Watchtower’s much-anticipated 129th Annual Meeting was held today at the Stanley Theater, New Jersey. In an unprecedented move, the event was streamed live to 1,830 locations – a global audience of nearly 1.5 million Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Sadly I was among those without an invitation. The Governing Body does not tend to welcome with open arms those like me who are critical of some of their teachings and policies.
But thankfully I have not been left entirely in the dark, and neither has anyone else for that matter! One brave blogger going by the name of “DrJohnChrist” who attended one of the streaming locations has provided a running commentary via a thread on the Reddit social network.
Much of the hype leading up to the Annual Meeting surrounded the fact that there has been a far-reaching shortage of New World Translations over the last few months, with congregation stocks running dry. This led to rumors that a new version of the English New World Translation was in preparation – and it seems these whispers were not wide of the mark.
It fell to Governing Body member Geoffrey Jackson to announce the new release. Revised into 21st Century English with a grey cover and silver edges, a revision of the New World Translation bible has been released today with the PDF version available on Monday 7th (presumably on JW.org). This is what it looks like…
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Nicknamed the “witnessing bible” (according to Stephen Lett), a large-print version will be available in 2014 followed by a pocket version. A large bible with wide margins for note-taking is also planned. The new bibles feature a “mini reasoning book,” an “extensive appendix,” a glossary, outlined summaries at the start of each book, maps and other references.
You can check the play-by-play thread yourself by clicking here.
A sexist faux pas?
In explaining the development of the new bible, Geoffrey Jackson is said to have commented extensively on the work that was done – which included designing a new font set for copyright reasons.
When commenting on the new bible’s appearance and durability, Jackson is reported to have joked that it is both “witness-proof” and “sister proof.” Quite what this means isn’t immediately obvious, but it could be that he was alluding to a stereotype of women as being overly fastidious as to how an item looks rather than its content and purpose.
While many Witnesses would likely shrug off such a remark, it was undoubtedly sexist assuming, of course, that these were Jackson’s words. You could imagine the uproar if a politician on camera described the appearance of any item as “woman proof.” It would also not be the first time a Governing Body member has made a chauvinistic remark from the platform, as certain videos featuring Stephen Lett and Samuel Herd will show.
A revised translation
It seems that, rather than being an entirely new translation (which would require a new name) this new bible is a revised translation – meaning that it is predominantly an updated and improved version of the original English New World Translation.
About two years ago I was informed by a translator in a non-English bethel that it was only a matter of time before the NWT English version would be revised, because it was originally written in 1950s English whereas subsequent translators in other languages have had the luxury of rendering bible verses in a more contemporary lexicon. This prediction was clearly accurate.
A number of terms have thus been changed as follows (according to the Reddit thread)…
- “Long-suffering” is now “patience”
- “Loose conduct” is now “brazen conduct”
- “Fornication” is now “sexual immorality”
- “Impaled” is now “nailed to a stake”
- “Sheol and hades” is now “the grave”
- “Revelries” is now “wild parties”
- “Soul” is now a variety of words depending on context
- “Kidney” now means “deepest emotions”
- “In want of heart” is now “lacking good sense”
- “Sons of Israel” is now “Israelites”
- “Fatherless boy” is now “fatherless child”
- “Alien” is now “foreigner”
- “Ass” is now “donkey”
- “Impale him” is now “to the stake with him” (a regression if you ask me!)
- “Dumb demon” is now “speechless”
- “Loving kindness” is now “loyal love”
- “Jacob’s ladder” is now “Jacob’s stairway”
- and Joseph’s “coat of many colors” is now his “special robe.”
Parts of the gospels that are disputed have been removed, namely the long and short conclusions to Mark, and John 7:53-8:11. You will be familiar with these passages as the parts that appear in small font in the original version. This adjustment will doubtless not meet with widespread approval.
It will be interesting to see how certain key texts often used by Jehovah’s Witnesses to support Watchtower teachings have now been rendered, but without having seen the bible I am personally willing to trust that no attempt has been made to alter the meaning of verses or distort scripture. I will know more once I have seen the bible for myself.
Though this bible revision first-and-foremost represents a straightforward improvement to the original English, the extent of changes (i.e. removal of disputed gospel passages and addition of extra reference material) should necessitate new versions of bibles in other languages. Otherwise you would have an English bible that differs significantly in content from its non-English counterparts. The question of how and when other language versions will be introduced apparently wasn’t addressed at the annual meeting, so we will have to wait and see what transpires. [Edit: this question WAS in fact raised during the meeting, and Guy Pierce indicated that other language editions WOULD be released, but not in the immediate future.]
Replacement for Watchtower Library?
A new application is also said to have been announced at the annual meeting by Guy Pierce, with the insinuation that it will replace Watchtower Library.
“JW Library” is reported to include five other bible translations, and will be available for download from Monday 7th onwards from Google Play, the Apple Store, the Windows Store, and Amazon.
It remains to be seen whether a price will be attached to this new software. If there is, this could prove to be a very clever and unprecedented way of guaranteeing extra cash flow. However, I would rather give the organization the benefit of the doubt and assume it is a free download until I am able to check on Monday!
[Edit: I am pleased to confirm that this app is free to download. Furthermore, having listened to the announcement, I personally doubt JW Library is an immediate replacement for Watchtower Library, since it is only really designed for touch-screen devices. That said, it would not surprise me if there are long term plans for JW Library to be the successor to Watchtower Library.]
Anti-climax
In the build-up to this meeting, rumors were rife on the internet that there would be another major new scriptural understanding, or “new light,” unveiled. These rumors were understandable given the magnitude of the doctrinal changes at last year’s event, in which the Governing Body announced itself to be the faithful slave.
In opening this year’s annual meeting, Guy Pierce could be said to have somewhat goaded his audience and raised expectations unnecessarily.
This is what he reportedly said, according to DrJohnChrist…
“Will important bible questions be answered? Yes. Proverbs 4:18. There will be new light. The righteous ones (Jehovah’s people) will get the light. Will bible truths be refined at this meeting? Absolutely.”
You can arguably excuse the “bible questions” remark as a joking acknowledgment of the number of enquiries doubtless received at headquarters as to the lack of availability of bibles.
Even so, if Guy Pierce truly said the above, then he was leading his audience up a blind alley. “Bible truths” were not “refined” at this meeting, certainly not in the sense that people would understand that statement. There was no “new light.”
Again, it remains to be seen what Pierce’s exact words were, but if this is a fair representation of what he said to introduce the meeting, then in my view his words were misleading.
Question marks can also be raised over the words of another Governing Body member. In his Watchtower summary, Gerrit Lösch is reported to have said the following…
“It’s good for us not to have association with relatives who love worldly pursuits. Are our children acting worldly? Using worldly slang? Actively STEER children toward baptism. What are your children’s conversations like? Can they sing worldly songs by heart but not kingdom songs? Do I permit my children to play with worldly children? Do they talk only about kingdom interests?”
Firstly, surely children should not be “steered” or coerced into making a lifelong commitment that they cannot fully appreciate until they have matured? Is this not a main reason why so many youths get disfellowshipped and end up being shunned by their parents?
As to the remarks about “worldly” relatives, inactive “faded” Witnesses including me will once more let out a collective sigh of disappointment at the “us versus them” mentality encouraged by the Governing Body – if this is truly what Lösch said. Deprivation of normal family contact and association is yet again used as a tool for control and punishment, as with the recent convention reminders on shunning (which all but admitted that shunning is a form of emotional blackmail).
The future is bright
But despite the disappointments, I take great encouragement from this meeting. If the above information turns out to be verified, as I hope it will be over the next few days, it will represent the THIRD major leak over the past 12 months. First we had the leak of the October 2012 elder’s letter regarding child abuse. Then in March the so-called “new light” July 15th Watchtower was leaked on this website weeks in advance of its normal release.
Now we have a thinking Witness providing a live blog feed from inside a tightly controlled and confidential meeting where use of social media was expressly banned. The bravery that DrJohnChrist has shown in getting the word out is highly commendable, and I am excited to think of what other significant leaks of information we can look forward to in the near future as yet more thinking Witnesses inside the organization decide to push the boundaries and make a difference.
UPDATE: To read my follow-up article, click here. I am now in receipt of audio files for the annual meeting which correspond with the above notes, and I can confirm the accuracy of what was written in this article based on those notes. I would, however, like to clarify two aspects of DrJohnChrist’s notes that seem to be causing some confusion: (1) when Gerrit Lösch said that God’s will is to be completed by the end of the millennium, this has given some the impression that Lösch was referring to the end of this century, when in fact he was referring to the end of Christ’s millennial rule, and (2) the phrase “bum witnesses” was never used in Lösch’s talk. The word “bum” was used once in Anthony Morris’ talk, but only in an illustration.
Further reading…
Related videos…
Cedar, why should I name them for you? Some are books written by scholars, some are PDF files, others history documents, court documents or info found on the organizations own website (by organization I mean not WT, I mean for example UNGO website)….etc. And of course there is always the telephone. But the only disadvantage with that is you have no proof, unless you record your conversation. Yes, it’s real, tiresome, detective work. But the info is there. If you really tried, and were REALLY bothered about finding the TRUTH instead of accepting biased, onesided theories as fact, then you would find it too. You do the work! But I will repeat here, none are “WT”, nor “apostate”, after all, that would defeat the object of the exercise, wouldn’t it? But I bet you are not going to do this. Because you are just as bad as what you accuse the JWs of being, closed minded, willing to listen to someone, because you like the sound of it and because it’s what you want to hear – without checking if it’s actually the truth…
“Cedar, why should I name them for you?” – what a silly question! You should name examples because YOU brought up the subject, that’s why! By all means name these books you’ve researched that are written by “scholars,” who are neither Watchtower-sympathizers nor apostates, and tell us which copies you have in your personal library. You are talking all about evidence but, like most trolls, you seem reticent when it comes to actually naming names because you know full well your assertions won’t stand up to the slightest scrutiny.
And trust me, I do the legwork when it comes to research. Only a couple of weeks ago I put in an international call to the Zalkin Law Firm and confirmed that they were handling 11 child sex abuse lawsuits against Watchtower, with more in the pipeline. There’s no sensationalism there – just cold hard facts provided by a non-Watchtower, non-apostate lawyer.
So I challenge you Jannet – name a single thing published on this website that is disputed by hard evidence, give the source of this evidence, and I will make the necessary changes and corrections if proven wrong. I very much doubt you will respond because you seem to have nothing but hot air, baseless accusations and empty words.
But I warn you, choose your evidence carefully and subject it to the same scrutiny I would subject it to. If you post a comment that is to one of those watchtower-apologist sites (which are notoriously bereft of logic) or that otherwise turns out to be a red herring it will be the last comment you make. I won’t tolerate trolls.
So, evidence?
Have you ever experienced abuse mental and physical abuse from a brother and received no help from the elders? How long does this have to go on for.. It makes me sad that it was never felt with.. I believe if it were, and my ex husband had been told and counceld on how horrible it was to treat your wife this way, our marriage may have been able to be saved.
I was also blackmailed and used to have a brother removed as a PO from out hall. The brother knew exactly what he was doing by using me. It was a horrible experience and still bothers me so much to this day. It was out of my control and the brother is still an elder. I just don’t understand it. I believe it’s the truth but its the people I don’t trust at all in the hall.
I know I’m late to the party, but where does the bible say there is one true religion? I know it says that there is one true god but have never read about one true religion.
“Hello Bill – no I’m not disfellowshipped, yes I’m a Jehovah’s Witnesses, yes I am able to stand perfectly well, and I try to be as active as my health permits!”
Great response! Ha ha ha
this article and website is full of it!! Nothing is accurate! That’s not even Geoferry Jacksons wife in the picture with him!!
There’s an open invitation, from Cedars, to prove what is inaccurate. Do so, Jannet you too, as I’ve spents months and hundreds of hours trying to prove something incorrect from JWFACTS or this site. I haven’t been able to find anything.
I don’t understand how some JW can shout other people to mind in their own business and leave them alone. Are not JW the ones who go d2d saying why other people’s beliefs are wrong?
I’m a JW and I can’t stand double standards any more.
Guess what… the word “trinity” is not in the Bible… Well nor is “organization” or “1914” or “blood transfusion”…
Jannet says:
“Cedar, why should I name them for you?…. If you really tried, and were REALLY bothered about finding the TRUTH instead of accepting biased, onesided theories as fact, then you would find it too.”
“Hahahahaaaaa, you make it sound like there is something sinister going on. Come on, there are no secrets, nothing is breaking down,….you need to go and chill. Or go and read a good conspiracy book if you need some excitement in your life!”
Jannet, once again I must express an ongoing concern about the nature of some of your comments as reflected in the above quoted statements. Please notice how the following comments from a 1978 Watchtower article describe these kinds of remarks:
“….a very unfair and untrue type of propaganda…. assumes a superior air of dismissal of an opponent’s viewpoint, treating it as rather pathetic and really not worth attention….in order to evade questions that they cannot answer….So they resort to making assertions, and they scoff at all who dare to dispute them.” ~ Awake 1978, 8/22, pg.4, par.2
Additionally, please note how the following statement from an Awake! magazine article characterizes the nature of your remarks towards Cedars:
“Some people insult those who disagree with them by questioning character or motives instead of focusing on the facts.” ~ Awake 2000, 6/22, pg.6 par.1
Accordingly, do you really believe that your comments qualify as a defense based on reason and expressed with “mildness” and “deep respect”? (1 Peter 3:15) Do you really understand and empathize with what Cedars and others you have labelled as “disgruntled witnesses” have been and are going through? After giving some consideration to the aforementioned questions, do you feel that perhaps a very sincere and deep apology would be appropriate?
A Man For All Seasons
4th generation JW
“A simple man believes every word he hears; a clever man understands the need for proof.” (Prov. 14:15 ~ The New English Bible)
“But do most people carefully analyze the real issues involved….? Or do they just accept what they are told?” ~ Awake 2000, 6/22, pg.6 par.10
@ Justin’s CAPS LOCK comment:
With some respect, your writing looks and sounds almost identical to any other radical fundamentalist religious persons’ in that comment. If you changed the name of the religion you were “arguing” for and the name you gave to your god Allah, many readers here may be forgiven for thinking you were a radical Muslim commenting on some anti-Mohammad/islam website decrying the “opposition to god” and justifying his unsavoury world views about jihad and Taliban-style rule. Try reasoning with someone like that and you’ll likely get nothing and nowhere, except probably all-caps and ridiculous unsubstantiated claims based on their set-in-stone, yet [mostly] falsifiable beliefs.
I, for one, know I only would’ve been further convinced by your comment(s) that WT believers aren’t actually very critically minded or broad thinking people… if I hadn’t already come to think that a while ago. But still, thanks for being independent thinking enough to participate in the discussions being had here… If still around, please be sure to add your voice to the survey Cedars has going on.
Peace!
@ Justin’s CAPS LOCK comment:
With some respect, your writing looks and sounds almost identical to any other radical fundamentalist religious persons’ in that comment. If you changed the name of the religion you were “arguing” for and the name you gave to your god Allah, many readers here may be forgiven for thinking you were a radical Muslim commenting on some anti-Mohammad/islam website decrying the “opposition to god” and justifying his unsavoury world views about jihad and Taliban-style rule. Try reasoning with someone like that and you’ll likely get nothing and nowhere, except probably all-caps and ridiculous unsubstantiated claims based on their set-in-stone, yet [mostly] falsifiable beliefs.
I, for one, know I only would’ve been further convinced by your comment(s) that WT believers aren’t actually very critically minded or broad thinking people…if I hadn’t already come to think that a while ago.
But still, nice that you were independent thinking enough to participate in the discussions being had here.
Peace!
Re “if there’s any hate you perceive coming from the world, it’s because of Watchtower Society’s leadership actions and policies; not hatred towards Witnesses.”
I wanted to back up this point – in many instances at least, it is clear that the radical, or irrational, ideas and interpretations of scripture, right back to the early leaders of the WT (such as J. Rutherford and N. Knorr), caused much of the difficulty with secular governments, and not particularly because they were trying to follow the teachings of Jesus. The same goes for “persecution” or resistance from the churches- the WT bashed and still bashes them every chance they got/get without being clean themselves**. Do that kind of stuff enough and you’ll sooner or later get the persecution you desire, regardless of your religious affiliation.
**The hypocrisy is there for all to see with the WT’s limited association previously held with the U.N., it’s disasterously covering up pedophillia and obstructing the course of justice for child molesters in the name of “protecting Jehovah’s name” (aka the organisation’s image), development of strong hierarchy structure over rank & file members instead of it beginning and ending with Jesus, and using ATM’s in places of worship to push for more donations- previously done in “christendom’s” churches and subsequently mocked in WT and Awake magazines… just to name a few of the more easy-to-grasp hypocracies :)
Re “if there’s any hate you perceive coming from the world, it’s because of Watchtower Society’s leadership actions and policies; not hatred towards Witnesses.”
I wanted to back up this single point* – in many instances at least, it is clear that the radical, or irrational, ideas and interpretations of scripture, right back to the early leaders of the WT (such as J. Rutherford and N. Knorr), caused much of the difficulty with secular governments, and not particularly because they were trying to follow the teachings of Jesus. The same goes for “persecution” or resistance from the churches- the WT bashed and still bashes them every chance they got/get without being clean themselves**. Do that kind of stuff enough and you’ll sooner or later get the persecution you desire, regardless of your religious affiliation.
*In no way am I supporting the other likely pro-religious aspects of the original comment though.
**The hypocrisy is there for all to see with the WT’s limited association previously held with the U.N., it’s disasterously covering up pedophillia and obstructing the course of justice for child molesters in the name of “protecting Jehovah’s name” (aka the organisation’s image), development of strong hierarchy structure over rank & file members instead of it beginning and ending with Jesus, and using ATM’s in places of worship to push for more donations- previously done in “christendom’s” churches and subsequently mocked in WT and Awake magazines… just to name a few of the more easy-to-grasp hypocracies :)
Jannet, I too would be interested to read over your sources. Almost everything public has some kind of name of which to reference it by- produce some names, be it online or offline please.
If this were the other way around and you were asking for sources, rest assured that we’d be more than happy to present them to you.
i love dat ALEX, soon JEHOVAH will kick people like him out of this wonderful organization.
I am astounded at how many comments this topic has attracted! Where were the JW apologists on the topics of child sexual abuse cover-ups, blood transfusions, etc…ie. the more serious topics? Perhaps JWs could not refute any of those things, and seething with anger they post on this rather insignificant topic, lashing out in whatever pathetic way they can.
I’d say this article attracted witnesses because the page showed up prominently in Google search results when witnesses searched for information about the new bible or similar….then they clicked and started reading this post because it looked informative, and they didn’t know it was going to be skeptical until deeper into the article/page. Then they got angry and blurted some meaningless rhetoric before leaving (and before reading any of the more significant posts on this site.)
We don’t serve any men. Are you serious? They don’t make us do anything. If you don’t agree you’re welcome to leave. Sure if you have family and you are Df’d they will not talk to you because they don’t want the family to associate with one who willfully disobeyed. If we didn’t df people, wouldn’t we be like every other church in the world? Full of sexual immorality, drunkards, etc. Name one church who is not ok with their members having sex before marriage. One step further-if they actually are not ok with it , what do they actually do about it? We are truly no part of the world. What other church can say that?
It’s the only organization in the world to run strictly by volunteers and donations. All churches pass a plate for money so their preachers can live well; they scare people with the hellfire doctrine to keep them coming back. I know many JW’s who have had preachers admit that they don’t believe what they’re teaching-just a job to them. I am not one of JW’s because I’m scared not to be. I am one because I love Jah and know without a doubt that he is using this organization to spread the truth about him and the future for the earth & people. Btw, I got baptized when I was 14 and it was my idea. I told my parents that’s what I wanted to do. I’ve also been Df’d and came back. I think if you don’t believe it then just move on and quit wasting your time talking about us. Do you really think you’re going to change peoples lives with your blog?
Actually Lmr, have you viewed the Prodigal Son Returns? (jw.org) You will find that the bad association came from within the congregation. The congregations are filled with people living double lives because they cannot just walk away without being cut off from their families. So they stay, hiding, and live a lie. I have witnessed it many times. All the children in my congregation were bad association for my daughter. It is a “shark infested ocean I don’t want to swim in”. I know JW elders who admit they don’t believe what they teach. That makes them no different to the hypocritical ministers of religion. Further, fear incited by Armageddon “just being around the corner” keeps JWs in. That is no different to Christendom, and the teaching that only JWs will be saved, is as reprehensible as the eternal hellfire teaching, and not in accord with our loving heavenly Father’s justice.
Lmr says: “All churches….scare people with the hellfire doctrine to keep them coming back.”
Well, Lmr, it is true that the “hellfire” doctrine has been utilized to instill fear in people. However, with all due respect, in the light of your concern about the religious use of fear mongering tactics, how would you categorize the following statements made by “governing body” member Anthony Morris?:
“And now its just very, very concerning for me. You see I was in Vietnam, a medic in that war. Ah, I have seen what happens to humans when they’re mangled….Until you smell human flesh burning from a helicopter crash, people that look like, er, humans like a hot dog on a grill, blackened and splitting open…I know what’s coming at Armageddon. Lotta dead people. Lotta dead people…. when it comes, its gonna be numbing for you. You think seeing a deer mangled on the side of the road from the truck that hit it is upsetting. You see humans like that. So, its gonna be numbing.”
Please listen for yourself at the following youtube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIcQ4IqRKlM&feature=player_detailpage
A Man For All Seasons,
4th generation JW
“A simple man believes every word he hears; a clever man understands the need for proof.” (Prov. 14:15 ~ The New English Bible)
“But do most people carefully analyze the real issues involved….? Or do they just accept what they are told?” ~ Awake 2000, 6/22, pg.6 par.10
Also, Lmr, some additional food for thought on the subject of religious fear mongering and coercion. Please consider the following admonition from “governing body” member Anthony Morris in regards to “teenage baptism”, “salvation”, and a “driver’s license”:
“What will be the disastrous result for those not serving Jehovah? The slain are gonna be from one end of the earth clear to the other end….It’s gonna be very numbing. Lotta dead people….Lotta dead people. Billions. So in view of such warnings the Watchtower said….that you do well to ask yourselves about your children who are old enough to reason….”Will your children….survive this climactic event?”….When they are old enough to reason they cannot get through on your coattail….and like some use to say, “well, I don’t think I’m old enough”, I tell parents, coz we raised sons, we know how it works…er, I say, “well ok”…and one just got a little upset and he was determined. “I’ll tell you what, ‘when you turn 16′”….”er, no driver’s license!” “Oh no, I’m ready!” “I am ready! I know I can handle a car when I’m 16!” “But you can’t dedicate your life and get baptized, huh?” Now we never force it, but don’t, don’t swallow that business! If they’re old enough…. they’d better do it! They’re not getting in on your coattail when the end comes.”
Please listen to Anthony Morris speak on this subject for yourself at the following youtube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZE0fe0oQ1g
A Man For All Seasons
4th generation JW
“A simple man believes every word he hears; a clever man understands the need for proof.” (Prov. 14:15 ~ The New English Bible)
“But do most people carefully analyze the real issues involved….? Or do they just accept what they are told?” ~ Awake 2000, 6/22, pg.6 par.10
I am laughing out loud reading these comments by those who are still active JW’s. Are you guys for real!? You know the reason why you come to this site so quit bad mouthing those who were smart enough to realize this Organization will not save you, nor obeying the Governing Body! Salvation is your own and nobody else’s!
It’s pretty obvious many of those still in are completely clueless as to what exactly is going on! True brainwashing!
Cult, cult, cult! I just feel terrible for those who feel like they are doing a service to Jehovah when in fact they are really doing it for those 8 men, aka “The Governing Body”
No, only religious nutcases would throw out Disney DVDs because they have “magic” in them. I’m not advocating throwing out anything. I’m just saying all you JW’s are a bunch of nauseating hypocrites.
I once asked my JW relative where Cain’s wife came from, and her response was that people were a lot more pure back then, so basically incest was ok. LOL!! Of course this is also the same JW who tried to tell me that crocodiles used to be vegetarians, and that fossil records show them never having eaten meat thousands of years ago. Maybe if I get a lobotomy I can become a JW. I guess that’s what it takes.
to Justin:
What if…just IF you were to chose between Jesus Christ and the watchtower, what will be your choice?
how that choice will affect your eternal destiny?
Remember:
-The watchtower was set forth/created/organized by a human being like You and Me…
-Jesus Christ came down to rescue us, to reconcile us back to GOD(1). and by his sacrifice, he removed the condemnation ( Rom.5:16,18 ; Rom.8:1) of death that was pending on us, and promised us to be with him (John 12:26).
So my friend, just If a choice is laid before YOU, who will chose? JESUS CHRIST or the Watchtower??
(1) GOD: I am referring to the only one who spoke to Moses thru the burning bush, witch God WE, human beings, had decided to call by the name Jehovah.
We must all work diligently and powerfully to bring down the Satanic Governing Body, of that there is no doubt!
Here man puts himself before Christ yet again!
They are dumb things. They don’t know that their so called ‘boats of safety’ the organization is imploding from within. The era of information withholding and suppression of the of the individual has ended,
thanks to the internet.
You must be joking. You call yourself the Faithful Witness yet are faithless? How do you justify the hypocrisy?
Is that a question for me? Can you please explain what you’re asking me? I’m confused.
Iron Stylus: Maybe I can explain. My faith is in God. I am not faithful to the governing body of Jehovah’s Witnesses, that is true. I rely on the Bible to tell me the truth, and go directly to the Word (Jesus) with my faith. He has provided answers to the questions in my life, and I can find them by reading the bible. Nowhere in the bible, did Jesus command us to rely on a slave to feed us truth. That is absurd.
I am a witness to Jehovah’s Witnesses. I serve God and His purpose that has been given me. I am faithfully watching and witnessing the events taking place in the world, and inside the corrupt organization that is proclaiming itself to be directed by Jehovah God. There are more sides to the story, and I am here to witness and I will testify when called. Christ is Lord. The Governing Body is not appointed by God.
We are in the end times! The end of this system of men ruling over and controlling the lives of millions on earth, is soon to pass. The Watchtower is coming down, and I will be here to witness that event, along with the rest of the world.
How many more lives must be ruined and lost, before we are willing to make a stand? Witness the way the members of the GB puff themselves up with pride, and declarations of their own power over the very lives of millions. One needs only to look at their policies on blood, protecting child molestors, and the shunning of family members, to see the negative impact this group has in the lives of so many who have been injured.
If putting the safety of the “great crowd,” over the interests of the men in power is hypocritical, then I am exactly that. Where is your faith? In God, in men, in yourself?
what is he suppose to do? stand on his head and yell out to the crowd, hey look over here?! or do his best to relate the info that so many people jw or not have been accustomed. we all go to the store for a new phone or ipad, and what do you see? a display! and someone helping you learn what your looking at.
please note: opposers will do us no lasting harm.
Many while seating in front of their computers, wish or think that Jehovah’s people will soon come to an end. That the organisation will soon grand to a stop. Note please that Hitller and many others wished and wanted the same. The same thing high priest Anas told the jews when advising them abt Christain set. If the organistn is man made, Jehovah’s witnesses should have vanished from the scene, you well know that. But consistently, the wishers get extinct themselves on the long run. With all the whole good the org. Has accomplised and continued to, yet enemies of God continued to wish bad.
One thing are escaping the memory of those who open web site to paint JW black. Soon though, all the rubish in all websites that are against the witnesses will be of no use. Its true that some might be stumbled now if any self, about the subtle lies in these sites, but seeing that all these sites are just repeating the same subtle topics to raise question for doubt, all JW will soon get over all this nonsense in all these sites to the point that they will only be laughing at the insensibility of the critics as well as educated and first degree appostates. It is as the result of the turment we are giving all those having the symbolic mark of the wild beast through the preaching work that they are crying and wishing that the organistion may vanish.lol. For example, JW’s act of disfelloshiping is rooted in the scriptures. 2 thess 3:14. 1 cor 5:9-13. Etc. The problem is that, since the so-called Christains have gone offcourse and the true worship have been mixed with false pagan worship, today, it will look strange to them seeing JW going back to the ways of the early Christains. So it is not supprising that people term us unChristain and false organisation only becus we are trying to immitate Christ not Constantine. We all as organisation have already gotten over the so-called criticisms and soon we all as individuals will soon get over it and continue to move on. Opposers will do us no lasting harm.
The Governing Board speaks to Jehovah or Jesus? Did Jehovah tell them to change his words or Jesus.
also let me ask: are you a homosexual? Sorry, because i know that many catholics are and its being legalised in many churches of theirs. Earlier you pope said that Atheist and unbelievers do not need to believed in God to gain salvation, jus follow your concience. Ok then, what about john 3:16 ? He had refuded to condemn homosexuals. He want to reform the church, but is he reformed himself? Why does the church need reform? Pls mr Catholic if i were you i will not even talk while people are talking.
ihe: I have a hard time understanding your text. Are you from a foreign land?
Please define Christain.
The phony “judge” who was a self-appointed “judge”, named Judge Rutherford, wrote a nice letter to Adolf Hitler, basically agreeing with him on the Jewish problem, and sucking up to him just in case Hitler won the war. The letter can be found easily online.
Of course this is the same “judge” Rutherford who built a palace for himself near San Diego, and said it was for Isaac, Adam and some of the others when they come back, but in the meantime Judge Rutherford will live in it. Hahahaha. What a con man. And the con continues….
The WTB&TS fraudulently made an application and formally joined the United Nations Council. When it was discovered, they were kicked out. When asked why they had joined after all the years of stating the U.N. was Satans visible organization, the WTB&TS responded saying quote: “they had joined in order to get insider information on the U.N. activities etc.etc.
So do they follow people of interest activities on the internet and yes ‘hack’ peoples computers.
He, they are supposed to be real men about it r.v. Is that too much to ask for? A real man to get the job done. Not some guy that sits in the shadows, afraid of eight little men that have no power of you whatsoever. Only waht you give them.
These guys all still go to meetings, go door to door, go to assemblies, read the litterature, make their kids read and study and preach this litterature…what do ou mean, what are they supposed to do?
Surely you jest.
Now, I hope cedars isn’t off trying to get the eight little gb men to sit down with him and discuss fraud! ROFLOL. Surely they will want his name and rank.
Oh and Vince, the exjw lifestyle is not for the weak. E for effort though!
~skally~
The WTB&TS said, when confronted with the fact that they joined a U.N. organization, that the only reason they joined was to have access to the U.N. libraries for research. Nice try! In response to this, the U.N. sent out a letter stating that you do not have to join any U.N. organization to use any of their libraries, you just have to ask for permission. Couldn’t the WTB&TS think of a better lie? They are so good at lying about other things, they are experts at the art of deception, I guess this time they had very little wiggle room and had to come up with something pathetic. Haha.
Further to our dialogue did you know that the WTB&TS advocates or teaches it’s followers that’s it’s O.K. to ‘lie’ to absolutely anyone or authority if it’s in the the best interests of the society organization; and or, to ‘protect’ basic individuals and/or the organization. In other words, the ‘the end justifies the means’. Do some research and check/verify what l’ve just commented on.
(ha ha, ha ha)
I began a study of the bible at the age of 9 with a brother from the local Kingdom Hall.Prior to this I had a fear of what would happen if my mother died.not knowing where she would be or if I would ever see her again was terrifying. What a pleasure it was to learn the truth, about Jesus sacrifice, and the hope we all have for the future, potentially everlasting life on a paradisaic earth just like his original purpose was for our original father Adam and all his children. I believe that the majority of religons today, ( that use the bible as a basis for there authority), teach that when we die we go to heaven, or we go to a fiery place of torment;confusing. This teaching has never seem logical to me. Why would yhwh(almighty god) go to the effort of making this beautiful place and not eventually restore it to the way he originally planed for perfect human beings rev 21:3,4. Why do the majority of mainstream Christianity religons support going to war with our fellow human beings of all races.When Paul cut the ear off of one of the roman soldiers who was about to arrest Jesus with his sword, he told peter to return his sword, and he said clearly” those who live by the sword die by the sword”. The same goes for voting for the governments for the country you reside in. Jesus could have set up a government during his time on earth but he stated” my kingdom is no part of this world”. In my opinion a true follower of god follows the teachings of his son Jesus Christ. “This world is passing away and so is it’s desire,but who ever does the will of god remains forever”.the hypocracy of mainstream religion is clear and abundant.” The meek and righteous will possess the Earth and they will find exquisite delight in an abundance of peace” what an exiting promise from our Heavenly Father!To the narrator of this forum, I do understand you questioning some of the gb guidelines and or statements over the years, specifically stating and interpreting when Armageddon will come. I myself have questioned these things. The disciples in Mathew 24 were confused about jesus eventual return, one advantage they had in understanding was Christ was right there in there presence. I believe that the gb was not trying to purposely mislead anybody, I think the anticipation of Christ prophecy is so exciting that the gb was trying to convey how close we are to the end, such like the disciples in Mathew 24. This in my opinion does not make the interpretation false, god knows the hearts of all men including the gb. As to the shunning of my siblings who are not Jehovah’s witnesses, I never felt that the gb or the elders of my congregation conveyed that it was wrong to associate with my family members. I believe that there have been instances where elders in the congregation have been way out of line in dealing with punishment of some members. The apostle Paul had to reprimand elders in the early Christian congregation.i personally dealt with a situation with some elders in my own congregation . I believed the presiding overseer was wrong, it hurt and I stopped going to the kh shortly thereafter I was 32. Sadly this elder was disfellowshipped a few years later. God is not one to be mocked, whatever a sower is sowing this he shall also reap. God is patient, he takes care of things in his time.we may feel we have been victimized, but god will make sense of things for us when he is ready, we need to be humble and patient.i think that you have missed the point sir.If everyone in the world practiced what Jehovah’s witnesses were taught this world would be a very peaceful place. I can honestly say that there isn’t another religon on this earth that is as Christianly unified as Jehovah’s witnesses. I believe Jehovah smiles at his witnesses as they make his heart rejoice. By the way I haven’t been to the kh in 15 years. I hope you find peace with your struggles. I don’t judge you, or anyone for that matter, peace brother.
Oh now now Gazza. Let’s not get all hot under the collar. Nobodys’ hating you. I remember when I was a Witness and I also believed in this scripture,put it this way.As a newbie to the witness work this scripture was emphasized over and over again so we wouldnt loose our zeal for being rejected on the doorstep.
Seriously,most people dont like being woken early on a saturday after a hard week at the grinding wheel and woken by someone going through the motions of handing out uninspired wtbts liturature in thier face.
It’s not rocket science Garry..Its not Jehovah most people reject , it’s your self rightous , holier than thou attitude which is a small reflection of your leaders at the WTBTS….Go figure friend before it’s too late..Brotherly love ..Anthony
Heath Ledger would greatly benefit from the resurrection into a New World without sickness, death, or tears. Rev.21:3,4
Titus 3:10 “As for a man who promotes a sect, reject him after a first and a second admonition, 11 knowing that such a man has deviated from the way and is sinning and is SELF-condemned.” Romans 16:17 “Now I urge you, brothers, to keep your eye on those who create divisions and causes for stumbling contrary to the teaching that you have learned, and avoid them.”