kəʊˈəːʃ(ə)n| noun [ mass noun ] the action or practice of persuading someone to do something by using force or threats: it wasn’t slavery because no coercion was used.
Even Watchtower’s own literature and videos state that a big part of the reason for shunning is to cause such deep emotional trauma to the person who left that they feel obligated to return to the organization.
See, for example, the video (below) that will be played to all of Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide this year. What how the shunned person admits that the emotional pressure from being cut off from her family was part of what brought her back.


Also, notice this paragraph from the June 2013 Study Edition of the Watchtower which explicitly acknowledges that emotional blackmail is a key part of the shunning process.

17 Disfellowshipping is another type of discipline from Jehovah. It protects the congregation from a bad influence and can play a role in the sinner’s recovery. (1 Cor. 5:6, 7, 11) Robert was disfellowshipped for nearly 16 years, during which time his parents and siblings firmly and loyally applied the direction in God’s Word to quit mixing in company with wrongdoers, not even greeting such ones. Robert has been reinstated for some years now and is progressing well spiritually. When asked what moved him to return to Jehovah and His people after such a long time, he replied that the stand that his family took affected him. “Had my family associated with me even a little, say to check up on me, that small dose of association would have satisfied me and likely not allowed my desire for association to be a motivating factor to return to God.”
Or this paragraph from the Feb 2016 Study Edition of the Watchtower magazine, which not only proudly presents such emotional blackmail as a positive thing, but even blames the shunning victim for it.

A conflict of loyalties may arise when a close relative is disfellowshipped. For example, a sister named Anne [1] received a telephone call from her disfellowshipped mother. The mother wanted to visit Anne because she felt pained by her isolation from the family. Anne was deeply distressed by the plea and promised to reply by letter. Before writing, she reviewed Bible principles. (1 Cor. 5:11; 2 John 9-11) Anne wrote and kindly reminded her mother that she had cut herself off from the family by her wrongdoing and unrepentant attitude. “The only way you can relieve your pain is by returning to Jehovah,” Anne wrote.—Jas. 4:8.
So, for Watchtower to blatantly instruct its followers to engage in traumatizing emotional blackmail of those who leave, whilst simultaneously having the gall to state in its FAQ… (bold is mine)

However, the elders are not authorized to coerce or pressure someone to remain as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Each person makes his own choice regarding religion. (Joshua 24:15) We believe that those who worship God must do so willingly, from the heart.—Psalm 110:3; Matthew 22:37.
…is nothing less than a bare-faced lie.
A direct, blatant, calculated lie, and one that anyone with any knowledge of its doctrines and teachings can easily spot it as such.
I cannot recall the last time I saw posted on their website such a blatant, disgusting and calculated attempt to mislead the general public and the media as to its practice of disassociation, and its use of shunning to place coercion upon those who leave.
The Governing Body should be ashamed.
I call upon Watchtower to either amend the FAQ to reflect the reality of their polices, or to remove the FAQ altogether.
One last point: If shunning is Scriptural and the Governing Body is so proud to carry out God’s perceived command, why are they so desperate to lie about it and hide it from the public?
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 Christopher says:

 June 13, 2016 at 4:28 pm
 
Well put CF this is a classic cult move to try and mislead a curious public. I really would like to see a expose on this by a major news network, maybe if they finally disclose their list of pedophile cover ups it will happen, It will take something like that to really wake people up.
Reply
 
 
 ligniappe says:

 June 13, 2016 at 9:26 pm
 
Great article CF, most of my family will not shun since my wife and I faded which we are grateful for. I was, as was my wife, baptised pre 1973 and the baptism question simply asked do we dedicate ourselves to Jehovah? Yes, nothing untoward there and the questions are here
 *** Watchtower 1970 May 15 p.309 Your Conscience Toward Jehovah ***
 20 Two questions which do search out the heart and mind of each candidate are: (1) Have you recognized yourself as a sinner and needing salvation from Jehovah God? And have you acknowledged that this salvation proceeds from him and through his ransomer, Christ Jesus? (2) On the basis of this faith in God and in his provision for redemption have you dedicated yourself unreservedly to Jehovah God, to do his will henceforth as that will is revealed to you through Christ Jesus and through God’s Word as his holy spirit makes it plain? Those who answer “yes” audibly to these two questions so that the other persons present may witness their affirmation of dedication may appropriately be baptized.
Had I realised at the time that the questions were subtly changed in 1984, we would have advised our sons and daughters not to go ahead with the questions after that date.
To the best of my knowledge unless people have signed some formal agreement with Watchtower, pre 1984 we are not members of it. We are, as one political leader once described his relationship with christians, as being “a fellow traveller” with them, but not bound by them.
Most, on this site seem to share common views but not subservient to WT.
In addition the phrase “God’s Organisation” is tantamount to a blasphemy. God does not produce wildly imperfect people abusing others through “his organisation.”
Jehovah cannot produce imperfect orgs, it is impossible. That takes a bit of thinking to understand. It involves moral, legal and a scriptural understanding
 If he did, then he would be responsible for what is happening.
 But this org is far removed from HIM, and what they do is on their own heads.
 There is legal principle for my comments but far to lengthy to elaborate here.
 The only other thing that I want to say is that nothing in the scriptures ask for loyalty and obedience to some modern day, man made, creation. That is bad doctrine and thus in my view apostasy on the part of the GB, since they, by Geoff Jackson’s admission on the ARC, edit and approve for doctrine, all published material. Note that Jackson never said the GB does any or even a little of the writing?
Reply
 
 fallingangel75 says:

 June 14, 2016 at 4:03 am
 
Thanks ligniappe! Once again I find your comments spot on! This^^^
This is what I have said to my friends and family who know that I wish to leave, and sadly, none of them are hearing the distinction I am making about God vs the organization.
I am pointing out the same thing and saying ‘if this is God’s organization, and he is turning a blind eye to all that is being done wrong BY THE MEN WHO CLAIM TO BE HIS *ONLY* APPROVED REPRESENTATIVES on earth, then he is responsible.’
And, of all the people who cannot stomach the organization’s lies and deception and abuse, who consequently leave, what? He just set those people up for failure?
Really? What follows logically? That he would demand loyalty to a harmful organization that misrepresents him, or that it is not his ‘spirit-directed’ organization?
I remember the questions used to be different now that it has been pointed out. I remember the change as well, when it happened. I was baptized in the late ’80s.
It just never occurred to me that the organization had already been sanctioning and condoning such terrible things on a global scale even at that time, or that it would become what it is today. Or that we would all still be living in this system 25 years later.
I thought it was God’s organization approved by him and that it would protect us all. You well know that they position themselves as our ‘ark’ of salvation.
And there is the parallel drawn between his modern day people and the nation of Israel. Jehovah always had a chosen people dedicated to his name.
In modern times we are unified, identified, and guided by his organization. It doesn’t seem wrong at first.
It doesn’t seem harmful at first.
Until you see the sheer numbers of abuses carried out under the banner of that organization.
And even when you point to situations that were clearly mishandled where people who are earnestly trying to serve Jehovah are hurt by people who dishonestly claim to be serving Jehovah, I have found that mature ones and elders often claim that you simply don’t know all the details.
Um, really? That elder’s wife came to the Sunday meeting with a black eye and a fat lip with a cut on it.
She didn’t fall. She wasn’t in a car accident.
What else do I need to know?
Is there additional information that would convince me that she earned that beating and that’s why he’s keeping his privileges?
Why was she reproved and he’s untouched? Even if she committed adultery (which I really don’t know, and it’s actually not my business), do we say, yes, that would make any man angry enough to hit a woman – he gets a pass, but she must be punished?
How is that ok? And that’s just a guess. Maybe she just talked back to him and he didn’t like it. I’ll never know.
Over the years, whenever I bring up incidents of injustice, first I am asked if I was there and have firsthand knowledge, so it is implied that I don’t have all the facts, and if I did, I would likely decide the action taken was justified.
Perhaps it is only perceived injustice. Alright, I suppose sometimes domestic violence is ok. What was I thinking?
And in any case it is not my place to question God’s spirit appointed representatives.
And, finally I’ve been encouraged to consider the Hebrew scriptures that contain myriad accounts of Jehovah’s servants doing bad to others who are also Jehovah’s servants – to the point of murder in some examples.
I’m sorry. I find no consolation in that.
Everyone keeps saying that I am blaming Jehovah. I am speaking against him and that I must not turn my back on Jehovah because I have been hurt by men and because I know of others who have.
Jehovah is not responsible, they tell me.
None of them can separate my statements of criticism for the organization. To them loyalty to Jehovah and loyalty to the organization are one and the same, and I am pretty certain that this convention program will only cement that loyalty.
Clearly from the commentary about it, that is what it has been designed to do.
Reply
 
 Winston Smith says:

 June 14, 2016 at 8:10 pm
 
From the JW perspective God is the organization and the Organization is God.
WS
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Marty Doc says:

 June 14, 2016 at 5:43 am
 
Every time I see a JW that I used to know, I always say “Hello” and try to start a conversation, even though they know me and that I’m disassociated almost 2 years now. I try to do this in public with a lot of people about who will see with their own eyes the shunning that takes place. I do this because I still love these people that I’ve known since 18 years old, now 43, and sincerely hope that the ridiculousness of the situation might make them wake up a wee bit……
Reply
 
 M Saurus says:

 June 15, 2016 at 9:18 am
 
I do that too. But it seems that a lot of them see me and run, I guess deep down they know they should speak to me – so they don’t let themselves “run into” me in public. When I see them before they see me, I always say hello – some speak, some don’t.
I don’t do it because I love them – I do it to purposely put them right in the middle of an uncomfortable situation – one that they chose for themselves.
Reply
 
 
 
 Eyes opened says:

 June 14, 2016 at 8:20 am
 
Interesting how the wbts says if a man is disfellowshiped the religious ties with his family change…who says? Christ made him head of his family. If the wife is to obey God rather than men she would want to acknowledge her husband’s authority instead of following 7 imperfect, uninspired men who have no authority. They go where angels fear to tread. What God has yoked together let no man put apart…oops my bad, they think they are equal to God.
Regards
Reply
 
 
 rob says:

 June 14, 2016 at 8:21 am
 
I completely agree that God would never chose an organized corporate religion made up of imperfect men to be His spokesperson on Earth.
In my opinion He doesn’t need any organization to carry out His will.
But it appears that some people need a visual man made organization to direct them, to tell them what they should and shouldn’t do and to give them a hierarchy and to give them power and a feeling of superiority over “worldly people”. Many of the witnesses I knew had kind of checked out of this system of things and everything was just a waiting game for the new system.
In the congregations they are somebodies, they are elders who get to make decisions and to be involved in judicial committees etc. The rank and file witnesses think that they are special, they are chosen by God to be in the new system, they are better than worldly people and they will be saved while everyone else will be destroyed.
In the actual world they are just ordinary everyday people.
But they also need a visual “Board of Directors” that they can idolize and who they are told are special men chosen by God, “the faithful and discreet slave”. The witnesses give these men their complete and utter trust. Why? Because they need to have this visual “god” someone who actually speaks to them and tells them how they should live and interestingly enough, when they are told to shun their children, they listen. They follow. They obey.
It appears to me that for some people to leave the witness religion would mean that they give up their “perceived special status”. They would be outside of that elite club of people that God has chosen to be in the new system.
Shunning their family or following man made rules is of no consequence because in their eyes being part of the social circle of the elite chosen ones is much more important.
Funny that Jesus chose to be with people of every sort and talked to sinners and loved the children and set the example. He did not want any glory or structure.
Reply
 
 Eyes opened says:

 June 14, 2016 at 8:32 am
 
Agreed. Sounds just like the desire for the golden calf.
Reply
 
 
 Winston Smith says:

 June 14, 2016 at 8:20 pm
 
Good points Rob. The R&F are told they are better than everyone in the world – “the desirable things of the nations” so to speak, and they believe it. When in reality they are inferior to the worldly people. Worldly people contribute to society, they engage in scientific research, social work, humanitarian efforts, etc. They don’t just a go around proclaiming a doomsday message, waiting for God to fix everything. You (referring to JWs) think the world is a bad place and has huge problems? Well then get off your asses and do something positive about it. After all if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.
WS
Reply
 
 
 
 Big B says:

 June 14, 2016 at 10:33 am
 
@ rob:
“In the actual world they are just ordinary everyday people”.
Although agreeing 99% with your comments, I can only agree with the above quote to a certain extent. They have the right number of appendages physically, (legs, arms, ears, etc.) but ‘just ordinary everyday people’ not so much.
They look like ordinary people but they are members of a doomsday, take no prisoners, CULT. Their minds are warped, their very lives conditioned to obey their seven dwarf masters in Warwick. “They follow they obey”. Translates into song: “LISTEN, OBEY and be BLESSED” not mentioned is what happens to those who don’t follow that admonition; you are CURSED.
Uneducated for the most part, underpaid in non-professional jobs, inexperienced to what life truly has to offer they are or soon will be discouraged, disgruntled, disappointed, mendicant beggars, purveyors of a belief that isn’t true and that they won’t live to see.
 In other words, “they’re selling but no one is buying.”
Their shunning for disassociation practices is not the “disease” but just the rash that has manifested itself. The disease is a galloping ‘cancer’ that has eaten into the soul of this Orwellian distopia of an organization itself. The disease is HUBRIS, practiced non stop by the seven mental midgets that dare equate itself with God himself. What hubris!
Can anyone not see that God is abandoning this cult to the wolves of world opinion? Since joining the U.N. as a N.G.O. (Non Governmental Organization) for over 10 years, especially heinous after calling Christendom the Whore ‘Babylon the Great’ that supports the ‘Scarlet Colored Wild Beast, now look at what has happened since this revealing.
Child abuse cases (pedophilia) around the world with significant fines and payouts;
 Contributions shriveling up resorting to backdoor tithing;
 Baptisms down; membership leaving in droves; Memorial attendance down while partakers at the Memorial are increasing (over 500 for the past ten years). Overlapping Generations, No Armageddon, no paradise earth and no explanations given.
They are desperately trying to hold their membership in check but are and will fail miserably. The more they squeeze the more they crush the spirit of their flock. They will implode, its just a matter of time.
Reply
 
 Markie says:

 June 14, 2016 at 1:26 pm
 
What a pedantic little post you have there. I would assume you must be highly educated but I would probably be wrong. May be an Associates in Arts degree in Advanced Window Washing? Or maybe you went all the way and got a PHD in Janitorial Services?
Reply
 
 Winston Smith says:

 June 14, 2016 at 8:26 pm
 
Markie,
Keep in mind that you are an anomaly among the JWs in that you did go to college. Your situation is not the norm.
WS
Reply
 
 
 Tara says:

 June 14, 2016 at 9:21 pm
 
I find your comment very offensive Markie. Many of the Witnesses do have cleaning businesses. They work hard for a living so they can support their families. I am on my own and suffered a breakdown because of my ex husband. I could no longer carry on in my field of work which I studied and went to college for. I found I could cope with doing small cleaning jobs. Now I have my own business and work damn hard. Shame on you for your arrogant attitude.
Reply
 
 
 Sarah Mayfield says:

 June 14, 2016 at 11:30 pm
 
@Markie,
Was there really a need to insult this guy like that? He was simply stating his opinion. To be frank, I found his comments to be a helpful contribution as opposed to a spite-filled tongue lashing. Please show more respect.
Reply
 
 
 bi says:

 June 15, 2016 at 7:49 am
 
@ Markie:
How much education I have is not the point Markie and you are wrong. You obviously have a problem. What is it? Have I offended you in anyway? Was I wrong in any of my assessments concerning the W.B.T.S.? If so address my remarks and I will either agree with you or choose to disagree with you.
Ad hominem attacks on me, whom you do not know, shows everyone on this site (by the measure of response to you) that you cannot answer or respond reasonably to my comments or opinions concerning the Watchtower.
Please do not disparage others who have had to make ends meet by taking on any work available (God bless them) including cleaning of homes or offices.
Personally speaking, being involved with this organization since 1957, most if not all of us followed the Watchtower prohibition towards higher education (of which I was one). However, many years latter, I decided to continue my education because time and circumstances allowed me to do so.
My points are clear; the W.T.B.T.S have hobbled their adherents (including myself) by their unwise, unscriptural doctrines and practices. Now they wish to punish those who leave on their own by shunning. So be it.
Oh, if you find my post to be pedantic, you can always skip it and move on.
Reply
 
 
 M Saurus says:

 June 15, 2016 at 9:26 am
 
Markie – with that nasty post and your “holier than thou” attitude, you should stay in the org. You fit right in.
Why don’t you keep your disparaging comments inside your head where they can fester like a boil.
Reply
 
 
 Justin says:

 June 15, 2016 at 2:37 pm
 
~Markie
Rarely do I comment on these posts but your condescending and disrespectful attitude leaves a-lot to be desired.
I’m not sure what your problem is but I suggest you find a better outlet for your venom other than directing it at strangers. Who quite frankly have more educated opinions to offer with this ex-jw community, than you do.
Reply
 
 
 
 John ship says:

 June 14, 2016 at 1:45 pm
 
I agree hopfully you are right about their collapse…the GB are ruuning scared thats for sure .they dont care who is damaged by their flawed policies..
Reply
 
 
 
 Eyes opened says:

 June 14, 2016 at 11:21 am
 
Hi Big B
 I seriously doubt Jehovah was ever with this organization. At one time I felt they were trying harder to follow the scriptures. But if we look further back than 10 years, back to the1930’s, Rutherford was trying to crawl into bed with Hitler. There is no doubt Rutherford was committing spiritual adultery. In the ’90’s (95/98) an Awake magazine addressed the letter Rutherford wrote Hitler and admitted that persecution increased after that. The letter is printed in the 1934 yearbook. Pretty interesting.
Regards
Reply
 
 Big B says:

 June 14, 2016 at 11:53 am
 
@ Eyes opened:
I concur. To think that Jehovah God would have appointed this or any other group of Millerites to be his “faithful and discrete slave” is ludicrous in the extreme. Notice that even the WTBTS has discredited their founder and his followers in the Watchtower study article of July 15, 2013.
It’s only in 1919 when Jehovah chose this as His Organization after J.F. Rutherford ignored the written will of C.T. Russell in what amounts to a hostile take over. Can you imagine an all knowing God backing an organization run by a drunken bully? Although, having no trouble sending others door to door in an effort to warn the world about the impending doom of Armageddon, did not himself knock on one door.
A glance at the doctrines of the Watchtower during this period of Russell and Rutherford are certainly noteworthy and have absolutely no credit among serious Bible scholars but amount to charlatanism at worst and delusional fantasy at best.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Franklin_Rutherford
http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/hitler-nazi.php
Reply
 
 Holy Connoli says:

 June 14, 2016 at 1:14 pm
 
Big B? How do we know that Rutherford never went door-door? I doubt that he did but how do we know it?
Reply
 
 Big B says:

 June 15, 2016 at 8:36 am
 
@ Holy Connoli;
This is what I was able to find for you and others that are interested.
As a narcissist, he was a man who considered himself “above his OWN law” when he told people they could only gain salvation by preaching from door to door when he never did it himself as leader of the WTS.
https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/154191/rutherford-exposed-story-berta-bonnie-redux?size=10&page=1
Although mentioned on this post, I believe this information can be found in one of Raymond Franz books according to Wikipedia.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Franklin_Rutherford
Former Jehovah’s Witness and former Governing Body member Raymond Franz claimed there was no evidence Rutherford engaged in door-to-door ministry despite his assertion that it was a requirement and sacred duty of all Witnesses. Franz claimed to have heard Rutherford’s associates say his responsibilities as president “do not permit his engaging in this activity”.[197]
[197] Raymond Franz, In Search of Christian Freedom, Commentary Press, 2007, pp. 191–192
Now if you wish to say that J.F. Rutherford went to every door “in spirit” while having the Witness play his message on portable phonographs, then all bets are off. 🙂
Reply
 
 
 
 
 
 Urim says:

 June 14, 2016 at 11:50 am
 
I really think these two articles can be very helpfull. They show even to publishers that is not aware of the details about the shunning rules that the organization is not honest about what they tell about themselves. I’m planning to use these two articles to make people that I love to meditate before the Convention. The good thing also is that is all current and oficial information. It will not raise any awareness about apostasy. Thank you watchtower.
Reply
 
 
 Harry Cadanza says:

 June 14, 2016 at 3:49 pm
 
I think I am being shunned in a different kind of a way by my JW family. They disapprove of me because I live with my brother who acts very paranoid because he has dementia. My JW family got tired of hearing me talk about my problems so they sent me a text message stating that as a family they came to a consensus that I am only to talk about spiritual things. I’m only permitted to talk about things I read in the JW literature or from their jw.org website or from talks I may hear during the meetings or during the assemblies. I’m not permitted to talk about anything else. This has been going on for a year and three months now. We are strangers now. The wierd thing is I feel really, really good. I’m free. I love it. They did me a huge favor. That religion made me feel like I was going insane. I’m glad I’m out. I’m trying to say the way they treated me made it easy to break free. I really am happier now.
Reply
 
 Sarah says:

 June 15, 2016 at 11:09 am
 
I am so sorry, Harry, and hope that you have some help with your brother. I can’t believe your family’s attitude is really Christian. Do they not help you with the problems? What happened to being patient and kind?
 Take care.
Reply
 
 Harry Cadanza says:

 June 15, 2016 at 4:42 pm
 
Thank you very much Sarah, I remember around the same time they told me to only talk about spiritual things that come from the society another thing happened. I remember my niece told me she used to go out in service regularly with a sister who had personal problems. Later my niece refused to work with her. One morning they were in a van as a group working together in field service. Another sister told the girl who had the personal problems why my niece refused to work with her. When they returned from the door after they got back into the van the sister with the personal problems started crying. She was sobbing. Her fealings were hurt. They had my niece sit at the front of the van because she didn’t want to work with the sister who had the personal problems. While the sister was at a door with her new partner the partner told her my niece didn’t want to work with her. Are all Jehovah’s Witnesses this skin deep and shallow?
Reply
 
 
 
 
 Doc Obvious says:

 June 15, 2016 at 7:51 am
 
All I have to say is that we should leave Watchtower’s donations in Jehovah’s hands. True Christians have faith that Jehovah will provide. Throw this type of philosophy back. Watchtower does not have that type of faith in Jehovah’s providing power. They do not believe that Jehovah can have it rain United States Dollars or Euros on the Watchtower.
Reply
 
 
 Sarah says:

 June 15, 2016 at 11:16 am
 
I’ve given some thought to the posts and now realise that you cannot divorce or leave someone simply because you think your spirituality is at risk. How can it be? If your spouse has a different point of view, so what? If your faith is so weak that you cannot withstand some other point of view then it’s not faith at all. I can find no scripture which would condone such a divorce.
An elderly man, a JW I knew years ago, had quite a difficult wife. She would hide his clothes on meeting nights and fail to make his dinner on time. That elderly man didn’t leave his wife and never complained. That sort of endurance has gone.
If your spouse hits you, don’t stay, but don’t leave because he/she doesn’t agree with your ideas.
Reply
 
 
 rob says:

 June 15, 2016 at 1:36 pm
 
I understand what the Bible says that households would be divided because of differing religious views and that sits ok with me because in many circumstances individuals can be divided on their opinions on many topics, and still be cordial towards one another and still stay together as a family.
What the Bible does not say is that a religion would destroy a family.
I have seen many witness families destroyed because of shunning, or one spouse leaving another just because the other spouse is no longer a witness and children abandoned and thrown away because they are no longer witnesses.
Divided is much much different than destroyed.
Reply
 
 
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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?
Reply
 
 
 Alone in MD says:

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

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

 May 28, 2016 at 4:14 am
 
Your professional presentation and factually is greatly appreciated. Thanks for your fine effort and tirelessness.
Reply
 
 
 Paul says:

 June 5, 2016 at 12:36 am
 
Bravo
Reply
 
 
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NEWS BULLETIN: JW.ORG Asks: Can a Person Resign From Being One of Jehovah’s Witnesses?
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Posted on June 11, 2016

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The FAQ section on JW.org has added a new featured post: “Can a Person Resign From Being One of Jehovah’s Witnesses?” In this NEW article dated June 9th 2016, the Watchtower gives their official explanation of how to handle matters … Continue reading →

129 Comments
 
The Friday Column: Jehovah’s Witnesses and Doubts
Posted on June 10, 2016

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Like myself, my wife was raised a Jehovah’s Witness and has always loved reading. When she was around 7 years old, she was reading through a science book and came across a chart detailing the evolution of the horse through … Continue reading →

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The Worst Convention Ever – Part 3: Sergei’s Story
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Posted on June 7, 2016

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“The way of the truth is the best way of living.” So begins Kingdom Song 64, “Make the Truth Your Own.” This mantra is one with which Jehovah’s Witnesses are very familiar. In fact, it’s quite common to hear the mantra … Continue reading →

132 Comments
 
The Worst Convention Ever – Part 2: The Bunker
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Posted on June 4, 2016

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By now, you may have already seen what have become known as the “Bunker” videos shown during the 2016 Regional convention. The films are centred around a small group of Witnesses huddled in a basement converted into a makeshift bunker, … Continue reading →

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The Friday Column: What it means to be a Jehovah’s Witness
Posted on June 2, 2016

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There’s been a lot of buzz lately surrounding the new video release from JW.org featuring the characters “Caleb and Sophia.” The video series is called “Be Jehovah’s Friend” and aims to indoctrinate children into the Witness religion. Watchtower has obviously watched … Continue reading →

51 Comments
 
The Worst Convention Ever – Part 1: Shunning
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Posted on June 2, 2016

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This summer millions of Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide will flock to their regional conventions, a much-anticipated event in the JW calendar. Local newspapers are already lining up to write articles lauding the influx of Witnesses at sports venues and convention centers. … Continue reading →

119 Comments
 
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 →

257 Comments
 
The Friday Column: No Girls Allowed – Growing up as a Female Jehovah’s Witness
Posted on May 27, 2016

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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 →

105 Comments
 
Update: JW Survey needs YOU!
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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 →

69 Comments
 
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 →

126 Comments
 
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 →

29 Comments
 
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 →

58 Comments
 
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 →

174 Comments
 
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