When the JW Broadcasting website was first announced at last year’s annual meeting I immediately relished the prospect of seeing Tony Morris in front of the camera in glorious technicolor for an hour-long show.
I consider myself Tony’s number 1 troll. He is, in my opinion, the most deluded, controversial and intellectually-challenged of all the Governing Body members, and I unashamedly thrive on his misadventures.
As Tony’s train-wreck performance at the 2014 U.S. branch visit showed (which has yet to find a place in the “on demand” section of tv.jw.org), his unguarded rants are an Achilles heel when it comes to exposing the authoritarian, backwards thinking of the Governing Body.
I was nearing the end of my recent stay in Belgium when the news came through that the new January 2015 episode of JW Broadcasting was Tony’s slot. I immediately watched the first 10 minutes with one question on my mind: “Would they let him speak his mind, or would they write his script for him and keep him on a tight leash?”
To watch the Tony Morris presentation without my comments, click here.
I was pleasantly surprised to discover that this was indeed an authentic Tony Morris offering of verbal flatulence of the type other Governing Body members struggle to replicate. Here was a man whose ignorance was on show for all to see; who had no qualms about uttering such ‘pearls’ as…
“If we are in continued association with those who do not believe the same, it can erode our thinking and convictions.”
“It is one thing to work on a job with others, and quite another matter to immerse oneself in an institution of ‘learning’!”
“I have long said: the better the university, the greater the danger. The most intelligent and eloquent professors will be trying to reshape the thinking of your child, and their influence can be tremendous.”
The above three quotes show in a nutshell why Watchtower is so terrified of young Witnesses going to college and university. They know full well that the critical thinking skills gained, which are an essential part of learning, can equip a person to quickly see through their propaganda.
Put simply, education is Watchtower’s enemy. Knowledge is the antidote to their indoctrination techniques.
Nothing spells this out more clearly than the scripture chosen by Tony as a ‘basis’ for the prohibition on higher education. When the Apostle Paul, himself the beneficiary of a good education (or so we are told), spoke about “bad associations spoiling useful habits” he was apparently issuing a call to arms against the Ivy League. (1 Cor. 15:33)
The flimsiness of this scriptural invocation should by itself tell parents and budding students everything they need to know about Watchtower’s motives. Watchtower’s notion of “bad association” in this context is spending time with clever, well-read people who will help you to think for yourself.
But if there is one thing you should never underestimate, it is the potency of Watchtower’s coercion techniques on its indoctrinated prey. And in Tony Morris’ half-hour rant against eduction, these were out in full force.
A classic example can be found between 07:25 and 08:20, where Tony regurgitates a hypothetical scenario (repeated from earlier talks, see video below) in which parents drop off their child to attend university, and enroll him/her at the local kingdom hall only for ‘disaster’ to ensue once the child makes a break for it and starts missing meetings.
“My question is,” bellows an indignant Tony, “who dropped them off at the university?”
Thus the “three F’s” of a Tony Morris talk are deployed:
- FEAR MONGERING – “Let me tell you about a nightmare scenario that could happen to you one day unless you shape up.”
- FINGER POINTING – “Allow me to single out those who fell short of Jehovah’s expectations in this scenario, and who will pay the price for doing so.”
- FAULT FINDING – “Most importantly, here are the main culprits in this whole sad story who bear the most responsibility and need to explain themselves to God.”
- There is a fourth “F” in a quintessential Tony Morris talk, but to spare your blushes I will refrain from telling you it.
As transparent as these methods may be to you and I, it is sad to consider that they will work only too well on Witnesses who are stricken deep within their indoctrination.
As I express in my video rebuttal to Tony’s speech, Watchtower’s prohibition on higher education is an abhorrent manifestation of the organization’s all-encompassing greed and solipsism. To hijack the hope, promise and potential of young people in this grotesque manner by stifling their opportunities and assimilating them into their propaganda machinery as “pioneers” is utterly reprehensible and immoral.
I can only hope that a fortunate few among the ranks of young Witnesses will see straight through Tony’s nasal oratory and seize their chance to make a break for it, and make something of themselves before the opportunity passes them by.
Further reading…
- Friendly Atheist article on Tony’s higher education rant
- Deluded or dangerous? My thoughts on Anthony Morris III following his Rome visit
- After his branch visit performance, is “Tight Pants Tony” now a liability for the Governing Body?
- Watchtower continues crusade against higher education
Related video…
Not all of his faults are intentional. Apparently he tried out his foreign language skills at a spanish convention, and only afterwards did he find out that his multiple attempts to say “mother” actually translated to “breasts.” I guess the Holy Spirit was too busy finding someone’s car keys to help him out.
“Out of the heart’s abundance….” ;)
I’ve known several J,Ws, who were window cleaners,
It’s the only career to get them off the bottom rung.
I’m still not 100% certain that Tony Morris isn’t some kind of covert apostate sleeper agent, carefully infiltrated into the GB over a period of decades by ExJw activists in order to bring down cult from the inside.
Operation ShadowSpanx is a go…
Good old dependable Tight Pants Tony!
If there is a possibility to explicitly demonstrate that the WTBTS is a cult – Tony Morris the third will find it!
Other, less able members of the governing body find it difficult to make the cult mechanisms so evident. They are working hard to improve, but they just lag behind.
His hectoring, nasal delivery reminds me of the former Vice President, Dick Chaney.
The great thing is that he is still being allowed to rant unscripted and uncensored! It’s fantastic!
Anthony Morris III is the greatest recruitment sergeant for apostates ever. His unloving, judgemental, ignorant talks are a strident example of what the WTBTS’ “new personality” really is.
Long may he speak unhindered!
Peace be with you, Excelsior!
He truly is a guy who believes it is his job to grow the organisation at all costs, but for witnesses who have been taken in mentally by this cult, he is a dangerous man.
We can only hope that the crazier and desperate the governing body get, the more witnesses will realize they have been misled in a very big way.
Pre 1975 the push was on for all to give up their life in order to serve this massive propaganda machine.
I was actually forced to get baptized that year. My parents sold their house and the remaing 4 out of 6 kids at home had to share a 3 bedroom apartment with my parents.
My older brother and sister were taken out of high school to pioneer as back then the assembly talks were advocating the slogan “Stay alive in 75”
Of course they lied about that and blamed it all on their ranks for aggressive speculation afterwards. Lol
So here we are 40 yrs later with no degrees and a basic GED to show for on my siblings part. To this day after the fact it has been a perpetual sword in their side.
I approved of and encouraged my brilliant minded son to go to college and carve out a niche in life for himself.
What doors have opened for him due to his masters degrees is just unbelievable. Had he listened to his mom a devout JW he would probably be working for peanuts with a frustrating job that would be well below his abilitys.
So no college for you so we can control your indoctrination levels.
I can’t imagine where my 32 yr old son will be in another 5 yrs or so but it will be way beyond anything he might have or not achieved if he listened to these men who self proclaim their righteousness.
Keep the ranks ignorant and force feed them self deluded crap.
1975- “Stay Alive in 75” 2015
They should be celebrating 40 years in honor of yet another failed end of times doctrine. Lol
My 2015 slogan in honor is:
GET OUT OF THE WATCHTOWER BEFORE ITS TO LATE!!!!
I can’t concentrate on what Tony says because I think his upper lip has been paralyzed by botox. I also wonder of Stephen Lett has had eye ball surgery since he can read small print without reading glasses? Did anybody notice that that lawyer also has a ring like Tony’s on the same right hand. What is it with their rings???
I also wonder about the rings and gaudy fancy suits these guys wear on jw broadcast. Makes it easier to convince my wife that these guys are fools and have no idea what they are doing! My other laugh is the idolatry of the jw.org symbol now on every kingdom hall. Sure we don’t have a cross but we got jw.org it’s really shown me I want serving God, I was serving men! Keep going jw broadcast! Keep showing people who you really are. It was better when I never saw you and you kept yourselves hidden.
(Clarification) wasn’t serving God,
The only other group that is as oposed to education are radical Islamist Terrorist groups like ISIS….and that’s saying a lot!
Far more than giving a person critical thinking, education also gives people the tools they need for survival in a complex world and a sense of self worth because they provide for themselves and are not deadbeat dependents on aging parents. They have something valuable to offer back to society in general.
I’ve known some elders that have made their living in shady, “used car salesman” like businesses, justifying themselves by saying “business is business”. In other words, “I am all smiles and love at the meetings, but I’ll knife you in the ribs on the job because that’s just good business.”
“I have long said: the better the university, the greater the danger. The most intelligent and eloquent professors will be trying to reshape the thinking of your child, and their influence can be tremendous.”
I smiled when I heard that. It gives me great satisfaction to know that my child, having been accepted into one of the most prestigious universities in the world, will be far beyond the engulfing tentacles of this Organization!
To any JW youths out there: follow your dreams; follow your heart; develop your talents as far as you can; don’t let the Organization squash you, use you up, then spit you out with nothing when it’s finished with you. Whatever happens in the next world (if there is one), don’t waste _this_ life you’ve been given.
I remember being assigned a talk, and a sub heading dealt with their
negative views of higher education. As it happened there were three
Young university guys in the audience, one of them the stepson of an
elder, mothers influence more in evidence here than stepdads.
Every time I think of that talk I’m filled with embarrassment. Listening
to Morris that feeling is compounded many times. when I realise how
ignorant and benighted it all sounds.
It’s the same life-limiting dogma from 20 years ago when my life was controlled by this nebulous fear of displeasing Jehovah at every turn, and it makes me nauseated to hear the same repressive drumbeat. No hope for a real life, no options but to obey and fall in line. Gross.
I never listened to these false prophets when I was in the socalled “truth” since I always pursued higher education. Today I am able to feed my wife and my kids as a professor here in Florida. Back in 1972 they told us that it would be no sense going to college because we wouldn’t graduate since Armageddon would arrive in time for the thousand year reign of Christ to begin in 1975. False prophets.
One thing is blatantly apparent. Higher education allowed for the discovery of modern physics, which in turn allowed for the development of modern technology. Modern technology (i.e. electronics and the internet, printing ink, presses, etc.) in turn allowed for dear Tony to spew his blather on the JW broadcast channel with the nighttime sky image whirling in the background. Yes, even the spots of light in the map are a result of the understanding (i.e. higher education) of physics and technology. Wow!
Lloyd, thanks for the commentary. Also, you are correct in the ‘cherry picking’ of higher education by the WTS and GB. It is apparent in use of technology for the purposes of the broadcast itself!
Brilliant, as always, Cedars. And, thank you for making me laugh. I nearly fell off my chair laughing at the side captions (e.g. “Translation:…”), the Pioneer School “Rave Review” interview, and “The Venom of Self-Importance” (I think that’s would make a great name for a band or a Doctor Who episode)…I know this is serious stuff but sometimes one has to bow to the absurdity of it and laugh or else go mad.
I think one of the “best” things about the JW.org videos is that it is great training for identifying “Logical Fallacies”. If you want to have some fun, try and count the number of Logical Fallacies they throw out (e.g. ‘Strawman’, ‘Ad Hominems’, ‘Special Pleading’, ‘No True Scotsman’, and ‘Anecdotes’…lots of those).
He even manages to string a number of Logical Fallacies in one sentence. You gotta admire that kind of skill …(…slow clap…) “Tune in for the next episode where we will condemn libraries, museums, and the “Discovery Channel”…Just winging it here, Lord” Zealots don’t get irony.
I too missed out on a number of scholarships and opportunities thanks to their higher education policies. I had to make up for that by working hard and lots of library late fees. And, I tried to keep in mind that “the best revenge is success” and that motivated me.
If you are a JW reading this, please think about the clear contradiction:
You are being asked to stay away from higher-education when it benefits you (and the people you care about) by a group of people who benefits from others who have a higher-education.
If you can’t think of them as being hypocritical at least acknowledge that this is a parasitic relationship. And, get an education however you can…
I haven’t gone to meetings in quite a few months but one of our elders is a college professor, having had gone to college before he became a witness. He and his wife have a nice home and drive nice cars and both have been regular pioneers for many years. It seems so hypocritical to me that these people can discourage others not to pursue a college education. Also, his wife is a registered nurse and one time I made the mistake of asking if she was a nurses aid and she was very incensed by that comment and said “No, I am a nurse. I went to college!” As much as that lawyer says he has to fight the urge to think of himself as superior because he was able to go to college to become a lawyer, I will never be convinced that he doesn’t think of himself as superior. For these people to discourage others who have had the opportunity is hypocritical beyond belief to me.
Amen.
Hey, apart from lawyers, shouldn’t they be asking for…
– Mathematicians to sort out the whole failed 607/1914 calculus?
– Metrologists to sort out the blood parts conundrum?
– Search Engine Optimization experts to keep the lawsuits and scandals from popping up on page one on Google?
– Physicists to make “new light” coherent?
– Maybe an Etymologist or two to sort out all of the word-play…(If I see the word “Evidently” one more time I’m going to throw up…)
Sorry everyone. This article got me set into rant-mode…
Thank you again, Cedars.
The day this came out i listened to it in unbelief . I only got in to it about 10 minutes of it before i could take no more . Funny thing is i had my Bible study that night with the JW’s . When my study leader brought this up i told him i could not believe in this day and age anybody would down grade a well rounded education. He said the same BS as Tony said in the video about bad influence and the rest . I told him is was full of it and Tony is an Idiot . I dont study no more . Lol
Though college is not for everyone, it should be a personal choice.
But even a high school student has enough critical thinking to see thru WT’s lies. They lied to us about education back in 1969 (May Awake as I recall), and 46 years later, they’re repeating the same lie. How much education does it take to see thru that?
@anonymous, I’ve seen the same as you. Those who have degrees are proud of it, but don’t dare speak out against the WT leadership. If that’s not hypocrisy, what is.
” A masterclass in cult propaganda” Really? Did he incite his hearers to strap on a vest bomb and blow up a bus or train? I fear that you are joining the ranks of the rankled ex’s – ex catholics, ex baptists, ex amish, ex JWs who are all defined by their ex-ness and lack the generosity to see that there are many, many ways to live and be in this strange and often frightening world.
This article is mean. Like most of the ex JW community it is too certain, too assertive and too shrill. It is just as fundamentalist as the JWism it purports to expose and correct. Steve Louis
Steve – what a bizarre conclusion you leap to – that cult propaganda must by definition go hand-in-hand with violent extremism. Are you familiar with “straw man” argumentation?
Can I assume you are a Witness to be able to mount such an incoherent attack on what I’ve said? Did I hit a bit too close to home?
@anonymous, if you’re the same anonymous as on other threads (it’s hard to know one anonymous from another), please accept some friendly advice from a man’s point of view.
Ever heard the 1960 Frankie Ford song “You talk too much, you worry me to death”?
You have awakened but your husband has not. Your husband can do his thing, and you can do yours. Don’t worry the man to death about the WT.
Peace!
@White Rabbitt, what comment are you referring to that I made about my husband? A while back I said something about getting into a discussion with my husband and finally he had to admit I had a point. For me, it was monumental. I have 2 grown children who would never listen to me, but if he would actually wake up to the truth, they would listen to him. That’s why I don’t give up on trying to convince him. But I have been married for almost 50 years to the man and he’s retired and talks all the time and follows me around, talking to me and it’s almost impossible to have a minute to myself so when it comes to talking too much, it ain’t me.
@anonymous, the more you talk about it, the more determined his resistance will be. Answer any questions he has, but beyond that, leave it alone.
If you’re not going to meetings, and he is, you have at least that much time to yourself. And I can tell you from a man’s point of view, not many men enjoy going to a KH alone. That in itself, may be enough to open the door of his mind.
@White Rabbitt, he might only go to one meeting a month. I don’t talk to him hardly at all because I know it’s a losing battle but last night he saw some tight pants for girls that were being advertised on television and called me to the living room and I went in to see the commercial and he asked me if that is what Tony was talking about and I told him no, it wasn’t girls he was talking about wearing tight pants, it was young boys and it was out in service and he didn’t believe me and he insisted Tony wasn’t talking about boys wearing tight pants out in service and so I told him that I have seen that talk about 6 times and if he didn’t believe me, I would show him on the computer so finally he backed down and then he asked me something like “what was he talking about when he was talking about girls wearing something tight?” and then I said Tony was talking about how girls in the “truth” weren’t allowed to wear girdles (spanx) outside and only allowed to wear such “tight” pants like that in their house and I called Tony a word that isn’t allowed to be used here. Then he insisted that Tony didn’t get that all on his own but got that information with the agreement with the rest of the Governing Body and I said surely that was true and I told my husband that those men were not going to tell me what I could wear when I go out in public and then he said that they don’t have the right to do that and I said yes they do and that’s the way it went for about 5 minutes.
I don’t care anymore about telling him how much I hate Tony Morris. I think he’s an idiot. I am the one that forced my husband to watch the latest jwbroadcasting show. I made him watch it last month too and so when one of the elders called to see if he had watched it, he could answer that he watched it but he didn’t tell them that it was me that forced him to watch it. I say forced because there is no way in h*** that he’d do it on his own but since he insists it’s the “truth”, I figure the least he can do is watch those stupid videos. If I can do it when I hate every minute, then the least he can do is watch it too.
So the letter that has gone out in America, is asking for Paralegals and lawyers to volunteer their time. Now some may have been such before they came in the truth, but some would have been the rebellious looked down upon rebels who now have the very career WTBT need. Ironic int it.
@Anonymous. I ENJOY your COMMENTS!! Keep them coming .. The more the better !! Very knowledgeable & informative.Can someone put the White Rabbit back into the Hat !!
@Pickled brain, Thanks! I guess I talk to much and in truth, I might say only 10 words to my husband in a day. He does enough talking for both of us put together but one thing I won’t allow anymore and that is propaganda “for” the truth. I make him watch those stupid videos and then I insist on him having to listen to me, while I point out all the ridiculous stuff they say and at least it opens it up for a conversation about it.
I’m not emotional about the WT or Tony Morris, as some people obviously are. I keep an analytical point of view.
I was single during my time with the WT. There were many invitations for female companionship, but from the beginning I was troubled by some WT teachings, and so kept my distance, and eyes open. And today I can thankfully say, I never got tangled up with any WT women, and did not lose anyone important when I left.
This has got my blood boiling again.
It’s OK for the likes of Tony and the rest of the magnificent seven, living in cloistered halls, having the very best suits, the very best food, the free worldwide travel, I could go on …
Yes, you too could be like them, just serve Jehovah!
Bullsh..! I know of so many pioneers who live hand to mouth, having to do the most menial jobs, through lack of qualifications and further education. One sister I know even made her own soap powder to save money – what’s that all about??
Get real you JW people, these GB members are taking you for a ride, and believe me there will be no joy at the end of it!
I am so glad that I returned to college after abandoning this organization. I am now a college sophomore, getting ready to begin the Spring semester this Wednesday.
AFAIK there is no Watchtower prohibition on higher education. You have to be careful that your website isn’t used by JWs to discredit apostates. Imagine this scenario. Someone studying with JWs asks about something he read on an apostate web site. The JW can then use this thread to say, “Those apostate web sites are full of lies and misinformation. Look at this post saying we prohibit higher education. We don’t do that at all. We do discourage it because I’m sure you’ll agree that there are a lot of harmful influences. But we don’t probhibit it. Why we even have some brothers and sisters attending college at our Kingdom Hall.” Then the person will view sites like this and jwfacts.com with more suspicion and will believe his teacher that we’re just making things up to make JWs look bad. Don’t give them ammunition to accuses us of what we’re accusing them of doing.
Brother David – Don’t be ridiculous. Of course Watchtower prohibits higher education if it doesn’t fit in with their agenda. Anyone can see that simply from listening to Tony Morris’ talk in full. The fact that you know people who are attending college (heck, even I attended college as a JW, as I explain in my video) does not mean higher education isn’t severely frowned upon – especially if it isn’t approached with the goal of serving Watchtower.
Prohibiting something needn’t mean that you can be disfellowshipped for doing it. JWs are also prohibited from speaking to their disfellowshipped family members, but you can’t be disfellowshipped for doing this. There are a myriad of ways that people (especially elders) can make life miserable for you within a Jehovah’s Witness congregation for doing something frowned on without you being cast out, as any JW will know.
Shame on you for defending a policy that hijacks the hope, promise and opportunity of young people and commandeers their potential for the selfish agenda of a cult.
Anonymous wrote, “As much as that lawyer says he has to fight the urge to think of himself as superior because he was able to go to college to become a lawyer, I will never be convinced that he doesn’t think of himself as superior.”
I totally agree with this assessment. False humility is easily recognizable. When I attended the Kingdom Hall there was a physician, dentist, and university professor, two of whom served as elders. I was always amazed at how proud the rest of the congregation was of these men. Somehow it gave more weight to everything we believed. Lloyd, I have been waiting for this one. Thanks again for shinning a light on what a D-bag this Morris fellow is. Your sense of humor kills me.
Brother David.
The org doesn’t ‘prohibit’ a lot of things, but it does make you feel very uncomfortable if you do not follow the guidelines. Higher ed IS NOT recommended. Kids are not encouraged to pursue a career. When have you ever heard a talk that says children “work hard at school, get your exams done, go on to college and then Uni” NEVER!!!!
However pioneering IS rammed down their throats from the platform time and time again. I have heard youngsters and their parents actualy trying to excuse themselves for allowing their children to go to college or uni. No the org does not prohibit, but it does apply some pretty good mind control.
@ Feelingsicktomystomach
I understand what we know. I was once there. What we know is not what those who haven’t been JWs know. Try to read this thread as someone who has never been a JW. The reality is there are many JWs attending college, and, yes, in good standing. I know JWs who were in college and used in a drama at a convention.
@Brother David. I have been in the “truth” for 50 years and the way they do it in the Watchtower is with words like “spiritual parents” will do this and that. Never ever will you see anything in any Watchtower ever encourage college. What they do is make everyone around you at the Kingdom Hall think you are materialistic if you or your child goes to college. It’s ugly. They can always come back and say they didn’t say Armageddon was going to come in 1975 either but I lived then and I remember counting down all the months in the Kingdom Ministries for over 5 years and then in 1976 when nothing happened, they claim it was all the rank and file’s fault for thinking that. But I know better. They just “imply”. What they do is half-truths. Never the full truth. They always have a way of wiggling out of their slimy words.
Ha ha ha! I laughed at those idiotic watchtower overlords who tried to discourage me from attending university! Fast forward twenty years later and I have a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and I work at a world renown company as a Sr. Security engineer (you probably use one of their computer programs regularly) and no longer interested in listening to the watchtower rhetorical conditioning machinations! I shudder at the thought if I had listened to these fools who looked down upon me for trying to do better. For any of you young ones, if someone approaches you to sway you away from your university goals, tell him or her that you will gladly accept their counsel if the y promise to support you and your future wife and kids as long as you are alive. Let’s see how they take that!
@Brother David . You say the organisation discourages higher education but does not prohibit it . We are playing with words here !!so the governing body in January LECTURE from Anthony Morris REALLY emphasises the harmful influences of higher education .The GB want us to learn a Trade so ordinary JW can be used as cheap labour on building projects !! There are MORE HARMFUL INFLUENCES in the trades such as Plumbing, bricklaying,plastering,gardening,Landscaping,etc The ABUSIVE language,Violence ,& Crude Jokes from people in the trades when learning as an Apprentice for 2 to 5 years is FAR WORSE than you get at University, Plus you would more likely to pick up a physical INJURY from working in the trades than if you got a degree and worked in an office. I’ve known brothers who have Damaged their Backs, knees, broken bones, pulled muscles, slipped discs, etc and have been out of work for months because of injury!!There are more LAWS protecting Office workers from Religious & sexist & bad language discrimination than you will ever get in the TRADES . . It is a SAFER ENVIRONMENT to do work based on a Degree earned at University than in the trades. I know if I was a parent where I would want my son or daughter to be.
@ Brother David . You have been BRAINWASHED by the GB .!! You need to get Thinking & reasoning skills !