By now I’ve written a number of articles about Watchtower, but it’s been a while since I’ve written anything addressing the organization directly.
A recent development, however, has moved me to write my former religious leaders a sincere open letter of gratitude, as follows…
Dear Watchtower,
As you may know, I am a passionate advocate against the damage you are inflicting on countless current and former Witnesses with your profoundly harmful policies on child abuse, shunning, higher education, domestic violence and blood transfusions.
I certainly don’t expect you to help me with my work of raising awareness of your dangerous, cult-like attributes – so whenever you do assist me in this respect I feel duty-bound to express my gratitude.
As you know, you recently lodged a copyright takedown request with YouTube for one of my “Getting To Know” videos featuring Tony Morris’ first rant about tight pants during his branch visit in Rome.
Oh, you know! The one where he scolded his audience saying “you chuckle, I don’t think it’s funny, I think it’s DISGUSTING!”
The video against which you so vehemently protested was a shortened version of the video below, minus the hilarious skit at the end with Will Ferrell and Jimmy Fallon…
It goes without saying that by issuing a copyright takedown request for this video, you are both (1) claiming ownership of its outrageous content (I assume on Tony’s behalf), and (2) showing the world that, like any good cult, you will move mountains to censor any information that makes you look bad – even if it originates from you.
I honestly couldn’t be more profoundly appreciative, and hence I will not be challenging your copyright claim – even though my video quite clearly falls under the “fair use” laws.
Besides, I set up the separate “JW Survey” channel precisely to shelter my John Cedars channel from this sort of petty, retaliatory action from you (which I have already experienced two years ago for uploading a song about Sparlock).
So, despite getting a strike against my back-up YouTube account, I can honestly say there is no real harm done.
On the contrary, you have done me a huge favor by showing the world how litigious, surreptitious, banal, cowardly, and ashamed of your own paranoid rantings you are despite being “God’s one true organization.” Readers of this website who would be otherwise ready to leap to your defense will have a hard time imagining Jesus filing a copyright complaint against someone for repeating his own words.
Far from it, Jesus (who you claim to be head of your organization), was apparently only too happy to take responsibility for his own words and own up to them because, as he put it, “I have not spoken of my own initiative, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak.” (John 12:49, New World Translation)
If you were truly “God’s organization” issuing life-saving proclamations through the holy spirit’s guidance and direction, you would be delighted that I am assisting you by spreading the words of one of the few members of your revered “faithful slave,” no matter how controversial these words might be.
Instead, your clearly-demonstrated desperation to conceal your own words (because you know full well they expose how backwards and deluded one of your leaders is) speaks volumes.
You are doing my work for me, and I can’t thank you enough!
I would also like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude that you have not sacked or disfellowshipped Tony Morris, as I once feared you might.
If the Governing Body had done this, it would have sent a clear message to all Witnesses globally that it takes its responsibility to be “faithful and discreet” very seriously, and will not tolerate one of its members laying down arbitrary rules without basing anything on the scriptures – behavior it is happy to denounce as “Pharisaical” when observed in other religions.
The fact that you have kept Tony Morris in his position despite his embarrassingly inappropriate rant against clothing (at such a prestigious event as a branch visit in front of more than 1 million Witnesses) again shows thinking Witnesses the true nature of your organization.
Your leaders are deluded and arrogant, drunk with their own power, and you are powerless to prevent them from “making an ass” of themselves (to quote Rutherford) – especially as their lust for prominence seems boundless. All you can do is mop up the damage afterwards and try to keep things hushed up.
And don’t think the fact Tony’s talk didn’t make the cut on JW Broadcasting’s “Programs and Events” page hasn’t gone unnoticed either.
So, thank you Watchtower. I really mean it!
Without your bumbling incompetence you would be a worthy adversary. Instead you’re proving something of a pushover. Every time you shoot yourself in the foot like this, you make my activism work far more easy and enjoyable.
Your grateful opponent,
@ Carole Stanton. You poor woman what you must have suffered.Sad to say I am getting to realise this committing SUICIDE seems to be quite common in the Truth. My best friend was an Elder who committed suicide by hanging himself and another friend within the same congregation did the same thing. There are so many DEPRESSED JWs out there.I empathise with you because these 2 friends of mine should have got professional psychiatric help but were told to pray more and get to meetings. What a shameful waste of young lives!!
anonymous
I love this site too, but do you sometimes feel that reading this at times makes a person bitter? I love keeping up to date with the watchtowers antics but it leaves me upset and enraged at times.
Pickled Brain…why would you guys go out on xmas day….I had a householder back in the day, say to me why can’t you people at least respect this one day for us, to be with our families? from that day forward I never went in service on a holiday!
I too am upset with the org. I was born into this and it sucks. I have awakened when my daughter was born who my wife and I had to go thru I V F to have. It was humbling experience and we did get some support from some close friends. Family not do much since they think us staying a power couple reaching for titles is more important.
Oh and now they want to have full access to her and everything is wonderful even though they didn’t want her.
My brother got disfellowshiped last summer add I took the “right” stance by shunning him completely. After about six months and him trying so hard to come back to no avail. I woke up to all the damage done. No good came from it! Nothing but anger, frustration, depression, hurt and negative talk from others. If this was from a loving God good would come from it. If it was right it wouldn’t be destructive!
I phoned him and he cried, I cried and we agreed nothing was going to break our bond as brothers. I just want to thank all of you got your expressions.
This is a sick awful way of life and the jw.org crap everywhere, key chains, bumper stickers, it’s all marketing there creating a brand. Frankly it disgusts me almost as much as the jw broadcasting what a load of crap! These clowns got a taste of fame with the rewritten bible release and now people like tight pants Tony can humiliate himself and everyone else who believes 1914 was more than a demon inspired work of fiction by a Freemason, who used measurements from the pyramids.
Was it an act of “lawlessness” to assume a position that had yet not been granted, and to disfellowship those disagreed with that assumption?
Would proclaiming, at and during that time, that you had been “appointed over all the master’s belongings” be act of apostasy if it were proved to be false?
Would those revealing such a false teaching be “apostates”, or would they be considered faithful?
Nobody can be considered as truly faithful as imperfection “rules as king”, but can an organization that uses that same argument do so without consequences? If so, does Chirst sacrifice now apply to organizations as well?
Is it an act of scriptural apostasy to reveal a false teaching or an act of apostasy against the Watchtower Society?
If you are shunned/disfellowedshipped for the latter then surely “with what judgement you judge, you yourselves will be judged”.
@john z . Your painful experience touches the heart of any genuine person who realises like you that the Truth is all about ‘Titles ‘ and not Love .So Glad you and your Brother saw through all this COMMERCIAL ORGANISATION and its Branding JW.org rubbish.You & your brother have found out the real truth !!
@Gary .Enjoyed your comment about the ORGANISATION being man of lawlessness.The logic of your Argumentation really makes a lot of sense & the JW organisation are the REAL APOSTATES!!
@shannon. I respect your comments,but this site & real life experiences expressed here help a lot of Jws & ex- JWs offload how they FEEL from the heart because the inner frustrations & anger & humiliation of the way they have been treated needs to put down on ‘paper’ so The WORLD can read this site & understand What is going on inside this organisation!! This site is also very therapeutic for those who have been isolated & shunned & need one another to share what they have suffered.
Comment didn’t show up, testing…
It’s a small witness world and I’m so glad for your comments. I feel validation and relief… I was in special full time service for a while. I was in with the big wigs, aka “cow”.
I find comfort in your personal experiences. I read each and every comment posted and I am so deeply sorry for the loss some of you have experienced. I am still in, but I don’t want to be…
@gary, I think we have met…? Are you an aussie from dy?
I would love to exchange emails and numbers with many readers of this blog, but I have to keep silent… :(
There has been some remarkable people who have been Jehovah’s witnesses. Those people who stood up and said no to the Watchtower Society. They have been humiliated, lost families, and publicly executed spiritually and demonized. What brave individuals, they are the real saints.
Ahh, no, I’m not an Aussie. I’m from England. x
There is , according to my understanding, only one Christian organization that teaches that the presence of Christ has already begun. Past and present tense (Greek) “having stood in the day of the Lord”, the qualifications fit.2thess2. If we are to believe this, it would be taught before the genuine parusia. There is no doubt 1914 is false. That’s the real apostasy, that the resurrection has already begun. . . Do they rule as kings?
Regardless of what a person chooses to believe, it cannot be denied factually that the scriptures have said there would be a false parusia before the genuine one.
So, whether a person believes in agnosticism, atheism, Christian, flat earther or Jew, we shall see whether there is a God of the Bible.
1st strike, apparently, will be the removal of the Watchtower Society.
I Agree with you Gary, yes a false presence and only JW have been teaching this.
Here’s a scriptural argument-
If you are commanded by the scriptures to “test the inspired expression” does a religious body have the right, bearing in mind they have been proven to have taught what is false, to take that right away and punish you for applying that verse? Would that not be an anti Christian thing to do?
@Gary .Excellent point you make about testing every inspired expression. This is my MAIN COMPLAINT against Watchtower Organisation because at 1John 2v1,2 that is exactly what it says and the Governing Body don’t even claim to be inspired but SPIRIT DIRECTED which is a play on words.But if this is the case the Governing Body should be only too happy to be Questioned on EVERY NEW LIGHT interpretation as this would be following 1 John 2v1,2 .They should not be Disfellowshipping people for testing their expressions as we are only following Holy Scriptures. It is the Governing Body who should be DISFELLOWSHIPPED for not Applying scripture correctly.
Just wanna throw out a question as like to see how others view this:
Have you personally seen evidence of holy spirit in action the time you were a witness & did you feel God was in any way directing your life as a witness
I appreciate feedback on this as this is an area that troubles and worries me as a near 3 year fader from the Org
Many things confuse me too about what the society teaches, and i dont agree with because of factual proof. And it greatly bothers me also. Some things though, not everything. Many things they are right about because jehovahs witnesses do have the Truth about Him. I know this myself because of how many times He has answered peoples prayers in a way i cannot deny is Him. I have seen in many many times. the key is reliance on Him personally and prayer. Thats when you will see personally that He is with jehovahs witnesses, even if they are mistaken about a few things because they are imperfect humans. He will help those with the right heart see things clearly if the society is wrong about something. He has done it for me and i know He will for others who are genuinely seeking Him. Jehovah God is the great Hearer of prayers, and he truely answers prayers. I have seen it over and over and many times in the service work, answering peoples prayers. Directing them that Jehovahs Witnesses have the truth about Him. I am a spokes person for him because iv seen it so many times. One time we called on a young native gentleman going who was going to commit suicide and he prayed to God for help. Just as he was going to do it myself and an older sister called on his door. His eyes bulged from God hearing his prayer for help. Another time my son and i called on a gentleman and as he opened the door he said’ oh good, im glad your here….i was searching for a bible study from churches, i was looking for one’. Another time we witnessed to a girl on the bus with magazines and she was shocked having been looking a religion already. She said wow, God is certainly with Jehovahs witnesses.’ and thats just the start of what iv seen. God is definately real, and He is with Jehovahs witnesses, but it will only take Him and His holy spirit to get you to realize that personally. Than you cannot doubt. God does not lie. You need not fear, but you must be genuine and pray from the heart, and He does answer prayers and that is how you will know for yourself. Hes done it for me personally and many others. I could go on and on. I just wanted to answer the question of doubt put in here lol. To assure you jehovah is indeed very real and with the witnesses. But you must rely on Him, not imperfect humans.
@Tiffany, I was in the field one day when I met a lady who said she had prayed to God to send someone to teach her the truth about the Bible. She explained that the next day her friend who was a Baptist called by and started telling her about the Bible. She asked whether I thought that was the answer to her prayer? See, all religions have these sorts of experiences.
In the field service one day, a man approached a brother and said he wanted a Bible study. The man wrote his address on a slip of paper. The brother lost that piece of paper and so could never call on that man. Why did the holy spirit not play a role there to stop the address getting lost?
I remember the victim at the Australian Royal Commission saying how she would pray for Jehovah to send his angels to help her when her JW father came in to sexually abuse her, but Jehovah never did. So it is worth thinking, why would God answer someone’s prayer for something trivial, but not answer this little girl’s prayer?
Another case: when I had my judicial committee hearing the elders prayed for holy spirit. When I had subsequent meetings with them to protest their error they prayed for the spirit, and told me they were not wrong. On appeal, a different set of elders prayed for the holy spirit and found out that the original group of elders were in error. Why did the holy spirit play games like that? Since then I have refused to allow any elders to pray when they visit or meet with me.
Why would the holy spirit be involved to attract someone to the truth, and at the same time cause me to question the truth?
Another case: In field service sometimes we forget to say a prayer first. And yet the experiences we have are just the same as when we do say a prayer.
Another case: We think the holy spirit is giving us fantastic results with increases here, there and everywhere. And yet another group, the Seventh Day Adventists which came into being 50 years before us, are also having even better results: 1 million SDA’s in India. Imagine.
I could continue to give you example after example after example. Not to convince you, Tiffany. But to help balance your absolute confidence that the holy spirit must be there. Is it?
See, when Jesus told us to keep praying for holy spirit he compared it to a parent giving a child an apple, because the child is hungry. If you are given an apple, you know it. You eat it and you feel content. You don’t get given an apple, eat it, and then not know whether you were given an apple or not. So too with the holy spirit. If you do not know whether holy spirit was involved or not, then was it?
The answers to all those questions are with jehovahs witnesses if you study the bible with them. I will not answer them all on here. There is a reason why God allows suffering, however He does answer prayers. Also, as to why He does not answer everyones is ONLY HE IS THE GREAT reader of heart, and can see someones full cercumstance that we dont know, nor should judge. Also, sometimes He does not answer prayers right away as a test of our faith. The bible says, without faith, it is impossible to please Him well. And theres many more reasons about things as to why He does the things that He does. but they are always perfect. He is the Great hearer of prayer though, that i donot doubt. If someone has the right heart, He will reveal it to that person, without a doubt. Reguarding this other woman who so called prayed, and another religion came to her, satan can turn himself into an angel of light. I myself personally, as well as others i know, have seen many many times how He answers prayers and drew them personally to jehovahs witnesses. Also in my private life. Hes saved me and my son personally many many times, a reward for trusting in Him. And when we do that, and see how he answers prayers, it builds faith. And if you dont understand scriptures, or etc that dont make sense, dont ask humans, pray about it and ask jehovah. Again rely on Him, not imperfect humans, and if you have the right heart, He will help you to know. A gentle man i know who was looking for a religion did his own research, and studied with us and other religions. he is now coming to all our meetings. he said with a binle study i could see for myself jehovahs witnesses teach the truth about God. When you guys came to my door, it was no accident. it was definately God.
@Tiffany,
“The answers to all those questions are with jehovahs witnesses if you study the bible with them.”
Really? I was associated with them for over 30 years, serving as a pioneer, a ministerial servant, and an elder. They have no real answers to those questions. The only people satisfied by their answers are those who have invested so much of their time in this organization that they cannot accept it being wrong.
Your experiences have been retold by members of every denomination of Christendom with only slight variations of details. However, all those other denominations are condemned by Jehovah’s Witnesses, their members being worthy only of destruction, unless they convert. When you take an objective view, the JWs have no more cornered the market on religious truth or divine approval than any other religion.
WS
According to Christ the reason for Jerusalem’s destruction was because they “did not discern their time for being inspected”.
Similarly, the illustration Christ gave concerning the faithful/evil slave and has to do with those ones discerning at “what hour” the master would arrive and their obedience and faithfulness, after all they wouldn’t know the hour. Ironically those ones now believe that Christ has already been, in other words they are fast asleep spiritually to their masters furture arrival due to 1914. Precisely as predicted by the scriptures. So, I wait in anticipation to the smile being wiped off the Watchtower Society face. So, let’s wait and see if there is a God of the Bible.
For any one who is not a jw or who interested, out of curiosity etc Let me be perfectly clear, Jehovah’s witnesses operate their own version of sharia law. If you find that difficult to believe then feel free to read the child abuse policys and stories on this website. I agree, scriptually they teach accurately the Kindom message but their methods are wholly inadequate.
All I said was, ” this halibut is good enough for Jehovah”.
All I said was “this halibut was good enough for Jehovah. . . He said it again!”
Sorry Watchtower, I’m meant to be miserable and awaiting execution.
@Gary, that is a good point, that since the Society has been in error in the past, then why shouldn’t Witnesses be allowed to “test the inspired” expressions coming from the Watchtower? They have proved to be wrong so it would only make sense that we should be allowed to test what they say against the Bible without being disfellowshipped for it.
Anytime the Watchtower puts down in print “we thought” this or “we thought” that, like they did in the July Study edition of the Watchtower of 2013, they were admitting that they didn’t understand thus and so and so they are saying that they were too “stupid” to understand thus and so. In other words, they were saying that they were stupid.
To say it’s new light that they come up with, is to admit that they weren’t “bright” in the first place. Who is to say that they all of a sudden got “smart”? Why should we be forced to obey every command coming down from the Society when they openly admit that they are flying by the seat of their pants all these years?
If they are getting all this new “light” from Jehovah now, then where was He all the time they were printing stupidity? How do we know that all of a sudden, that now Jehovah is giving them the correct info when they were so wrong all these years? Have they been working “against” the Holy Spirit? How can we trust that they have the Holy Spirit now, when it’s possible they have been working against the Holy Spirit all these years?
With all these questions, why don’t they allow for Witnesses to “test” that what they put down in print and say at assemblies can actually be backed up by Bible scripture? The answer is obvious. They want to fool everyone of Jehovah’s Witnesses into believing that they are smart when they are actually stupid.
Fabulous website Lloyd. This song is dedicated to you personally and all those who contribute, Peg. . Steely Dan. Have the best years ever folks.x
Their a constant source of humour:-), please don’t go:-)
Wouldn’t want the Watchtower and jws to feel left out, Reelin the years. . Steely Dan. x
@Liam smith.I wholeheartedly agree with your comment about lack of evidence of Holy Spirit at work in the congregation!!The Elders I knew 36 years ago were down the Red Lion Pub after every a Elders meeting (I am being deadly serious) & the only SPIRIT they were familiar with was JOHNNIE WALKER WHISKEY.Boy those Elders could really throw back the Alcohol while still discussing vital spiritual matters.One Elder when invited to his & his wife’s place for a meal would start with a sherry then have 3 glasses of wine with his meal then a gin& tonic & finally a Liquer (Baileys)with his Coffee & then offer to drive any home who didn’t come in a car!!’ BUT IF YOU SMOKED ONE CIGARETTE you would be DISFELLOWSHIPPED .Holy Spirit!!! Pull the Other One !! It has Bells on it!!’
Leaving the Watchtower is a bit like taking off an ill fitting pair of shoes, it’s so good to be free. What a relief.
A guilty conscience? :-), no that’s apart of the conditioning. Don’t play game.
Our Fathers Holy Spirit works through individuals,not organisations during this Christian people in all walks of Christianiy have xlaimed to have felt Gods Spirit or sern God working,praying gor something thst serms to miraculously happen.
After believing Jesus at his word in John 1:12-13, I received the indwelling Spirit all Christians receive,when asked in faith and sincerity.
What I have and continue to experience is beyond imagining. I KNOW I am Gods child,that eternal life is held out before me!
I no longer fear,I have become a loving giving person. When you glimpse Gods personality, you just KNOW. His awesome love,goodness,joy,kindness imprints itself on your heart . I no longer do anything out of fear oe written law. I know what goodness and love is ,and practice it in my life’!
@gary
Hi Gary
Read your comment that you believe the WT teaches accurately abou the kingdom. I totally disagree with that. The teach that the Kingdom was established “invisibly” in 1914. They also teach that Jesus 2nd coming was in 1914 and the heavens were cleansed of Satan and his demons in 1914 and that the WT was chosen as God’s representative in 11918 after inspecting all the churches? There is no proof of this at all. They also determine this based on a 7 times prophecy that some how that determine ended in 1914 starting in the year 607bce. No scholars believe that Jerusalem was destroyed In 607 BCE. All of their teachings about the Kingdom are based on these falsehoods and erroneous understandings. The WT must know that 607BCE is not a accurate year for destruction of Jerusalem and even if it was the 7 times prophecy they try to use starting with that date has nothing to do wit 2520 years. The whole thing is nonsense. I is true they teach that the Kingdom of god is a government and Jesus is the ruler of that Kingdom but so do many many other religions. it isn’t some revelation that was given to them only.They are wrong about their main teaching about the kingdom and the 1914 nonsense and the 2nd coming of Christ. His return is yet future and so is the Kingdom. They tie everything to 1914 and it is proven a false date among many other dates of the WT. Not one thing the WT ever predicted has come true. Not one. I challenge any JW in sincerity to accuratlley show us on this sirte one accurate prophecy uttered by the WT n in the last 125 years that has come true, Be Specific please and not general. I can show you hundreds that have proven utterly false and whack teachings.
That’s a two way street tbh. In the kingdom halls I’ve been in there was a lot of men who worked full time and were tired whilst there wives pioneered and got commended. They were seen as great examples in the halls, when in reality they were lazy or were retired so they had nothing else to fill there days with. The husband s were seen as weaker spirituality because of there tiredness and less ministry.
@nodoubt – true that. Yet, if husband quit working full time and wife had children etc, prepping to be the model JW family with wife, husband and Stepford children, eventually the financial crises would hit and the brass ring of MS or elder slipped out of reach as husband was de-merited for not being a provider for his household. Provide for his household and he’s still weak, another demerit. Not a “Catch 22” just a frackin’ mess where who you know gets you a quicker appointment than what you’ve done.
DEAR CEDARS I LOVE YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT MORRIS’S TIGHT PANTS. IT WAS VERY WELL WRITTEN AND VERY ENTERTAINING. I WAS A JW FOR 25 YEARS. A ‘ LOVE CHILD’ OF 1975 (DIANA ROSS AND THE SUPREMES). IT’S BEEN 14 YRS THAT I’VE BEEN DSFD. A GREAT LOAD HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM MY SHUOLDERS. EVERY TIME A JW COMES TO MY DOOR OR I MEET ONE ON THE STREET. I ASK THEM A FEW QUESTIONS, I EITHER LEAVE THEM PUZZLED OR THEY GO RUNNING. IN THE BRONX ,NEW YORK WE PUERTO RICANS HAVE A SAYING. ‘ YOU CAN’T BULL—T A BULL —TER, YOU CAN’T HUSTLE A HUSTLER AND YOU CAN’T PLAY A PLAYER’ I DEDICATE TO YOU THE SONG BY JAMES BROWN, ‘ HOT PANTS’. JAMES BROWN WAS THE HARDIST WORKING MAN IN MUSIC AND YOU ARE THE HARDIST WORKING MAN AGAINST THE WT. THANKS
Isn’t it interesting that they used to proudly state that they didn’t waste time “shaking off every dog,” and that they had more important work to do.
As with so many things, after praising themselves for a certain course, they’ve switched tracks and are now doing the very opposite.