The Governing Body is sliding to new depths of self-adulation
The Governing Body is sliding to new depths of self-adulation

One of my final and most bizarre experiences as a Jehovah’s Witness came in November 2011 when I attended my father’s graduation ceremony for MTS (or “Bible School for Single Brothers,” as it was by then known).

Sitting in such a large audience of Witnesses despite having awoken from my indoctrination was itself surreal. But especially peculiar was a feature on the graduation program that had been absent during my own MTS graduation six years earlier.

One of the students stood on the stage and read out a letter of thanks, composed by the class, to the Governing Body. Maybe I was the only one in the audience to be bemused by this, but then I knew a little more about the school than most, having been through it myself.

You see, the program for all elements of the now-defunct Bible School for Single Brothers (including its MTS predecessor) was laid out by the Teaching Committee of the Governing Body.

Jesus is quoted as condemning the pharisees for their proud, haughty attitude
Jesus is quoted as condemning the pharisees for their proud, haughty attitude

What was essentially happening before my very eyes was this: the Governing Body were making the students of this school, my father included, give them thanks for providing it.

The whole thing reminded me of Christ’s observations about the pharisees. In Matthew 6:2 he urged his disciples: “So when you make gifts of mercy, do not blow a trumpet ahead of you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be glorified by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.”

My father’s graduation was thus a profound experience for me for all the wrong reasons. I hadn’t until that point seen a more obvious example of the Governing Body blowing their own trumpet and glorifying themselves.

Since then it is almost as though each year marks the breaking of some new record in that regard. Just when it seems the Governing Body can’t sink into self-adulation any further, they go right ahead and surpass my expectations.

Sliding into self-obsession

2012 saw the Governing Body out themselves as the “faithful slave” – the sole representatives of God on Earth. A year later they raised their profile among Witnesses still further through a number of clever publicity stunts, most notably the launch of the 2013 edition of the New World Translation.

A special video was also released, ostensibly to promote the new Warwick headquarters, in which all 8 members made appearances.

Geoffrey Jackson releasing the new bible edition last October
Geoffrey Jackson releasing the new bible edition last October

More recently, this winter the Governing Body sunk to new depths in their push for self-glorification with a special one-hour talk outline that was delivered only to pioneers and missionaries through December and January. The theme? “Remember Those Who Are Taking the Lead Among You and Imitate Their Faith.”

I first heard about this outline a few weeks ago when some of the text was leaked on the Ex-JW Reddit community and elsewhere, but I decided to hold off on writing an article until I had seen a copy for myself.

Now, thanks to another Watchtower insider who has bravely stepped forward, I have a PDF of the outline and have been able to verify that the rumours were true. The Governing Body’s egotism in this document is simply breathtaking.

“Imitate us!”

The outline starts off with five-minute opening remarks in which Paul’s words at Hebrews 13:7 are discussed, as quoted in the theme. The following application is then given…

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It is beyond any reasonable doubt that the Governing Body are indeed “taking the lead” among Witnesses. Whether they have a mandate to do so aside from a self-proclaimed one is another matter entirely.

Certainly no scripture is given to support the brazen supposition offered by the words: “Jesus has placed a weighty responsibility on the Governing Body.” This is because, apart from the convoluted “new light” about Matthew 24:45, no such bible verse is available.

A 10-minute section then follows, entitled “Imitate their faith as the scene of the world is changing.” Drawing on Paul’s words at 1 Corinthians 7:31, the writers explain how the “ever changing” world scene requires that the “faithful and discreet slave make adjustments from time to time in our preaching methods, use of resources, and understanding.” In doing so, they (the Governing Body) are said to “follow Jesus Christ’s example and wisely adapt to changes.”

Pioneers and missionaries are then reminded of the need to imitate their dear leaders in three main areas: (1) preaching methods, (2) Bible reading, and (3) use of resources…

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“Imitate our preaching methods”

Governing Body members are by no means renowned for their preaching work
Governing Body members are by no means renowned for their preaching work

The first area of imitation is perhaps the most baffling.

Aside from the occasional publicity shot showing a Governing Body member going door-to-door, personal preaching activity is not something the “faithful slave” are individually renowned for.

The next 17-minute section of the outline on “preaching methods” is thus a rather hollow one. The faithful slave is lauded for indicating that the house-to-house ministry is “our primary way of spreading the good news.”

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A rather bemusing question is then asked…

Untitled-2One could easily imagine the deafening silence in the pioneer meeting if the first part of the above question were to be read out without the latter. After all, how CAN pioneers imitate the Governing Body’s approach to the preaching work based on nothing more than a handful of photo-opportunities?

A second question is thus needed to reassure pioneers that the Governing Body members at least provide “suggestions” for overcoming preaching obstacles, even if they are seemingly above giving practical demonstrations.

A “do as I say, not as I do” approach.

“Imitate our Bible reading”

A second area of imitation is then addressed…

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It is noteworthy that, not just reading the Bible is stressed in this section, but keeping “up to date with new Bible understanding.”

To put this another way, by accepting the “new light” on the scriptures dreamt up by the Governing Body without question we are following their example.

Make sense of that, if you can.

“Imitate our use of resources”

The third and final area of imitation is, for me, the most astounding – as it will be for any who know a little of the Governing Body’s property schemes over the past few months.

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The section starts with an entirely false proposition, namely that the Governing Body are selling property in Brooklyn and moving their headquarters to Warwick because they are “not sentimentally attached to material things.”

Watchtower has made over a billion from selling off its Brooklyn real estate
Watchtower has made over a billion from selling off its Brooklyn real estate

In making this statement, the Governing Body relies on pioneers and missionaries to be oblivious to the fact that Watchtower has pocketed over a billion dollars from selling off its Brooklyn portfolio, while the cost of the new headquarters at Warwick has been estimated at a mere $11.5 million.

If you don’t believe me, click on this link to a third-party New York real estate website and scroll down to the section headed “Jehovah’s Witnesses.”

With this in mind, for the Governing Body to have the audacity to brag that they are spurning material things by moving to Warwick instead of amassing an eye-watering fortune for Watchtower is simply beyond comprehension.

Their statement is nothing short of shameless deception – made even more nauseating by the fact that it is aimed at further hoodwinking hard-working pioneers and missionaries into pursuing lives of austerity and servitude.

The bizarre self-congratulatory remarks on the Governing Body’s use of technology and how this fulfils prophecy in Isaiah will also leave many scratching their heads. But frankly it all pales into insignificance when compared with the shameful preceeding  comments about Warwick.

“Get ready for the great tribulation”

A minute is alloted for the outline to be wrapped up with a reminder to pioneers that their obedience is all the more important because the end is nigh.

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Having spent a total of eight years pioneering, I have sat through a number of these pioneer meeting outlines. I have even helped deliver one during my brief stint as an elder. But I have never seen such an overt piece of propaganda, in which the Governing Body has not only praised their achievements but encouraged their followers to be more like them.

And I find the comments on “use of resources,” which are so blatantly misleading to anyone who knows anything about the Warwick project and the Brooklyn sales, extremely troubling.

Whenever someone’s motives or character are brought into question, I always try as much as possible to give that person (or persons) the benefit of the doubt. Just because someone does something evil, does not necessarily make that person evil. It could simply be that they are deluded or otherwise oblivious to what they are doing.

This has been my approach thus far whenever I see injustice or harm brought about by the Governing Body’s words or actions.

But when I see such blatant misrepresentation of the facts, shrouded in self-praise and adulation, things become a little different. It becomes harder to excuse a group of men who exude all the hallmarks, not just of ignorant delusion, but of arrogance and dangerous calculated deception aimed at enforcing control and subservience.

It may be that there remain individuals on the Governing Body who can be excused as well-meaning but essentially misguided simpletons who have bought into their own publicity. But it is increasingly beyond doubt that, when this group of men act as one, the end product is often far from something to be imitated or admired.

 

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Further reading…

If you require a copy of the meeting outline in question, please email us and let us know.

86 thoughts on “The Self-praising Slave: Governing Body tells pioneers to be like them

  • February 25, 2014 at 5:51 pm
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    I stopped attending meetings last May after Watchtower on faithful slave was published, when the Governing Body stood up and said, “We are definitely the faithful and discreet slave.” What presumptuousness. Jesus said HE appoints them on his coming when they have proved faithful. The humble, Christ like personality is definitely lacking isn’t it among these arrogant, self assuming men? I have been a witness for thirty years and still find it hard to believe that I have been conned. I have found out so much through research to prove them to be deceitful liars. I want to shout it from the rooftops! Keep up the good work Cedars. Remember you are better off without them. One day I hope they will have their reward for misleading so many innocent folks.

  • February 25, 2014 at 5:55 pm
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    I would like to formally ask the governing body to wash my feet.

  • February 25, 2014 at 6:07 pm
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    I can honestly say that I am no better than anyone else and a dam site worse than most. They describe themselves as the ‘faithful slave’ however, according to their own insights, that appointment is yet for the future. How’s that for arrogance b4 God?

  • February 25, 2014 at 6:21 pm
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    There’s a saying up north.
    ‘Don’t p on my back and tell me it’s raining’

  • February 25, 2014 at 7:10 pm
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    In the outline, the word “Slave” appears 8 times, “governing body” appears 6 times and Jesus’ name appears a measly 3 times. So much for Jesus being the head of the congregation.

  • February 25, 2014 at 8:12 pm
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    Thanks for providing this outline. But I’m confused. My family and I are in a Portuguese congregation in Canada. But the regular pioneers were told that the meeting was no longer being held. Is there a letter to indicate that the meeting would no longer be held or was it optional.

  • February 25, 2014 at 8:22 pm
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    They(GB) tell others to imitate them yet they cant show any noteworthy example in the field ministry. Totally misleading info provided by the GB.

  • February 25, 2014 at 8:35 pm
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    I think the governing body is keeping most of the money for themselves and when things start to turn really bad for the organization they will abandon their followers and disappear.

  • February 25, 2014 at 9:23 pm
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    Wow! What a great article. You are gifted with great perception and analytical skills. Thank you for exposing the self-appointed Slave. It is simply unbelievable how haughty and pharisaical they’ve become. They’re looking forward to leaving the polluted and noisy city and enjoying their new extravagant compound. Hypocrites!

  • February 26, 2014 at 2:26 am
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    What a great example to imitate?!

    Let’s compound the suffering of abuse victims by refusing to involve the secular authorities, and refusing to assist in prosecutions.

    Let’s counsel domestic abuse victims to stay with the abusing partner, so they can be won over without a word.

    Let’s mark people in the congregation that we feel are bad associations, but never bother to tell them about it.

    Let’s believe in things that are simply not true, just because an ancient book says it happened.

    When this religion finally disintegrates, and it will, historians will be fascinated how millions of people could follow such a ridiculous and dangerous religion.

    Peace be with you

    Excelsior!

    • February 26, 2014 at 2:38 am
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      I agree totally:

      The fact that religions can be so shamelessly dishonest, so contemptuous of the intelligence of their adherents, and still flourish does not speak very well for the tough- mindedness of the believers. But it does indicate, if a demonstration was needed, that near the core of the religious experience is something remarkably resistant to rational inquiry.
      [Carl Sagan, Broca’s Brain]

  • February 26, 2014 at 3:51 am
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    A new letter was read last night about a US branch visit this year in November. All of the gb will be giving talks and it will be broadcast around whole country. This is definitely a new breed of gb compared with the past. I think they are loving the spotlight.

  • February 26, 2014 at 7:00 am
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    My parents are pioneer’s and my mom really truly believes that Armageddon is coming in October the only contact they have with me is to tell me that i really need to get reinstated or me and my kids are going to die it’s insane that they believe anything that the GB say like it’s coming from Jesus and they say I’m the one with mental problems lol

    • February 26, 2014 at 7:25 am
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      Wow, they still believe the end is coming in October of 1975?…I’m kidding but after all the years inside the WT people don’t think by themselves any more. My brother commented several times about the UN attacking the Catholic church over the pedophilia incidents. But he never mention the ones in the organization. They’re duped beyond return !

  • February 26, 2014 at 7:29 am
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    Cedars,

    Interesting analysis as always!

    Did you know that picture of Sam Herd “out in service” is not only obviously staged, but heavily photoshopped?

    There are many suspicious things about that particular picture, all of which is bizarre because it wouldn’t be that hard to have taken a real one!

    • February 26, 2014 at 7:47 am
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      Although history never repeats itself in every detail, is the JW outfit reverting, partly to original type? Russell and Rutherford were flashy showmen, but Knorr was the almost anonymous bureaucrat followed by an even more discreet committee. Maybe this flamboyant lark will lead to open dissent. How many of the ‘sacred eight’ will want to continue in the chorus line when they could be cast in a starring role?

  • February 26, 2014 at 7:42 am
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    Every one of the 19th-21st century ‘new light’ religions will be interesting fodder for future historians and physchologists.

    Early 1800’s saw the rise of Joseph Smith (Mormons) and his golden tablets, Charles Miller (Seventh Day Adventists) and his interpretations of the bible book of Daniel, Charles Taze Russell and his own spin on Daniel and the pyramids of Giza, all coming to life during this two hundered year span.

    A great majority of the modern christian sects, divisions, denominations, all having sprung from these charismatic religious seers.

    I call this religious movement the PT Barnum era of religious development. He was a master at drawing attention to himself and his work. During this period of world wide industrial revolution and universal interest in the occult and spiritualisim, the ground was well fertilized for almost any charlatan or even sincerely dellusioned religious leader to make a big splash.

    In Smiths and Russell’s case 14,000,000 and 8,000,000 human souls are still to this day being influenced by their musings.

    What a story of mankinds inability to exercise their own brain cells, when faced with promises of eternal life, or an end to turmoil and strife. The evidence is clear, we humans love to be entertained with false hopes and promises that deep down we know have no basis in facts or proof of any kind.

  • February 26, 2014 at 9:17 am
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    Was God’s spirit at all involved in the several meetings these 8 men conducted, wherein they bestowed upon themselves the title of ‘the faithful and discreet slave’?

    Did God inspire these puny men, to without even a semblance of humble posturing, take away over 100 years of bible ‘truths’ which identified that ‘slave’ as made up of tens of thousands of ‘anointed remnant’ alive at this time?

    The genuflecting (bible verse reading) and bowed heads (group prayer) aside, what proof can they offer that these new interpretions have the slightest bit to do with them or even Jesus parable, spoken some 2,000 years ago.

    The absurdity of Jesus uttering a lesson that could be embraced by those who heard the very words spoken, and ultimately apply to every succeeding generation to come…and with the wave of 8 mere men pronouce that his words did not have any meaning until the drunkard and womanizer Jospeh Franklin Rutherford was released from jail for treasous writings in his book ‘The Finished Mystery’ is so far fetched, so ludicrous, it is hard to imagine even 8 severely cult indoctrinated men could make such conclusions stick. But the amazing thing is, they did just that.

    How can they after making such decisions for God himself, not tout themselves as ‘the ones to emulated’? They now must carry through and perform as God’s own chosen, they cannot perform as humble sinners not worthy of God or mans adulation…they have to believe their own manufactured press releases!

  • February 26, 2014 at 9:17 am
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    Follow the lead of the GB in Bible reading and study? They have deceived the brothers by changing times and seasons to suit themselves. History and archaeology support the year 597 for the destruction of Jerusalem. The GB prefer to keep the old Russellite teaching of 607 in line with his pyramid obsession, and 1914. Every date in relation to this period has been doctored in their publications to fit in with 607, I am having difficulty in finding just one slip up! Perhaps the ‘old chap JTR’ is still in charge?? Of course if the witnesses are not allowed to look at anything else but jw.org they will never find the truth. Please, please, if there are any jw’s reading this, just look up some info on Nebuchadnezzar on the web and then compare the dates with the ‘Insight Book’ on the same subject. After 30 years in ‘the truth’ I still can’t believe how I have been conned. Needless to say, I don’t go to meetings anymore. It is classic mind control. Just a side point, if the correct historical dates are used, they DO agree with the Bible. Keep up the good work Cedars. One day we will all be free!

  • February 26, 2014 at 9:35 am
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    OOPS, sorry, I meant 587 for the destruction of Jerusalem. Must get it right!

  • February 26, 2014 at 10:02 am
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    Soon the GB will be riding around in pimped-up popemobiles. (Coming to a major city near you)

  • February 26, 2014 at 3:23 pm
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    Matthew 20:25-27 (NWTv13)
    But Jesus called them to him and said: “You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them and the great men wield authority over them. 26 This must not be the way among you; but whoever wants to become great among you must be your minister, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave…”

    This is the most powerful slave in the history of the world.

    Since when does a slave:
    – Make speeches on a stage to gain adoration from the masses,
    – Broadcast videos of THEMSELVES across the globe,
    – Demand unquestioning obedience to themselves,
    – Have no accountability for their actions or words,
    – Make up new rules as often as they see fit,
    – Refuse to answer direct questions about their own rules,
    – Make other people subject to themselves,
    – Do whatever it takes to maintain their own power?

    Is this the behavior that pioneers are supposed to imitate?
    What would happen if a lowly pioneer did any of these things?

    Nowhere did Jesus instruct his followers to find a slave and follow after it. The GB serves itself.

    Soon, they will publish a “clarification” on what it actually means to be a slave. Evidently, an adjustment needs to be made to the dictionary definition:
    slave [sleyv]
    noun
    1. a person who is the property of and wholly subject to another; a bond servant.
    2. a person entirely under the domination of some influence or person: a slave to a drug.
    3. a drudge: a housekeeping slave.

    • February 26, 2014 at 3:29 pm
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      discreet
      dɪˈskriːt/
      adjective
      1.
      careful and prudent in one’s speech or actions, especially in order to keep something confidential or to avoid embarrassment.
      “we made some discreet inquiries”
      synonyms: careful, circumspect, cautious, wary, chary, guarded, close-lipped, close-mouthed; More

  • February 26, 2014 at 6:25 pm
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    They say – “Jesus has placed a weighty responsibility on the governing body. That responsibility includes overseeing material assets…” – Where in the bible does it go on about Jesus fussing about ‘material assets’. These guys are all about the money and the power trip they get.
    As for setting an example in the ministry, what a load of rubbish. I don’t recall any of the elders in my old congregation spending much time in field service. And I don’t believe any of those old coots are out preaching either.

  • February 26, 2014 at 9:05 pm
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    Of course they should be like the (K)GB. Some of them are just 20 years or less from being the next generation that represents the next mouthpiece of the kingdom of Yahweh (I mean Christ).

    Honestly Cedars you should focus on how they change policy just when a group is old enough not to leave, or to death, and just when the current group is young enough not to truly grasp the past. Which is hidden.

    For example, with the current “generation overlaps generation” manure, the people who were old enough to remember what it used to mean will be dying, and the younger ones will never know because they’ll cut off the WT library at 1985. Like they cut it off at 1950 now.

  • February 27, 2014 at 8:16 am
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    Good point about the WT library. So Rutherford was the first ‘discreet slave'(laughable to even type out such nonsense), nonsense aside, they proclaim da judge to be the very first ‘faithful slave’ to appear since Jesus and the apostles, then go right on and literally restrict easy access to any of his “faithful and discreet” writings.

    They already rid their KH libraries of old embarassing publications, so by cutting off the cd’s to 1950 they have removed almost all traces of God’s chosen mouthpiece for the years 1919-1950.

    The judge was hand picked by Jesus, but we need to cover up all the evidence of what Jesus said through him. Can any jw explain away such duplicitous and hypocritical posturing? You cannot.

    • February 27, 2014 at 12:50 pm
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      This is exactly the question I posed to my parents!

      If they are going to claim that Jesus came and approved of what they were doing in the years leading up to 1914, finished inspecting their work and made that grand appointment in 1919… Why are you not permitted to research exactly what was being published during those years?

      It just makes no sense to me. July 15, 2013 Watchtower, in the article, “Look! I am with you all the days!” in paragraph 7, it says:
      “7 When Jesus began his inspection, what did he find? A small group of zealous Bible Students who for well over 30 years had given their strength and fortunes to pursue a vigorous preaching campaign. * What a joy it must have been for Jesus and the angels to find that those relatively few but sturdy wheat stalks had not been choked by Satan’s weeds! Still, there arose a need to “cleanse the sons of Levi,” the anointed ones. (Mal. 3:2, 3; 1 Pet. 4:17) Why so?

      * From 1910 to 1914, the Bible Students distributed nearly 4,000,000 books and over 200,000,000 tracts and pamphlets.”

      If Jesus was so pleased by the 200 million tracts and 4 million books, why have they been removed from the KH libraries? They should be proudly displayed as proof of their Divine appointment! I’m so confused… What did Christ approve… the spiritual food they were distributing at that time must have been the real truth.

  • February 27, 2014 at 1:26 pm
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    In the KH I used to go to, there is a Finished Mystery book and some of the 19th century WT volumes (incl the first issue of 1879) in the library. Naughty, naughty- old light.

    I showed my father-in-law the bit in the Finished Mystery book about Nahum’s apparent vision of the steam locomotive. His response was, ‘it’s good that we have a better understanding now’. I said, ‘but this was the main spiritual food around the 1919 period when Jesus appointed his slave for providing nourishing spiritual food for his people’. He said, ‘I don’t want to hear you criticizing the org’. End of conversation.

    • February 27, 2014 at 3:46 pm
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      “I don’t want to hear you criticizing the org”… ??? How incredibly sad… :(

      My father made a similar statement to our entire family, as he was making his stand, by taking sides with my sister.

      “My top priority in life is to be a good Jehovah’s Witness. I hope you have noticed positive changes in me.”

      What??? I asked him, “Are you serving Jehovah God, or are you serving an organization?” (no reply)

      I won’t comment about the “positive changes” we have noticed in his new personality. :/

  • February 27, 2014 at 8:40 pm
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    I might add that someone found this 1917 print of the Finished Mystery book at a dump and gave it to my Father-in-Law. I didn’t tell him this, but I thought it at the time, that it should have been left there undisturbed.

  • February 28, 2014 at 12:10 am
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    WOW yobec, you just hit the nail on the head! Great job, I couldn’t have said it any better. Now that…is THE TRUTH.

  • February 28, 2014 at 12:03 pm
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    If all the trees that have been sacrificed on the alter of the Watchtower Publishing history, were resurrected the earth would be restored to ‘paradise’ overnight!

    Or at the very least they would be on their way to the status of ‘old growth’ and be kindly spared the cut of chain saws.

  • March 3, 2014 at 12:02 am
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    Hang on, maybe the class decided to thank the GB without any prompting. Maybe it wasn’t part of the program to thank the GB, but they decided of their own initiative to do it. Could that have been the case? I find it hard to believe there would have been instructions in the school program to publicly thank the GB.

    • March 3, 2014 at 12:47 am
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      No, trust me Julia, it was part of the program the class was required to follow. I’m pretty sure the letter of thanks even replaced the class resolution from my own MTS, but I would rather not be dogmatic about that.

  • March 3, 2014 at 7:00 pm
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    You are either an apostate, a hater, or a miss informed and puffed up with pride. From my own understanding, u never took your time to learn the truth about jw.org. U are only interested in making your personal misleading loose talks known to genuin people. I feel bad for… Get a job and pay your bills instead of gossipping like an old woman.

    • March 3, 2014 at 8:31 pm
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      Thank you Jay, for warning us that, by reading this blog, we may become misinformed.

      Be so kind as to enlighten us and point out any errors, that we may not become misled.

      It appears, Jay, that you may be a faithful, believing and practising Jehovah’s Witness. I understand that the authority of the Jehovah’s Witness Governing Body rests upon their claim to being ‘The Faithful and Discreet Slave’, as referred to by Jesus in Matthew 24.

      I have asked many Jehovah’s Witnesses to supply evidence in support of this claim. None has been able to. Without evidence the entire credibility of the Watchtower Organisation as God’s exclusive earthly mouthpiece evaporates.

      As a true believer, Jay, I am sure you will be pleased to enlighten us all with convincing evidence, that we may benefit from learning the real Truth about Jehovah’s Kingdom and will not be in danger of being misled by apostates.

      I await your explanation with interest.

  • March 3, 2014 at 7:30 pm
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    “You are either an apostate, a hater, or a miss informed and puffed up with pride.”

    This shoot the messenger response by a ‘faithful’, ‘christian witness’, who obviously wears the ‘new personality’ as instructed by the apostles of Jesus, is a prime example of why so many are recognizing that the Watchtower has failed to live up to it’s mandate to teach even the basic ‘fruitage of God’s spirit to it’s members.

    They are lashing out in sheer frustration, having not one defense for the conduct they themselves witness thier human leaders displaying. This response is very typical of the modern jw, so far removed from both ‘spirity’ and truth.

    • March 3, 2014 at 11:37 pm
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      Very well said, I was going to react but reading your reply, it’s not necessary, you said it all.

      Jay, please reconsider the words “hater”, “misinformed”, “puffed up with pride” and even “apostate” … give it an honest thinking …

  • March 6, 2014 at 3:56 am
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    Thanks again, Cedars.

    The bible give explicit instructions for handling premarital sex between single people. The Mosaic Law specifies the penalty: “They will also fine him 100 silver [It only took 30 to buy a slave!] and give them to the young woman’s father [As a bride price], because that man gave an Israelite virgin a bad name. She [if she chooses to marry him], will remain his wife; he cannot divorce her as long as he lives.” There’s no stoning here–just a shotgun wedding.

    That’s a very different penalty from what JWs use for those who have have premarital sex. The Organization seem to ignore this and instead chooses the much more drastic penalty for adultery. That is the case where both parties were to be stoned.

    The bible’s best example of the differences in these laws is that of Mary, the mother of Jesus, who faced being stoned to death by her family and friends because she was a betrothed woman when she was found to be ‘with child’. When Joseph married the obviously pregnant Mary he saved her life, but in so doing he as good as publicly admitted that he’d had had premarital sex with her. (Because he sacrificed his reputation, and most likely a future beyond that of a carpenter, to save her and a baby that was not his, the bible calls Joseph a ‘righteous’ man.)

    Good thing there was no Watchtower Organization back then or they’d both been dead–along with the unborn child.

  • March 6, 2014 at 6:19 pm
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    All this ‘faithful slave’ are doing is putting themselves in the spotlight. They always quote Matthew 24:45-47 as applying to themselves. However further examination of this scripture along with verse 48 seems to indicate that the ‘evil slave’ is the same as the ‘faithful slave’ but who becomes impatient for his masters return and starts to beat his fellow slaves. This is clarified even more on reading the same account in Luke 12:42-45. The latter verses do not use the word ‘evil’ but it is clear that the sentiments are the same. ‘That slave’ in verse 43 is the same as ‘that slave’ in verse 45, I’m sure you will agree. Verse 46 tells us that the master will punish him with the greatest severity. Amen to that!

  • March 28, 2014 at 11:23 am
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    I would go back in a minute and emulate the members of the Governing Body in every way as long as the playing field was even:

    I want a decent sized apartment fully furnished and decorated, with the latest in computer and entertainment equipment.

    I want free food prepared to my tastes by the Watchtower kitchens and their volunteers.

    I want someone to do all of my typing and prepare my speech drafts.

    I want a upscale Buick sedan with all the amenities (or something similar (Cadillac, BMW, Audi, Benz, Infinity, Lexus, Acura will do) and a driver whenever I want to relax and read in the back seat.

    I want free first-class airline, high-speed rail, or cruise ship tickets whenever I travel every month to make an appearance in Athens, Sidney, Tokyo, Seattle, Mexico City, Rio, or Brussells – some other city where more than 20 JWs can come hear me pontificate.

    I want to be able to vote on what other people believe and change my mind and vote whenever I feel like it. Everyone must believe and do as I say as long as I can convince 3 or 4 of my closest friends (some of whom I appointed to their equally lofty positions) to vote along with me.

    Above all – I want to be able to hear the oohs and aahs and the applause from my adoring fans as I both arrive on stage and leave it. The sound of clapping hands feeds me in the most glorious ways. And all the while I can claim that all of that means nothing to me.

    Yeah! And on second thought – forget the Buick and get me the Cadillac…

  • November 15, 2014 at 10:10 am
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    It’s November 15th… did He come? Another silent, spiritual coming?

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