speak-out2Oftentimes, when speaking to friends and acquaintances I am asked, “Why? Why do you care what the Witnesses do? Why do you bother writing articles or helping the ex-JW movement? Why not just move on and forget it all?”

I’m sure some of you reading this have similar questions.

To the casual observer, the Jehovah’s Witnesses are at best a group of nice people, and at worst a bunch of interrupting doorknockers with a doomsday message. The average person would not classify Watchtower as harmful. However, that’s simply not the case. And this is why I speak out.

I speak out because families are being torn apart by Watchtower’s cruel and unjust shunning policy

A person who decides to leave the organization must do so knowing they will lose friends and even blood relatives due to the Watchtower policy on avoiding those who reject their teachings. I personally have a sister I haven’t seen in thirteen years. We grew up inseparably, and now we are strangers. She has never met my daughter, and unless she too decides to leave, I will never meet her children.

My parents are lost to Watchtower’s demands, and I honestly have no hope of recovering that relationship. I am being shunned. It’s not fair and it hurts. So, I speak out.

I speak out because women and children are being held as victims by the misogynistic teachings at the Kingdom Hall

Pedophilia and domestic violence are swept under the rug at an alarming rate all across the world. The men in charge would rather keep the Watchtower brand name clean than admit a problem with abuse, and change policies that hurt vulnerable ones.

Unless there are two witnesses to the act, a child who is molested has no hope of recourse if the accused abuser denies his or her claim.

A woman who is beaten by her husband cannot leave him and remain in good standing within the organization. The only counsel given is for her to “be a better wife.”

I was that wife. I know how it feels. So, I speak out.

I speak out because countless innocent people have lost their lives because of a skewed interpretation of a biblical verse on eating blood

People are literally dying by refusing blood transfusions.

The lives of countless men, women, children, and even babies are seen as less important than following the edicts of the governing body. I hate seeing this senseless loss of life. It hurts me to see these victims of foolishness be lost. So, I speak out.

I speak out because children and young people, many of whom know no other way of life, are being denied access to a quality education

Homeschooling among Witnesses is encouraged—essentially cutting children off from the outside world. They are told that college and university learning is sinful, that reading anything outside of the information Watchtower provides is a path to destruction, that making an informed decision by looking at all sources on a topic could make you guilty of a crime known as apostasy.

I was the child who was too afraid to ask questions. As an adult, I can see how many opportunities I’ve missed in life by not pursuing education. I struggle now trying to complete a degree and raise a child at the same time. So, I speak out.

I speak out for those still inside who are suffering.
I speak out for those who have been lost or who have lost ones to these policies.
I speak out for those too weak to share their stories.
I speak out to show support to others who are trying to help.
I speak out to inform the public and hopefully keep more people from being hurt.

 

jeni-signature4

280 thoughts on “The Friday Column: Why Speak Out?

  • November 3, 2015 at 6:38 am
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    @MC Hanner, like Idontknowwhattodo says, I also wonder why you are here? If you are a Witness, you are now allowed to visit web sites like this. You are going against Watchtower rules.

    I would like to address some of your complaints about this article. You said that Jenni said that the “Society” encourages home schooling but what she actually said was that in the Witness community, home schooling is encouraged.

    I have been in the “truth” since 1964, so I also know what I am talking about and I know that this is true, because two of my three children were home schooled for high school and I know many children of Witnesses who are home schooled from early until through high school. You were not telling the truth when you accused her of lying about the home schooling bit. The rest is true about the Society’s discouragement about schooling past high school though. That you can’t dispute because we all know better. Most of us commenting here have a long history with the Watchtower so you can’t fool us. We also know what we are talking about.

    We all know that if a mate is abusive, that the abused mate has the “right” to leave but what Jenni said was that she will not be in good standing if she leaves him. She never said that you can’t leave.

    I personally know of three sisters who left their abusive mates and since these women are not allowed to spread the “gossip” about their abuse, nobody in the congregation knows why they left and so because they left and nobody knows why, they will be treated very differently.

    Since they are not allowed to tell anybody about the abuse, they can’t have any close friendships because a “friend” would want to know what happened and she has to keep her mouth closed so as to protect the reputation of the abusive mate.

    So, the person that leaves, will be treated very differently and most likely everyone will stay away from them socially. In other words, they will be left alone and friendless. Say, that woman decides she doesn’t want to be alone anymore and gets married, she will be disfellowshipped for adultery. Do you think that is the way to treat an abuse victim? Obviously you do.

    If that is the kind of religion you want to be in, then be in it. Nobody is going to object but don’t come off here as super righteous and accuse jwsurvey of lying by misquoting what the articles say.

    You have commented on here before about blood. I recognize you comparing blood to poop and spit. We made comments about that before and you should go back and review what we all had to say about that.

    Besides being ignorant about what the Bible really says about blood, you are being selfish by saying that just because YOU have seen children die from not having blood, you seem to think that it’s not okay for any child to have the opportunity to live from taking it by the way YOU interpret the Bible.

    Since when do you have the right to decide whether all children have the right to live or die because you have personally seen children that died when they did take blood? Can you name those children and why should we all care about what you think?

    If you think that the Watchtower is the organization that Jehovah God is speaking through to determine if it is okay to take blood, can you give us any evidence that that is true? If Jehovah is speaking through the Watchtower, then anybody who is reading the Bible should come to the conclusion that Acts 5:29 applies to all human beings in that if the Watchtower says to abstain from any blood, than that should apply to every human being on the face of the earth but I ask you this: Can you prove that God is speaking through the Watchtower?

    Can you prove that the Bible is inspired of God when the forward to the Kingdom Interlinear 1969 states that no Bible today is inspired since there are no original manuscripts?
    If you are going to insist that nobody is allowed to take blood because of what the Bible says, then you should prove that the Bible is inspired. Can you do that?

    Also, if the blood was to be poured out, then why did the nation of Israel use it in their ceremonies by throwing it all over themselves and smearing it all over themselves? Why was it simply an uncleaness if they ate a strangled animal and all they had to do was wash themselves and be unclean until evening?

    When it comes to having to lie in order to get back into the organization, do you read what you say?

    • November 3, 2015 at 6:40 am
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      MC Hammer, I should have said above that you are NOT allowed to be here. Also, why don’t you use your real name? Are you afraid????

      • November 3, 2015 at 7:30 am
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        Well said Caroline…. it would be interesting to know why not only does MC hammer access this site but also feels the need to comment on what others post.

      • November 3, 2015 at 7:21 pm
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        MC Hammer, Caroline is not my real name because I am afraid. What is your excuse MC Hammer? Nobody who belongs to a religion should be afraid to say their name on a web site when it comes to expressing how they really feel about their religion on the threat of losing every friend they have had for the last fifty years but when it comes to the JW religion, we are not allowed to say how we really feel or we will get disfellowshipped for apostasy and you should know that or you would use your real name.

        Why are you afraid to say what your name is? I don’t think your name is John Smith. You are a coward and you are sticking up for a religion that makes you afraid to say what your real name is. I am not sticking up for this religion but you are.

        So again, why are you here?

    • November 3, 2015 at 10:11 am
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      “Also, if the blood was to be poured out……”.

      The Israelites certainly seemed to have had other uses for blood rather than just pouring it out onto the ground, didn’t they?

      “Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs.
      The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt”. (Exodus 12:7, 13).

  • November 3, 2015 at 9:06 am
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    M.C. I guess with your clear view on the process of acquiring the needed components you object to immunization, organ transplants, cell saver, hemo dilution, E.P.O., kidney dialysis, skin grafts. …only with eating meat, eggs…ect

    • November 3, 2015 at 9:09 am
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      That last line should read , along with eating meat, eggs ..ect

  • November 3, 2015 at 9:09 am
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    Why oh why should someone have to lie to get back into a religion and then fade from said religion – just to be able to speak to family members.

    The fact that this actually happens (which I and many others have seen firsthand ) is truly sad.

  • November 3, 2015 at 9:34 am
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    M C Hammer just a little point, we had an item on the service meeting about the challenges of our children at school Guess what? My children were the only ones at that time who actually went to school all the other soddin darlins home educated so DONT tell me its not encouraged it’s a damn fiasco and i’m cross with you. go away! you should not be here we are here to heal and help each other go someplace else.If you read this ,however, I will say your point about blood transfusion was very thought provoking this is not a thread for this topic but I have to agree with your direct and graphic analogy. The reason why I got cross with you is that my children had to be used for the stupid service meeting item when I actually object to them being used at all But all the oh so holy jdubs never had to sit out of an assembly or fight for the stupid religion its all theory for them so they don’t have freedom of speech .In fact they are so dense they don’t speak Oh well they will all become window washers including the girls as they don’t qualify for anything else. Here in England you don’t need a proper job to get to paradise great isn’t it!!!!! ruthless/ruthlee

    • November 3, 2015 at 12:41 pm
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      @MCHammer
      Friend, I have no reason to lie to you. There are a plethora of secret instructions and agendas that are only shared with elders during circuit overseer meetings, not even the ministerial servants are allowed to listen in. Just look one article before this one on this sites homepage and you’ll find a copy of what your and my elders will be going over with the circuit overseer. My own congregation has about 90% of its kids being homeschooled for the sole reason that everyone is convinced “the devil and this world” will win them over once they hit high school. I know for a fact that many of them were pulled for the sole reason that they were failing miserably in school and who could blame these poor kids who from birth are drilled not to invest in this world or its evil Universities. What insentive, encouragement, tutoring, can these poor children hope to get inside this cult?

      It isn’t the devil or the world that pulls these youths out of their brainwashed state, but rather the fact that secular schooling obligates them to think critically and gather proof of all things placed in front of them. I see these kids as young as 12 working as regular pioneers being “home schooled” by parents who couldn’t place a sentence together in their native language, much less the English of this country. There is no future for any of them. This organization wants a pool of millions of youths working towards bethel service, the same bethel slots which are quickly dwindling down to be in the few hundreds. What are the rest going to do?

      Jehovah himself said that his people would be a learned people and scripture encourages Christ followers to fact check everything they are learning about scripture, from scripture. Paul was a superstar, black belt preacher because of his schooling. He was well equipped to learn, reason, study and argue on behalf of scripture. All your children will be equipped with is how to present the latest hot off the presses magazine. They will no longer be allowed to practice their public speaking, or public reading like before. When you analyze the Bible reading mid week you will only be allowed to quote what the gb’s opinion was on a cited magazine. You are encouraged to read books about the bible, but I promise you, no one will ever make sure you have actually studied Gods word itself. As a matter of fact all within the organization is designed so that you don’t. You will read whatever the daily text is, get a feeling of accomplishment and completely forget what you read 3 minutes later. It’s just like in that movie Memento, all you get is quick blurry snippets of real truth at a time accompanied by a tranquilizer smoke screen explanation that pulls that away from you.
      All of this will work as long as you replace Gods word with that of Men.

      • November 4, 2015 at 2:07 am
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        Your last point Robert is exactly what iv’e been thinking for a long time all the gravy the gb spew it’s never meat and no one ever ever talks about what they have read in the Bible. It has always been the society quote, quote or the watchtower blah, blah. No wonder people have no memory or thinking ability they don’t read the Good Book. As you well know if you read Gods word you have to think but silly sheep cannot think they have lost the art.Likewise with the new midweek meeting they will be dumbed down even further.In fact the infamous wtower in Jan2016 about the anointed positively discourage people from forming private study groups to encourage one another. It is all a sham mirror image of what is true and the people reflect this in their mode of life just an image , no substance.For me my wake up moment was when I realised that the org keep you busy with everything else but read the Bible.So i consciously downed tools ,ie all jw lit and started to just read. My conclusion with them is that they surely do honour God with the lips but the collective heart is so far removed from God.Isa 29v13.It has been a clever ploy to dupe us and may i acknowledge a fairly sucessful one but not water tight.Hence everyone here has a valid point to make. ruthlee

    • November 3, 2015 at 12:44 pm
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      MC Hammer, I will say it again. Read the article again. Jenni said that homeschooling is encouraged among the Witnesses. We all know the Society has never said in print that kids should be home schooled so you are barking up the wrong tree when it comes to your issue with this article. If you want to accuse the writer of lying about something, pick a real point of contention.

      If that is the worst thing you can say about the article, does it compare to protecting pedophiles like what the Watchtower does?

      If you want us to start listing lies, let’s start with the Watchtower and see how many we can come up with.

      How about 607 B.C.E.???? That is a huge lie and people are losing their lives over a doctrine that is nothing but pure lies.

      When I say they are losing their lives over it, this is what I mean: We only get one life and when it’s over, it’s over. I think the Watchtower should come clean about 607 and let the rank and file decide if they want to stick with it, once the rank and file are filled in on that lie that was meant to trick them into believing that the Watchtower is getting special information from God, in that God gave them special information about 1914 which they get from the made up date of 607.

      If they admitted they were lying about 607, the Organization would crumble and fall because every book they have every printed in the last 100 years would have to be thrown out in the trash and the whole thing would have to start over again.

      The fact that the Watchtower refuses to admit they were wrong about 607 says that they are liars and if they are liars about that, then they aren’t the “truth” and people are wasting the only life they will ever have, preaching a message that is from Babylon the Great, which is deserving of being destroyed at Armageddon, just like all other false religions. Even one life lost to a cult, is one life too many and this cult has destroyed the lives of millions upon millions of peoples’ lives. Think about it. The Society is a bunch of liars.

      If you want to start picking on this article and point to “lies” and you think you have a case against it, let’s start pointing out the lies that you are preaching to the public and we will decide which lies are the worst ones.

      Think about it.

  • November 3, 2015 at 10:14 am
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    @ MC Hammer
    Where do you stand on the two witness rule for pedophiles amongst JW’s? or the fact that the Bible, which the “truth” is supposed to be centered on points the Goberning Body and the Fake and indiscreet slave as being false prophets? Deutoronomy 18:18-22, Proverbs 30:5,6
    Where do you stand on Jesus own closing words of the entire Bible in Revelation 22:18-22
    18 “I am bearing witness to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone MAKES AN ADDITION to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this scroll; 19 and if anyone TAKES ANYTHING AWAY from the words of the scroll of this prophecy, God will take his portion away from the trees of life and out of the holy city, things that are written about in this scroll.
    It is more than obvious to all here myself a still active Witness of over 30 years included, that the Governing Body, who now claim to be the Faithful and discreet (yet wanting everyone to know their faces and names) operates out of the 67th book of the Bible (The book of Opinions) which they themselves alter to their own convenience, constantly correcting or improving on Gods faulty words. What was God thinking when he asked men not to trim their beards?

    They add and take from scripture as they wish, in order to push their publishing houses agenda. They overburden Gods sheep with loads they themselves are unwilling to carry in this difficult world. All of their prophecies have proven to be false marking them as the aforementioned scriptures state, as False Prophets whom we should not fear.

    They bear every mark of a mind control cult, debunking the freedoms Jesus acquired for us through his free gift and placing mental shackles over those he freed.
    They prey on people seeking a relationship with their creator, only to ensnare them and squeeze all love out of them to the point where it is much more bearable to do without a God.

    Gods word tells you what you should be doing this very moment.
    “Therefore, get out from among them, and separate yourselves,’ says Jehovah, ‘and quit touching the unclean thing’”; “‘and I will take you in.’” “‘And I will become a father to you, and you will become sons and daughters to me,’ says Jehovah, the Almighty.”

    It is an irrefutable fact that the 607 b.c.e date given in order to come to 1914 is completely fabricated by these false prophets in order to keep gullible membership high and the real fall took place much later. The original 1914 date was determined by Charles Taze Russel by measuring the Great Pyramids, a practice he carried over from his Free Masonry days. The books are still around pick one up and see for yourself.
    The false 1914 end of the world prophecy was just the first strike in a series of criminal amendments to scripture. Ignoring Jesus words that even the Angels in heaven didnt know when the end was coming.

    If you want to blow the few years you have on this planet, literaly a Watchtower slave and actively supporting false prophets, that’s your call. Remember Peters words to the false teachers of his day “We must obey God as ruler rather than men.”
    Please feel free to fact check at http://www.jwfacts.com
    Come back anytime with any questions you might have, we are here to help.

  • November 3, 2015 at 12:47 pm
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    Mr Hammer,
    Very descriptive language very colourful. I bet
    no one goes to to sleep when your on the platform.

    Agreed no one likes the thought of other people’s
    blood in them which you very vividly ( But not very
    delicately) liken to taking in someone else’s saliva
    or snot. Now I’m willing to bet my house, that if you
    We’re strapped to a gurney and were offered the choice
    of a lethal injection or a cup of snot. You’d gladly take
    take the snot and the saliva as well.

    Same with other people’s body parts, someone else’s
    heart beating inside you, I just feel a little bit uneasy
    about that, but I’d gratefully accept it rather than the
    mortuary slab, and never seeing my wife and family
    again.

    Of course the gb, now allow their subjects to have
    transplants, but for 13 years they were forbidden
    until it dawned on them that the Bible doesn’t even
    mention the subject, I think they’ve realised
    it doesn’t mention blood transfusions either.. But that
    one is not as easily swept under the carpet,
    they’re taking the softly softly catchy monkey route
    with that. Come again Mr, Hammer your lurid language
    is fascinating, but please try to avoid mealtimes.

    • November 3, 2015 at 1:16 pm
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      M.C.

      When you’re an elder and you “allow” your kids to go to college, the shepherding book uses the term “tacit support”, on the other hand when 50%or higher of JW youth are home schooled many of which start pioneering at 12-14 years old, and the organization does not warn against the consequences of a lack of education, or discourage, then it becomes tacit approval. Again it should be up to parents as to what’s best for the education of their children, but we have all kinds of guidelines, no after school activities, no extra circulator clubs, no prep schools, drama, band, ect…So,. we you might say unofficially endorse “home schooling”, the same way we endorse quitting your job and moving the to some third world country to pioneer, and for the same reason.

    • November 3, 2015 at 3:22 pm
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      MC Hammer, in response to Robert67’s question about your honest opinion on the JW Soc’s illogical and heinous two-witness rule on sexual molestation, you said:

      ‘This is where I stand. Let me find out anybody inside or outside the congregation has abused my child. I guarantee you, the last thing they have to worry bout is 1, 2 ,3, or 144,000, or 8 million witnesses after I get to them. Next question.’

      That passion of sorrow and injustice and cruelty is coming from exactly the same place of empathetic passion that I, and many others, feel. But we can’t just protect only our own children. We have to protect them all, whether we are their biological parents or not.

      You are angry and incisive and fiery in your comments, whether they are ‘platform’ or not. I respect your anger, your incisiveness and your fire; I share that anger, incisiveness and fire too.

      I choose to use those qualities to spotlight the inhumanity of a belief group who insist upon two witnesses to the vicious crime of child abuse/sexual molestation of vulnerable people; and the inhumanity of the same belief group who furthermore shun and/or disfellowship those individuals who dare to expose this criminal practice in an attempt to stop this systemic cruelty from continuing.

      Said my bit, MC Hammer. If it was your kid, I’d be doing my best to fight his/her corner to give ’em a fair chance against any cowardly predator.

    • November 3, 2015 at 8:21 pm
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      When were transplants not allowed? Could you please let me know which publications it was written in? I’m curious to know.

  • November 3, 2015 at 1:07 pm
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    @ MC Hammer. MC, I am not going to bash you for believing what you do. That is fine but your argument about Abstaining from Blood is not true.
    The WT has flip flopped on its position many times and NOW it is almost OK to take Blood. At least Blood particles which come from WHOLE Blood. If A JW can take blood particles why is it not OK for him/her to give blood so that the blood particles can be taken or why not set up a Blood particle bank just for JW’s? Another Item is that we all knoiw that up until around 1980 organ transplants were considered Cannibalism and was a disfellowshipping offense but they did the flip flop on that teaching and now it is ok and hardly mentioned that it use to be BANNED? Why is that? Could it be the same with Blood transfusions? Maybe the WT really wants to OK it but they are afraid of Major lawsuits and a mass exodus from the Kingdom halls? I am just bringing this out for food for thought. BTW, my kids did go to Go to home schooling also.In all fairness I agree with you at least in my congregation the WT did not encourage it but many did it and as time went on many ended it as well. Think about what I said MC and if you care to answer my questions in a
    fair way we can have an open discussion.You must admit the WT has flip flopped on the Blood issue many times and on the Organ transplant issue. This doesn’t even consider the many dozens or hundreds of doctrines they have flip flopped on almost yearly they do it.

  • November 3, 2015 at 3:05 pm
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    MC Hammer
    “The word of God is alive and I convey it that way buddy” is not how it usually goes, in reality, as I remember. There isn’t much support or interest in the actual bible, that wood be nuts. Unless you mean WBTS publications are the word of God and “alive” – and then we’d get it. Or you’re imagining another place?

    SwimmingWiid

  • November 3, 2015 at 3:31 pm
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    @ MC Hammer

    If you think that things are so perfect in jw land and you are happy with the status quo, why are you on this site?

    Why do you feel the need to pontificate about the perceived utopia that exists within jwdom?

    • November 3, 2015 at 4:10 pm
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      This site seems to make you very angry…what makes you want to access it? Why are you coming accross as enraged?… Im just interested in your motivation as I said before.

    • November 3, 2015 at 4:20 pm
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      MC Hammer, I don’t like you. I believe you’re P.B. I notice you’re insulting in the way he was and you’re having to much fun doing it. You’re not real. You’re here to debate, insult and fight because you think it’s funny. The way you’re acting you’re going to end up kicked off this website like P.B. was. I notice several posters no longer post on here because of P.B. He was a fake to like you. People like you ruin this site. You’re a waste of time. Now, be careful what you say.

  • November 3, 2015 at 4:05 pm
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    @ MC Hammer,
    I chose my words very carefully when writing this article precisely because of people like you. Anyone who grew up a Witness knows that there are the written rules, and then there are the way things really are. I prefer to talk about the later.

    I never said “the organization” encourages homeschooling. I said it was encouraged “among Witnesses.”

    I never said, “you just have to stay,” ANYWHERE in my article. That line (which you put in quotation marks) was not in my piece. I said, a woman who leaves won’t be in good standing in the congregation. Please, MC, tell me about all the abused sisters you know who leave their husbands and face no negative consequences by the congregation. When it comes down to a game of he said/she said, the man will always win in the JW world. I have seen women leave, and though they may not be officially removed (like I was), they are seen as unrepentant or disrespectful of the headship arrangement. Whispers follow and invitations to socialize dry up quickly.

    Your argument that blood won’t guarantee a life is saved is infantile. Of course you can’t guarantee it will work, but you can try. If you have a headache, can you guarantee aspirin will make it go away? No. You take it–based on studies and proof that it has worked in the past– and hope it works for you too.
    Also, the reason blood at crime scenes is considered a bio-hazard is that:
    1.) Hasn’t been tested for disease–you know, like donated blood is.
    2.) Hasn’t been stored properly to ensure its safety –again, like donated blood.
    Your personal phobias against the ickiness of blood do not change the fact that it has been and continues to be a lifesaving source. If spit or poop saved my life, then YES, I’d take as much as I needed.

    Your last suggestion is the most laughable. Lie to get back in! Are you serious? First of all, wouldn’t the elders who are “appointed by god” (or whatever catchphrase the GB uses these days) know that I’m not really repentant? How in the world would I fool them??? Secondly, why should I have to lie to get basic kindness from my own parents and sister? Why should anyone?

    Please, do us all a favor. Stop making excuses for the Watchtower. You really aren’t doing them any service.

    • November 4, 2015 at 3:52 am
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      Jeni, thank you for this article. My grand children are home schooled, which bothers me so much. They won’t have any normal socialising which we all need. So sorry for all of those snobby relatives you have had to endure. Everywhere we see families torn apart. Speaking out about this evil cult is definitely the way to go. Hopefully, many more will realise how evil it is and leave, including my son and family.

    • November 4, 2015 at 4:17 am
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      Well said Jeni… I was genuinly feeling sorry for MC because he seemed so angry and I felt like he was in denial…Im such an idiot… I will be more careful!… Enjoyed your article very much…thank you.

      • November 4, 2015 at 8:49 am
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        MC is PB Lloyd posted a while back

        • November 4, 2015 at 10:58 am
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          Thats why I feel like an idiot Tara…because I didnt recognise it… and genuinly felt it was someone who needed help….well maybe PB/MC does!… just not here.

          • November 6, 2015 at 8:16 am
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            Idontknowwhattodo,

            Your desire to help “MC Hammer” and every other character created by this pathetic individual is much to your credit.

            It shows that you want to help people damaged by the WTBTS cult.

            It shows that you are a compassionate person.

            Good for you! There is no shame or humiliation in expressing kindness and expecting people posting here to be genuine. It is PB etc etc who has lost face and credibility, not you.

            Peace be with you, Excelsior!

  • November 3, 2015 at 4:11 pm
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    This site seems to make you very angry…what makes you want to access it? Why are you coming accross as enraged?… Im just interested in your motivation as I said before.

  • November 3, 2015 at 4:11 pm
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    Dear MC Hammer,

    Your opinions are worth being here as they add to the colour of this blog.

    My only concern is that if I were a sister in your congregation & I came to you with questions & problems, I would hesitate because I feel that you would shoot me down.

    We had elders in our old congregation that would be condescending like that & sisters would come to my husband (an ms) & I with their issues because they felt intimidated by the responses from the hardcore elders in the congregation that would speak down to them.

    Thousands of people who are telling their experiences on line here & other forums can’t all be lying. The Australian Royal Commission showed up the huge flaws in the management of this religion just on one issue of child abuse. From the elders, the WT lawyer, the Branch Overseer to Geoffrey Jackson all of these men lied & twisted the truth under oath. Did you know that there are 1000s of victims that have come forward in Australia?

    So take a step back & look at it with a sensitive heart & see that there are people who have been displaced & disillusioned by the religion.

  • November 3, 2015 at 4:16 pm
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    MC Hammer,

    I certainly dont have a problem with your opinions, and we can agree to disagree on whether this religion is truly directed by God or directed by lawyers and accountants.

    What I do have an issue with is the fact that it appears to me that you are trying to change my opinion on what goes on in the witness religion with regards to education, blood, disfellowshipping etc, when in fact I know firsthand the many flip flops and the so many unwritten rules that are pervasive within the congregations and the fact that if an individual tries to speak out or disagrees with anything, they are immediately hauled to the back of the Kingdom Hall and warned to toe the witness line or else.

    I guess you can say whatever you want and I may agree or disagree with you and it great because now at least I can disagree without worrying about repercussions. Unfortunately when I was a witness I did not have that freedom.

  • November 3, 2015 at 4:43 pm
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    MC you said” Doing. demonstrations is voluntary” true but when the only children in the hall who actually go to school are asked to fabricate the stupid service meeting item because the other 12 children ALL home schooled the kids have NO choice .You mister are a willful arrogant presumptive little man . I am sure you have some very good points to make but your nasty tone smacks of a holy jdub which most of us have had a bellyfull.Why are you here? you obviously are spoiling for a fight. I have been corrected on this site several times in a gentle way, not your elder up yours tone. We don’t need you, go back to the tower and rant with them if you dare. Cedars has set up a public service for us who need the friendship and reassurances from each other. We do not need bashing by you. So go and pray for forgiveness for dealing with us aposties. we’er alright jack pull the ladder up!You have every right to believe the watchtower and promote it during your public ministry.We have every right to knock it down brick by brick in our thoughts on this site we don’t much care to go public because people who are looking will find us we do not need to pester them.So again why do you comment here is it to spoil our haven? we have had enough to contend with over many years and have no need to defend watchtower anymore that is our choice. But what we do need is camaderie and support not more nasty jdubs in our face . Last note don’t you dare be so direspectful to Ted he is one of our seniors and you should rise up not berate, shame on you!Ive said enough now dont reply to my comment unless youve prayed for wisdom first. ruthlee

    • November 3, 2015 at 5:01 pm
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      I mean no disrespect to them and they are definitely entitled to their opinions but, when I am not allowed to disagree with them, that is where I have a problem.

      You see they are men just like you and I, but unfortunately by telling everyone that no one can disagree with anything that comes from them, they are placing themselves in a position that in my opinion is not reserved for imperfect men.

  • November 3, 2015 at 4:46 pm
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    John gardener, well spotted John, I think you’re right.
    I can’t be bothered playing his game, just sorry I didn’t
    spot it sooner. Sad really.

    • November 3, 2015 at 6:03 pm
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      Thank you Ted, I’m glad you see it to. MC Hammer is what I call a play ground bully. He disrespects, taunts, upsets, and enjoys doing hurt. The only way to stop a bully is by not reacting to him and ignoring him.

    • November 3, 2015 at 6:36 pm
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      MC, come on, you gotta be better than that. Waking is a frustrating process and you will absolutely go through a stage of great anger at the lies you were led to believe. We are here to help, take in what you can use and fact check everything, to be sure of all things.
      Remember this line from Morpheus when he explains the Matrix to Neo.

      “The Matrix is a system, Neo, and that system is our enemy. When you are inside, you look around, what do you see? Businessmen, teachers, lawyers, carpenters, the very minds we are trying to save. Until we do, these people are part of that system and that makes them our enemies. You have to understand that most of these people are not ready to be unplugged and many are so hopelessly dependent on the system, they will fight to protect it.”
      Take some time to learn the truth about the WT truth, then choose which pill youll take. I myself am fully awake, yet still attend my meetings and participate in service in order to stay close to my family. I know full well that the Org will strike at me with great vengeance if I am detected as an anomaly in the organization, but I’m ready and at peace with it. Tell you the truth, kinda hopeing for it.

      It sounds like you have many questions and we invite you to ask them. If your here you have some doubts and we are not trying to pounce on those doubts, only answer any questions you might have in order to set your relationship with God straight after having it detoured through this cult for so long. Pray on the matter if you still have faith or just think about what your really looking for. We are here to help and we understand.

  • November 3, 2015 at 4:49 pm
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    Rob

    Fully agree – there is a chance to explore evidence in freedom here – remote from the authority and convoluted “logic” of the WT.

    And when trad JW views are expressed here it’s a very different experience from swallowing them in the KH. Here we can recognise their evident strangeness more easily, at no risk.

    SwimmingWild

  • November 3, 2015 at 6:59 pm
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    MC I have read through all these comments. My ex abused me. He yelled at my hurt me physically and mentally. He wasn’t a witness so I took it all because that is what I was told to do by the elders… win him over without a word. When he finally walked out on me I was diagnosed with PTSD. Please, whatever your views whether fore or against the WT or this site, please remember that some of us are recovering from what we have been or are going through. I just ask for you to tone it down please. Strong words, harsh speech just makes me want to run into a corner and cover my head with my hands in fear.

    • November 3, 2015 at 8:31 pm
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      I’m really sorry you went through that. I hope you get the help you need to move on. I served as an elder, but I stepped down. The advice you received by the elders does not surprise me. Many are a disgrace. The advice I give to JWs is that when you receive advice from elders, if it sounds like crap, talk to Jehovah – his advice never fails. I have suffered emotional abuse and continue to suffer since I am no longer an elder. Amazing who your friends are when you are no longer on the social ladder.

      • November 4, 2015 at 8:21 am
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        Thanks David. Sadly I know many are given the same advice…. basically ‘suck it up, buttercup’. I cringe when people argue. Debate is one thing but heated words upset me. I’m learning to walk away from it now but so many others endure because that’s what they tell us to do……

  • November 3, 2015 at 9:40 pm
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    MC Hammer, I can tell you are Pickled Brain. I remember you calling someone a fat head in the past. I’m signing off and I wont be coming back on here. I’m leaving. I know you don’t care about me or anyone else on this site. just like Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t really care about people, you don’t care about people. You are so abusive I’m no longer willing to see your writings. This site was great until you came along and ruined it for me. You’re right we can’t stop you. You will always be around. Thankfully I wont be. Goodby I’m not saying goodby to you MC Hammer. I’m saying goodby to the good people on this site. Adios

  • November 3, 2015 at 9:56 pm
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    David, grow a beard & then see what happens, i also served as an elder/ms over a 20 year period, i can’t believe how i am treated, in Australia we have the saying, “Treated like a mongrel dog”, i watch on as other good brothers & sisters are being slowly destroyed by these shepherds, one good friend of mine (a MS) is under the pump, he is hanging on for the time being but now on anti depression medication, if he was treated like that in the workplace the elders would be in trouble for bullying, i see many people here who are crumbling away, last weeks mid week meeting we had 53 attend out of 106 Publishers, & the rest who aren’t counted, something very wrong

  • November 3, 2015 at 10:11 pm
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    David, grow a beard & then see what happens, i also served as an elder/ms over a 20 year period, i can’t believe how i am treated, in Australia we have the saying, “Treated like a mongrel dog”, i watch on as other good brothers & sisters are being slowly destroyed by these shepherds, one good friend of mine (a MS) is under the pump, he is hanging on for the time being but now on anti depression medication, if he was treated like that in the workplace the elders would be in trouble for bullying, i see many people here who are crumbling away, last weeks mid week meeting we had 53 attend out of 106 Publishers, & the rest who aren’t counted, something very wrong.

  • November 4, 2015 at 12:53 am
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    “MC Hammer” is indeed the latest incarnation of “PB” and has therefore had his/her email blocked, and all comments removed.

    Dear posters – if you suspect that a new poster might be PB, rather than “feed the troll” please send an email to the address on the “contact us” page and we will deal with it as quickly as possible. Sad individuals like PB crave attention, and thrive on it in order to cause mayhem, so it is best to deprive them of it.

    As for PB – hopefully eventually you will get the message. You may alternate your email addresses and usernames, but what gives you away every time apart from your appalling attitude is that you are the only poster on JWsurvey who rotates IP addresses – which says everything about your underhanded reasons for visiting our website. I am willing to continue blocking you and deleting your messages until the penny drops. You are not welcome here. Please find some other website to obsess over.

    • November 4, 2015 at 3:41 am
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      And I just missed it all. I probably would have been sucked in again.

  • November 4, 2015 at 1:38 am
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    Thank you Cedars for dealing MC a hammer blow .ruthlee.

  • November 4, 2015 at 3:02 am
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    My cousin has been sulking since i told him a few days back that there is no biblical scripture which supports the belief that the earth will become a paradise and the term “paradise earth” is purely a watchtower creation. Guess the truth about the Truth was too much to bear.

    • November 6, 2015 at 4:29 am
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      Hi Anthony,
      I just want him to get out of this cult .It has nothing to do with his religious beliefs but the fact that his association with this cult has caused him and his family tremendous grief. And the fact that this website exists should have told that his beliefs are hurting everyone. I have much to do in my life and getting my cousin out is one of them.

      • November 6, 2015 at 6:27 am
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        RC
        If I recall correctly you were never involved with the JWs, and your interest in this site is to get information so that you can help free your cousin from the JW Cult.

        You are welcome here and Cedars along with other people on this site will offer help and advice to help you achieve what you are trying to do, as the majority of us realise the hurt and destructiveness that this Cult bring to peoples lives, and that is the reason why so many of us want to free our JW family members .

        Please pay no heed to the comment addressed to you above. This person appears to be another – (dare I say it) unpleasant “troll” intent only on trying to intimidate genuine people here.

  • November 4, 2015 at 3:41 am
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    Jeni, well done for speaking out. Alas I feel your words will fall on deaf ears with many Witnesses because they have been sold this counterfeit religion. The only effective way to reach them, after exposing the organisation for what it is, as you have so competently done, is to present the real Jesus to them so that they really have someone to turn to. After all, didn’t he say “I will never leave you nor forsake you”?

  • November 4, 2015 at 4:21 am
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    “Sustaining one’s life by means of the body or part of the body of another human … would be cannibalism, a practice abhorrent to all civilized people. … It is not our place to decide whether such operations are advisable from a scientific or medical standpoint… Christians who have been enlightened by God’s Word do not need to make these decisions based simply on the basis of personal whim or emotion. They can consider the divine principles and use these in making personal decisions as they look to God for direction, trusting him and putting their confidence in the future that he has in store for those who love him.” Watchtower 1967 Nov 15 pp.702-704

    David, Re, your question on transplants, hope the above WT quote helps

  • November 4, 2015 at 8:48 am
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    Lloyd posted that MC is PB and has been removed. You will have to scroll up a bit to see his comments.

  • November 6, 2015 at 8:57 am
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    Hi,
    Thanks for your support. I will continue coming to this site. It has really been helpful . Cedars has really done a awesome job here. The personal opinion of Anthony does not concern me in the least. He is welcome to it .

  • November 7, 2015 at 6:39 pm
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    Yes Jeni and those of us who say little but feel the pain a lot, are very appreciative of your efforts.
    It’s so very true that the Jdubs are not what they present themselves [The Org itself] as and thus people deserve to be warned about some of the realities of the church.

  • November 8, 2015 at 9:47 pm
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    Your message is powerful and poignant, and expressed beautifully!

  • November 9, 2015 at 11:08 pm
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    Home schooling is big here & i think one of the main reasons is the kids can’t cope with normal life, so they are sheltered at home, as far as blood goes, blood fractions are now ok, where do they come from? mmm people donating blood, i know of a couple whose young son was taken by the courts and transfused, he lived, & his mother secretly told us she was glad the courts intervened, pretty sick stuff, if a parent does not allow a child to be transfused then they are guilty of Murder, & half these kids & parents who allow home schooling need a kick up the you know where, what happens after school when they have to get a job, oh thats right they pioneer & bludge of everyone else, a lot of people are going to end up on the scrap heap, all useless.

  • February 2, 2016 at 3:59 pm
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    Besides being ignorant about what the Bible really says about blood, you are being selfish by saying that just because YOU have seen children die from not having blood, you seem to think that it’s not okay for any child to have the opportunity to live from taking it by the way YOU interpret the Bible.

  • October 22, 2016 at 10:26 am
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    The jdubs profess to hold the KEYS, the old guys fly around first class and try to mind control their slaves even children to donate their change—- Well, my goodness if their predictions actually happen then they are true prophets, if they prophecy and it turns out to be false, then they are false prophets no question. So why would a anyone donate time and money to a false business that obviously does not have God’s backing? If Jesus hypothetically come to earth to inspect the jdubs, what would he do with the 50 Billion dollar real estate assets they own? Would he say good job buy more real estate a become richer? No he would say sell everything and give to the poor! AND the traveling would be as the poor travel, busses, trains cars and even a donkey or on foot. This business is going to crumble along with their false prophets eg 1975,1935, 1914 etc, etc, etc, etc. and it doesn’t end there. Thank God that we got the net to expose this mind controling cult.

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