News Bulletin: Watchtower tightens shunning rules to include “sinful” inactive ones.

Screenshot 2016-05-28 23.25.32
Camera footage taken by Alex Silva at the Jersey City Regional Convention.

Rumours have been flying about in recent weeks that Watchtower might be changing its shunning policy for the worse at the 2016 Regional Conventions entitled “Remain Loyal to Jehovah.”

We at JW Survey had been aware of these rumours, and had received credible information from reliable sources that seemed to confirm that these rumours were indeed true.

However, since we knew that speculation without absolute proof on this issue might cause unnecessary distress, we decided to wait until absolute concrete proof emerged of this change before reporting it.

Thanks to a member of the Ex-Jehovah’s Witness community, Alex Silva, who bravely attended the Jersey City convention in the US and recorded severa key talks from the program, we now have recorded confirmation that the information we were given was true.

The talk “Shun Unrepentant Wrongdoers, to be given at the 2016 convention as part of the symposium “Loyaly Uphold Jehovah’s Judgements” will apparently expand Watchtower’s shunning policy to include the following scenario:

  • If you are currently considered “inactive,” and are known to have committed a “serious sin,” Watchtowers official position apparently is now that you must be shunned without the requirement to wait for a Judicial Committee.

This will include everyday “sins” such as:

  • Moving in with an unmarried partner
  • Smoking
  • Celebrating Christmas
  • Premarital sex
  • Same sex marriage
  • Criticising the Governing Body
  • Denying Watchtower teachings
  • Celebrating Birthdays

Essentially, any action that would result in a baptised Jehovah’s Witness being disfellowshipped will now result in an inactive one being shunned without the requirement for Judicial Committee action.

This will come as deeply upsetting news for the many inactive ones who have “faded;” the term often used for those who, by a mixture of good fortune and careful planning, have managed to leave the Watchtower religion without sanction from a Judicial Committee, and thus avoided the penalty of shunning. Many such ones still have contact with their Jehovah’s Witness families; contact that now may be cut off if their families consider this person to be “sinning” in the way prescribed by the Governing Body.

It is hard to see this new command as anything less that a deliberate attempt from Watchtower’s leadership to target such “faders” and drag them back under the Governing Body’s control via a policy that amounts to nothing less than pure emotional blackmail:

“Do as we tell you or you will never see your love ones again.”

We are preparing an article to analyse this apparent expansion to Watchtower’s controversial shunning laws in more detail.

We are also preparing an entire series of articles to deal with the various controversial stories that are emerging from this 2016 Regional Convention. Those who have been following this convention will know that this change to the shunning policy is just one of many astonishing and disturbing aspects of the program.

If you are “inactive,” or “faded”, and are concerned that your ties to your family may now be severed, we at JW Survey feel deeply for you. Many of our team are in this position as well.

I am one of them.

I am hopeful that my family will chose to continue association with me, despite the condemnation of my lifestyle by the Governing Body as “serious sin.” But if they do not, I refuse to allow Watchtower’s Governing Body to use my family as leverage to rule my life.

I do not negotiate with hostage takers.

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291 thoughts on “News Bulletin: Watchtower tightens shunning rules to include “sinful” inactive ones.

  • May 28, 2016 at 4:00 pm
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    The GB remind me of the despots in Syria, Libya, Yemen and elsewhere. The more they loose control the tighter they squeeze . The tighter they squeeze, the more they lose control… Etc etc… Repeat repeat until you have civil war.
    I smell April 1945 Berlin…. They are crumbling and they know it.

    • May 28, 2016 at 5:09 pm
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      well said

    • May 29, 2016 at 1:52 am
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      YES , so it is. When i was in the former DDR(1989) the same situation, however the SED leaders lost all energy because of the policy of Gorbatshov. The GB hostage 8 million people and we have the duty to bring them down.

    • May 29, 2016 at 12:30 pm
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      I concur with the sentiments expressed in this chain. As a fader, I have kept relatively quiet and remained anonymous in posting my opinions about Watchtower. However, if my family decides to follow this horrible mandate from their Watchtower Overlords, then there is no further reason for me to remain anonymous or keep quiet. With many faders in this same position, the Watchtower may have made the mistake of waking a “sleeping giant.”

      WS

      • May 29, 2016 at 2:42 pm
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        WS,

        I’m waiting for my hearing from the ARC which has been pushed back to December. Because of the vast number of victims that have come forward, they have had to put a closing date.

        After that, I’m going to formally introduce myself. For anyone that has known my story from a while back, I was meant to be heard this month.

        • May 30, 2016 at 4:18 pm
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          Grace,
          It sounds wonderful to be able to come out of the shadows like that. It’s like breaking the last link in the chains of JW bondage. It may be some time before I am able to do so. But with this new policy, maybe it will be sooner than I think.

          WS

  • May 28, 2016 at 4:21 pm
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    This is a big mistake. Like me, a lot of people quietly faded out of the JW cult and live in relative peace with “in” members. If they suddenly start shunning us, there’s no reason for us to quietly sit on the sidelines anymore.

    IMO, I might as well become a vocal, classically evil apostate if they’re going to treat me like crap anyway. The WTS is doing a preemptive strike; a lot of us faders are going to retaliate massively.

    They think they’ve got lots of problems now, just wait until a massive number of former insiders start going public with the dirt they have on the JW cult. This is going to have unintended consequences that might be their undoing. A sh$$storm of unbelievable magnitude is about to fall on their heads!

    • May 28, 2016 at 4:36 pm
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      That’s exactly how I feel. If I get dfd then I won’t be able to see my first grandchild due in October. It’s a horrible, vile, cruelly controlling cult. I can see more law suits heading in their direction. They are tearing families apart and should be held accountable!
      Hopefully it may even cause our family ‘in’ members to rebel and fall away too.

      • May 28, 2016 at 8:27 pm
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        “In” family might learn to be more discreet with their rebellion. Dinners or affairs with non-family JW members might get faded ones asked to stay away. Or, family affairs exclude non-family JW members.

        Either way, it’s still divisive and ridiculous.

        If I have to respect the religious beliefs (or differences of beliefs) as a JW when trolling door-to-door, and I respect the beliefs of my current “in” family members, why can’t I get the respect that I’m entitled to–to treat me like they would treat any stranger on the street?

    • May 29, 2016 at 7:33 pm
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      Exactly! ….and retaliate you should !!!

  • May 28, 2016 at 4:42 pm
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    MARK 7: 11

    If one has family members that are Jws , it would be good to write this out by hand , and give to such family member, I have this noted on my sign which I stand outside of the church holding , along with about 25 other scriptures which show some of the error in the ways of this ORG which will disown their obligations toward family members , in their worship of the WatchTower . When the scripture says one must disown their family members , such is subjective and relative , having a purposeful meaning but not to be used as the ORG uses it , It is also said that one must eat the flesh of a man and drink a man’s blood to have life , a very difficult scripture to truly understand . Many have a SERIOUS problem of letting the ORG make a determination for them which scriptures to emphasize , and take more literally than others, rather than really studying all of them , and not choosing to have favorites .

    • May 28, 2016 at 5:11 pm
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      Are they going to include another question at baptism to include …”do you promise to shun ANY family that leaves the organisation?”…

      • May 28, 2016 at 9:32 pm
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        I was thinking the same thing!!!

    • May 29, 2016 at 2:52 pm
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      Mark–didn’t the new “rusty blade” version leave some of Mark out? I think that would cast doubt on the whole Gospel of Mark.

      Note: the Gospel of Mark generally is viewed as the first of the major gospels to have been written with Matthew and Luke being derivatives, so this would put everything “in play” since we already know that Pauline epistles are outlining a gospel (with some Mithra, or Hellenic, influences) that was foreign to the mostly Hebrew “body of elders” from Antioch and Jerusalem.

  • May 28, 2016 at 5:07 pm
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    Covert Fade, great article as usual. One thing I’d like to suggest is reconsider the use of the word lifestyle. We all know how the JW’s batter that word, as if to sneer it into a condemnation of a person’s worth and value.

    It’s actually simply living your own life. I wouldn’t want you, or anyone, to read it and feel some quiet, undefined shame for your autonomy. My $.02.

  • May 28, 2016 at 5:11 pm
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    Satan’s time is short so the demons are on double shift, with no pay, to break up the Divine institution of family. Every family will be subject to this rule or ruin policy. They really have deviated from the Highway of Holiness to the Highway to Hell. Shame and degradation , they seem to be spewing hate in an unashamed fashion and that is not Christian. These are interesting times and we are on a really bumpy ride. One of the points mentioned is critism of the governing body. Well I believe I am going before a higher Judge than feeble men and If I do not champion the Truth as I see it then that Higher power will hold me accountable. So I’d rather stay in His good books and be struck from their self appointed account of injury. This new fascism is very dark and threatening.A new darkness is descending and when it has it’s finality they will not see one foot in front of the other. I hope they get their go bag paradise where they can pick and fight to eternity without us to bother their conscience.When they have done murdering our characters and finished downgrading our worth as humans I am sure they will not be a happy bunch .There is no joy in attempting to play God, many have tried and it has never been successful. I hope someone has the clout and authority to truly and faithfully expose this disfellowshipping offense. I live in hope, but this dark cloud on the horizon leaves me uneasy. We are at war. Ruthlee

    • May 28, 2016 at 11:35 pm
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      This presumes that Christianity had bringing families together as a foundation.

      Micah 7:5-7
      Matthew 10:35-38
      Luke 12:51-53

      The Watchtower has never held families in high regard–especially, the bringing forth of children. One look at the “What is True Love?” video underscores how the ideal Witness woman needs a mate, but certainly foregoes children and the “normalcy” of married living. It is interesting this aforementioned video only approaches the topic from a female point of view; male primitive needs are not brought into discussion. They base their existence and growth on recruitment not propagating the species.

      “Selling God”
      https://youtu.be/KbZjoA9WrvM

      The God Who Wasn’t There
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ik7GRQ9hoVY

  • May 28, 2016 at 5:23 pm
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    As Follower of Yeshua Jesus this is far away what Catholic and Gnostic Gospels tells us.
    We suppose to love our neighbors and not judge them. We are all sinners.
    Their behavior reminds me insanity of Rutherford and this will cause many court cases. This is so damaging psychologically, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually indeed.
    We are happy we do not have to deal with this blasphemous sect anymore. Shabat Shalom.

  • May 28, 2016 at 5:29 pm
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    Not looking forward to seeing how my family reacts to this.

  • May 28, 2016 at 5:30 pm
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    The leaders of this religion are becoming increasingly shrill and desperate in their vain attempts to maintain control.

    Let’s review: It’s a cult!

    • May 29, 2016 at 2:31 pm
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      It’s a cult alright and I think exposing them as such is a much quicker and easier way into the JW brain.
      They already know about the child abuse and a lot are uncomfortable with shunning. Trying to explain 607, failed prophecies and other idiocies seems to go right over there head, although I’m sure some of it sticks. Now is the time to add to that.
      Information explaining what a cult actually is and how to spot them is at ones fingertips and it doesn’t necessarily set out to demolish the Jw’s so it could hardly be seen as persecution. I’ve used it on my Mother and she exclaimed ” I’m in a cult” and then five minutes later she said it again. I thought my job was done and didn’t do any follow up and the next time I saw her she had been brow beaten back into line and denied everything and now I can’t get near her. If I could just go back to that moment and do it differently…….

      • May 29, 2016 at 3:41 pm
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        @ Outandabout

        You got your points across and the seed of doubt was planted. As long as your Mom continues to associate and breath the toxic air of inane Cultism at the Kingdom Hall she will never break free.

        Unfortunately for many that’s the way the cult works: FOG* (Fear, Obligation & Guilt). At least your conscience is clear and you tried.

  • May 28, 2016 at 5:58 pm
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    So how will we ‘faders’ know that we are now shunned without a judicial? Will an announcement be made? will their be a local needs talk to mention without naming?

    In the last week I have had three different elders attempt to contact me. One left the invite through the door with a message on it asking for us to chat. Another was the grandfather of my son in law who grilled me on my attendance and lack of ministry (He’s not even in my cong.) the other day and other elder went to my daughters door and inquired if I was home.

    This activity now has me wondering if ‘we’, my daughter and I, will be shunned/df’d without hearing. Not that we would attend one in any case.

    Can anyone enlighten me on what the likely outcome will be?

    • May 28, 2016 at 5:59 pm
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      ugh bad spelling ‘there’ not their…..

    • May 28, 2016 at 8:46 pm
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      Great Question, just how will this be enacted? From the podium or “Elder Gossip”?

      • May 29, 2016 at 7:25 am
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        I think it will take the form of a local needs in our hall. They will reiterate the talk and then make it very clear, without names who is to be shunned.

        It will go along the lines of…
        Dear brothers, as we look around our hall tonight, we notice some empty seats. Yes, some have forsaken their dedication and no longer follow the direction given to us to congregate together…. not forsaking the gathering….blaa, blaa, blaa.
        We must find it in our hearts to be strong enough to avoid such ones in the loving hope they will return to us….. blaa, blaa, blaa and o forth.

        Oh, we won’t know about it until we get the cold shoulder. Maybe someone will give us a heads up…. In my case I will prepare myself for those still talking to me to stop fb and waving to me as they go past in the car. My greatest fear is now my ex daughter in law will try to instill a shunning attitude in my grandchild. If it is made public knowledge that I am ti be shunned then I will be using fb media to highlight that I am…. my ‘brothers’ far afield will need to know but it will let other friends know the circumstances and what has gone on.

    • May 30, 2016 at 5:20 am
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      hey tara,
      You are not alone, I tried to fade out of the faith. I had not attended meetings for over two years when an elder from my hall showed up at my house alone at ten thirty at night. He said he found my address on the internet. After they found out where i lived they sent me a letter stating that they were going to have a judicial committee whether i decided to attend or not. After two months of on again off again communication, i was given the choice to attend a JC (or one would be given in my absence) or disassociate. They are obviously pursuing a “cleansing”. If they choose to pursue you i do not know if there is anything you can do to prevent it. However, hopefully these new practices will help to wake up some of your family members.
      Best Wishes!

  • May 28, 2016 at 6:05 pm
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    So this new policy of shunning inactive ones who have faded seems like it would make good information to hand over to the UK charity commission. Also to the Australian royal commission since it was Geoffrey Jackson who all but recommended fading as a course of action for those who disagreed with the organization. Even going so far as to say that “no action would be taken against them”. So what does that make Jackson and the rest of the gb? Liars? I think we know the answer.

    • May 28, 2016 at 6:10 pm
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      Great point Chifade!!!! Please write to the charity commissions as you mentioned.
      This just proves what we have been saying all along.

    • May 29, 2016 at 12:18 am
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      Their shunning policy is now against the law un uk the adition to the domestic abuse law now includes coersive and controling behaviour causing emotional and mental damage to a family member .anyone who is being subjected to this or has a family member affected should contact the social servises and police as soon as posible..more court cases for WT..and the elders who enfirce it..

    • May 29, 2016 at 12:18 am
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      Their shunning policy is now against the law un uk the adition to the domestic abuse law now includes coersive and controling behaviour causing emotional and mental damage to a family member .anyone who is being subjected to this or has a family member affected should contact the social servises and police as soon as posible..more court cases for WT..and the elders who enfirce it..

      • May 29, 2016 at 12:20 am
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        To add also contact the charity commisiin .they are currently investigating WT Uk..

    • May 29, 2016 at 10:43 am
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      Exactly what I was thinking….

  • May 28, 2016 at 6:43 pm
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    In the video, the speaker states that the practice of disfellowshiping unrepentant wrongdoers helps to avoid bringing reproach upon Jehovah’s name. Does not reporting accusations of child abuse to the authorities, even when these have been corroborated by evidence and testimony, not bring reproach upon Jehovah’s name? Does not harboring child molesters within the organization not bring reproach upon Jehovah’s name? If this righteous, benevolent God exists, he should have abandoned this organization a long time ago. In fact, “He” shouldn’t have abandoned it, He should have never chosen this organization to represent him in the first place.

    • May 29, 2016 at 5:41 am
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      This is the point that really resonated with me. Especially in the example of the children who “reported” their mother to the elders. The GB foster a culture of reporting on each other, like an oppressive dictatorship with its spy network (very 1984) while over 1,000 known predators go unreported to the appropriate agencies (the “superior authorities”) in Australia alone – a 100% strike rate. Surely nothing could bring greater reproach on Jehovah’s name?

      If Jehovah really had been directing this organisation their policies would reflect that and would have been in place for decades. Then there would be no skeletons in the closet to find, and the ARC would have shone the light on an organisation which would be held up as the model for all others to follow, truly Christlike, rather than the festering cesspit it exposed. And they have the nerve to resist the ARC, reject its findings, silence those who speak out (especially the “apostate” victims) and then direct the “sheep” to shun such ones who leave in good conscience. Appalling. It almost defies belief, but I would discount anything these delusional self-righteous men do.

      • May 30, 2016 at 3:28 am
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        That was meant to read “wouldn’t discount” grrrrrr, spellcheck.

    • May 29, 2016 at 9:08 am
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      A JWIntellect

      Verily, Jehovah has never chosen it.

      Would an all knowing, omnipotent God choose an organization that believed that the Great Pyramid at Giza was to be considered to be the “Great Witness” which measurements are supposed to show the end times of 1914?

      Would this same God choose an organization that was commandeered in what amounts to a hostile take over by Judge “pass me another drink” Rutherford a know sot?

      Would an all powerful God allow the use of his name and bless this sham organization for joining the United Nations for ten years and for all intents and purposes becoming a whore like Babylon the Great?

      Would an merciful God punish those who left for seeing pedophiles being protected while children are left abandoned?

      Will Jehovah God, Sovereign Lord of the Universe, continue to bless a religion with continued growth that uses his name as a cover for its own twisted purposes?

      I think we all know the answers to the above. They are now reaping what they have sown! Good riddance to bad rubbish!

    • May 29, 2016 at 10:44 am
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      Well said….

  • May 28, 2016 at 6:55 pm
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    Ugh, I feel sick to my stomach. I have been formerly shunned but my sister who is living with her boyfriend and just had a baby has faded and so far has been under the raidar but now I’m worried for her. My mom shuns us but has been a big help to my sister since my nieces birth and visits my sister to help her out. If my mom, who is a pretty hard core jw, takes the new direction to heart my niece will lose a grandma. Ugh I hate this cult. its so unfair and unloving.

  • May 28, 2016 at 7:02 pm
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    When was this communicated to the rank and file? I faded 18 years ago and while my family still try and encourage me to come back they have been open and friendly towards me for the most part….but ive noticed that they have been a little different in the last couple of months. Not really wanting to engage with me.

    • May 29, 2016 at 9:10 am
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      Question Box -KM 2/2000
      ▪ Is it appropriate to applaud when a reinstatement is announced?
      In his loving-kindness, Jehovah God has provided a Scriptural way for repentant wrongdoers to regain his favor and achieve reinstatement in the Christian congregation. (Ps. 51:12, 17) When this takes place, we are encouraged to confirm our love for such sincerely repentant ones.—2 Cor. 2:6-8.
      Even so, as joyful as we are when a relative or acquaintance is reinstated, a quiet dignity should prevail at the time that the person’s reinstatement is announced in the congregation. The Watchtower of October 1, 1998, page 17, expressed matters this way: “We must remember, however, that most in the congregation are not aware of the particular circumstances that led to a person’s expulsion or to his reinstatement. In addition, there may be some who have been personally affected or hurt—perhaps even on a long-term basis—by the wrongdoing of the repentant one. Being sensitive to such matters, therefore, when an announcement of reinstatement is made, we would understandably withhold expressions of welcome until such can be made on a personal basis.”
      Although we are very happy to see someone return to the truth, applause at the time of his or her reinstatement would not be appropriate.

        • May 29, 2016 at 3:57 pm
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          @ RetiredLE

          So “Jehovah is ready to forgive” huh? Isn’t that just wonderful?

          I’ll be willing to bet Jehovah is not ready to protect her children from the unknown, unrepentant and active local pedophiles lurking in her congregation.

          Back to the same old crap, and love bombing. Back to slavery to seven demented morons and bondage to a Pedophile protecting cult.

          ‘Back out into the field oh you ministers to Advertise, Advertise, Advertise the King and His Kingdom!’ Oh, and while you’re at it don’t forget to sell my books. J.F. ‘the drunken sot’ Judge Rutherford.

          • May 29, 2016 at 9:34 pm
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            Can’t fix ‘stupid’… on either side

      • May 29, 2016 at 2:40 pm
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        This has since been changed and you can now applaud if you want to. New light from a letter sent to elders this year.
        If you ask nicely, Covert Fade might put a copy of said letter on here.

        • May 29, 2016 at 9:41 pm
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          @Average Joe.. thanks for the update on ‘new light’ and reading the context of the post. Ludicrous that the ‘Samaritans’ Brother is in charge of ‘forgiveness’. One more ‘tenth’ of the spice to keep up with…

  • May 28, 2016 at 7:44 pm
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    Omg… I can’t begin to explain how sickening it is to watch the video, manipulation and emotional blackmail at its best! Like someone else said above, what was holding a lot of us ‘quiet faders’ back was the fact that we were trying to keep the peace, and still have some contact with our families. The moment they take that away with their new quasi-disfellowshipping policy… sh*&%$ is going to hit the fan!

  • May 28, 2016 at 7:52 pm
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    I, on the other hand, think that this is hilarious. I can’t wait to see how the jws I know start behaving from now on. They might start exhibiting more of the attitudes of sick *********** I think they are, which amuse me so much. I also can’t wait to see the collapse of their cult and laugh like ‘in your face, irrational bastard!’

  • May 28, 2016 at 8:01 pm
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    Political and religious leaders have always known that when doubt begins to set in, nothing reaffirms the sagging faith or brings their “flock” together more effectively than hate campaigns directed to non-members and former-members.

    As the Watchtower religion begins to crumble, it’s predictable that they will seek to increase the contrast between themselves and us by demonizing and shunning us (all the while proclaiming that their organization is “living proof that hatred can be abolished. It is a foreglimpse of a worldwide program to eliminate hatred and its causes.” —Watchtower, June 15, 1995, p. 8)

    If the time remaining is as short as they proclaim, and they are supposed to be preaching their message to the whole world before Armageddon, in order to save as many as possible by making converts — why would they waste a second of such precious time in diatribes against former members?

    What they do belies what they claim to believe.

  • May 28, 2016 at 8:18 pm
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    This makes me sick. I wish there could be serious media coverage on their cult behaviour. It’s disgusting. my mom and brother are still very much in. I was never df’ed but I faded. He cut off all contact with me. That was several years ago. i feel like this was an implied rule. Lost all my friends too. So it doesn’t really surprise me that they would thrust it down the r&f’s throats officially. It’s been in the making for a while. Personal decision maybe previously. It’s a how “spiritual are you” guilt trip. If you talk to your child you aren’t being loyal to jehovah. Give me a friggin break.

    • May 28, 2016 at 9:35 pm
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      “Serious media coverage” of Jehovah’s Witnesses’ conventions more or less ended after the 1970s when the Governing Body’s doomsday talk proved to be nothing more than a false alarm. Since then, most news organizations pay scant or no attention to these gatherings and so the information about shunning lapsed or inactive members will get no mention. More’s the pity.

      • May 29, 2016 at 10:34 am
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        There are not enough Jehovah’s Witnesses world wide to make a difference in anything they say or do.

        Roman Catholicism claims to have 800 million adherents and when the Holy See speaks everyone (including non-Catholics) listens.

        However, when the G.B. speaks all of 8 million (if that number is correct, which I doubt) then who listens or even cares? The J.W.’s are an annoying, doomsday declaring, gadfly. A festering boil on the
        butt of mankind. A throwback to the Adventist Millerite movement with its “Great Disappointment”. A worthless, clueless nattering nabob of negativity.

        Whatever terminology they want to use against me or my family, be it “disfellowshipped”, “disassociated” or “apostate” makes no difference to me as no one cares and the world in general does not care. The judgement of the world is based on who you are not what “religion” you practice.

        • May 29, 2016 at 11:10 am
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          Big B, I like your choice of words. Both my wife and I laughed hard at your “festering boil on the butt of mankind” comment. I intend to make good use of this phrase in the future.

          Thanks for lightening the day!

          • May 29, 2016 at 4:03 pm
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            @ Telescopium

            I’m glad you enjoyed it.

            Oh, I forgot to reference the quote: “nattering nabobs of negativity” which was a phrase used by Vice President Spiro Agnew to refer to the members of the media with whom he had a very acrimonious relationship.

  • May 28, 2016 at 8:33 pm
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    I just watched all nine minutes of this video, and it made me physically nauseous.

    The video “drama” shown in this talk blames the victim and makes heroes of the mind-numbed parents who put loyalty to Watchtower ahead of love for their daughter.

    Another gem is how the speaker praises the boys who ratted out their mother to the elders, and “chose” not to associate with her anymore! Of course it was “the hardest thing they ever had to do.” Nothing can subvert the strong bonds of love between mother and child better than the undue influence of an insidious cult.

    “There will be no loyalty, except loyalty towards the Party.” — George Orwell, 1984

    The above seems to be Watchtower’s motto. Too bad they don’t use the following in its place, since they claim to base everything on the Bible:

    “Do not you people be owing anybody a single thing, except to love one another; for he that loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. For the law code, “You must not commit adultery, You must not murder, You must not steal, You must not covet”, and whatever other commandment there is, is summed up in this word, namely, “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does not work evil to one’s neighbor; therefore love is the law’s fulfillment.”
    (Romans 13:8-10)

    If they insist that there is a “law” of shunning, well then, the “law of love” trumps it, according to their own Bible.

    • May 28, 2016 at 9:17 pm
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      Just posted the G.O quote to fb. Will be interested to see who likes it.

  • May 28, 2016 at 8:42 pm
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    “…and to deeply grieve when a beloved family member leaves Jehovah. Jehovah understands the feelings of his loyal ones. He knows the pain of losing a family member.”
    Those few seconds are pure art. The leader addressing a gullible crowd, with his image in a big screen, talking about a made up character who is ‘the actual leader’ hiding behind the shadows. Much like movie Equilibrium or 1984. A Orwellian reality indeed. We live in a distopyan future.

  • May 28, 2016 at 9:41 pm
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    Sick! Sick! Sick! How long will it be before they are exposed for who they really are? As one reader posted recently: ‘The WTBTS is a Controlling org of pedophile protectors, family destroyers, and a lying cult!’

  • May 29, 2016 at 12:04 am
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    Didn’t watch the whole clip. Is birthday explicitly mentioned as shunning offense? Celebrating birthdays is at least no disfellowshipping offense as far as I know.

  • May 29, 2016 at 12:14 am
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    Reading this is so disturbing. I’ve had very little contact with my parents for years now (we live in different continents/countries, and until now the level of contact I have is approximately a dinner every time I am in town), and I guess I should expect that it should be even less than that.

    Sometimes, I find it easier, and better for my mental health, to just stop treating them as family, and treat them as total strangers instead. Somehow my mind finds that easier to process.

    An open question regarding fading, maybe someone here knows – I was raised as a JW by my parents (who weirdly enough, were diplomats, that fact didn’t bother them somehow), I got baptized as a teen in Japan, and a decade later, I faded in the USA (while in graduate school). I never met any judicial committee, nor did I write any disassociation letter. Now I am in Germany. I have some Internet presence where a Google-savvy individual can clearly see that I have “committed serious sins”. It’s quite easy for anyone to be a witness against me. What does that make me then? Am I still an inactive? Or is it likely that I was disfellowshipped in absentia? I ask more for curiosity’s sake; however the JWs treat my case is irrelevant for me at this point.

  • May 29, 2016 at 2:31 am
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    I concur with Kidneykid. It is myopic of the GBoJW to sanction the inactive / faded. I am still regarded by the local BoE as a JW – they don’t know I blog against the org regularly. However, they and the cong have disliked several episodes of outspokenness in WT studies (despite my carefully having referenced the WT, Bible, Insight, AW). Consequently, some already shun me or are at leadt remote. So if the BoE ever DF me, or if I become inactive and they DF me, then I have no incentive left for being discreet. Already, I know of at least 12 in my cong who are “awake”, and for whom DF or any other censure may remove the incentive to maintain discretion. This approach of the GBoJW may backfire on them. It also betrays their paradigm of control, conceit, and intolerance.

    The decision will likely have the effect of magnifying the power of the BoE. Will likely increase abuse of power by BoEs. DF without a JC may mean DF without a document trail. Just what is needed by the WTBTS after such having proved to be important by litigants and the ARC. After the conventions, we can expect a plethora of correspondence to be sent out to BoE re guidance about non JC DFing. New references for the secret Shephard the Flock book too.

    Could be a Laurel and Hardy scenario – “Well here’s another fine mess you’ve gotten me into!”

  • May 29, 2016 at 2:58 am
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    Interesting isn’t it that when a snake is injured it lashes out in mindless fashion.
    Anyone still hanging on to the reasoning of injured snakes will indeed suffer from this dying reflex.

  • May 29, 2016 at 3:11 am
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    I relish the idea that the elders would be brave enough to call me in for a judicial meeting because it only takes about four scriptures to show that the tetragrammaton was put in the Bible by the Masoretes when they were transcribing the Hebrew scriptures and the god that the Israelites worshipped was Molech. It’s all over the Bible but most people don’t realize it because the Masoretes replaced the tetragrammaton with lord and God etc.

    The Society want us all to be disfellowshiped without calling us in to a judicial because once the elders actually hear what we have to say about the United Nations, 607 B.C.E. and the rest of the lies, we just might convince those elders that they are being fooled. It is so much easier to disfellowship us by stabbing us in the back and make the rank and file think we have become demonic.

    I just happen to have a 1885 copy of the Imperial Bible Dictionary on my coffee table and when two of the elders from my congregation stopped by to “encourage” me a few weeks ago, I dared them to explain what the Society left out about the cross and one of the elders took me up on my dare and of course, he won’t be back again.

    I told them that I don’t want to be disfellowshiped but I don’t see how they can not disfellowship me because I have the proof right on my coffee table that the Society is lying about what that dictionary says about the cross and just like I showed it to them, I can show it to anybody else that comes over.

    I think that they are truly fond of me but they have to decide who they love more, the Society’s god or me and that is a terrible and life-changing decision.

    https://youtu.be/rnyHSe_e1Dw

    • May 29, 2016 at 5:52 am
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      Would love to know which four scriptures you mean? Also what your book says on the cross, I’m intrigued. Do have any references I can use? Might come in handy for the knock on the door Ive been anticipating!

      • May 29, 2016 at 7:35 am
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        I agree Eric. Could you post it Caroline?

        • May 29, 2016 at 10:49 am
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          Go to Acts 7:42, 43 where Stephen said that the Israelites were worshiping at the tent of Molech during the forty years they were in the wilderness then to Numbers 31:40 and the “tax” of the virgin girls was 32 that went to Jehovah.

          Exodus 22:29 says the firstborn of their sons were to belong to Jehovah and Jeremiah 7:22 says “For I did not speak with your forefathers nor did I command them in the day of my bringing them out from the land of Egypt concerning the matters of whole burnt offering and sacrifice.”

          The one scripture that I would concentrate on is Numbers chapter 31, the whole chapter. What would Jehovah want with 32 virgin girls? The other 32,000 virgin girls that they kept for themselves is pretty hard to explain also.

          If they wanted slaves, then why not the boys?

          If they think that’s so terrible that Jehovah would require the burning of 32 virgin girls on the alter, have them explain the deaths of every man, woman and boy child in Midian then too? It was too terrible to “burn” 32 virgin girls on the alter but it was okay to kill probably hundreds of thousands of men, women and children in Midian, including all the little boys to have 32,000 virgin girls left over that they could divide up among themselves? What did they do with those little girls and how did they know they were virgins?

          The Society chooses that God to name themselves after and Jesus never once said that that God was his father. The Society put that in the NWT Greek Scriptures and it was never in the original Greek scriptures.

          According to Acts 7:42,43, the law given to Moses was from Molech. It was the Watchtower organization who stupidly chose to put Jehovah in the Bible 7,000 times. They are the ones promoting that name Jehovah as God and named themselves after that hideous god. If the tetragrammaton actually stood for Molech, then they are stupidly worshiping Molech and are proud of it, thinking they are the only ones who worship the “true” god.

          The Society is too afraid of us “apostates” and so they are scaring the rank and file into disfellowshiping us without a committee hearing because the Society knows that once we start telling the elders why we don’t want anything to do with that religion anymore, that there will be a lot of them that will listen and realize that they too have been conned.

          Up until now, I gave the Governing Body the benefit of a doubt, but not anymore. Now I do believe they are just plain evil.

  • May 29, 2016 at 4:37 am
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    “Shun the Sinners” I agree whole heartedly. That’s why
    I’ve turned my back on this vile organisation, that covered
    up 5.000 pedophile attacks in Australia alone. Perpetrated
    by 1.000 of their members.

  • May 29, 2016 at 5:00 am
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    Correction, 1,006, JW child molesters, uncovered by the
    Australian Royal “Commision”.

  • May 29, 2016 at 5:10 am
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    Well I guess this means that the brochure,”Return to Jehovah” can now go out of print! It seems the ‘soft’ approach has been cast aside in favour of a hard line instruction which will test the loyalty of those still in the org and emphasise to the inactive ones that the Governing Body means business. It’s despicable!

  • May 29, 2016 at 6:49 am
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    VictorE
    The Amish use disfellowshipping to maintain their life style and form of worship. However, they do not use complete shunning like JW’s. A disfellowshpped person can come to a wedding or other event and they talk to them, they just won’t sit next to them while eating because they are not suppose to eat with them. They will help them if they ask, even give them money or other help if they ask. In other words the Amish will talk to those who are disfellowshipped.

    The bible says to not say a greeting nor eat with them. A greeting was an elaborate welcome, almost a ritual where the greeter would bless the success of whatever the person was involved in. It would be like a JW saying Merry Christmas during the holidays etc. That’s what the bible means by not saying a greeting. It has nothing to do with shunning. JW’s still talk to worldly persons, without saying such greetings. They don’t shun worldly people.

    Not eating with them is refusing to associate with them on a social basis. How would you refuse an invitation if you didn’t talk to them? Why would they invite you if you didn’t talk to them? Such a command would have been redundant if a person was to be shunned altogether.

    So shunning goes way beyond what the bible teaches and is not a bible based principle.

    This can be seen in Jesus words at Matthew 18 where he shows three things a person could do if their brother sinned against them. One, go to that person and try to settle the problem. Two, if they didn’t listen take along witnesses. Three, if they still didn’t listen, take them before the congregation. If they didn’t listen then, they would be disfellowshipped. What Christ said next is his instructions on how to treat a disfellowshipped person.

    Christ said, treat them as people of the nations or tax collectors. He did not say shun them.

    They talked to worldly people and tax collectors. They just wouldn’t say elaborate greetings nor eat with them. According the Christ they were to do the same to disfellowshipped ones.

    Jesus words are totally contrary to what is being enforced by W.

    This shunning extremism is not from Christ nor Jehovah God. So one is NOT proving their love or loyalty to Jehovah by engaging is this hypocritical and abusive form of extreme shunning. It goes way beyond the bible.

    If the Amish see no need to engage in such extremism of shunning to protect their separate life style and religion then why the W? One can only conclude that it must be for a different reason than protecting the congregation or keeping it clean. Just what is it they are trying to hide? This extreme form of shunning is not for keeping the congregation clean, but for covering up what they don’t want the rank and file to discover.

  • May 29, 2016 at 7:16 am
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    The WT needs persecution of its members to prove their claims of being the true religion. The fear they instill by mind-control isn’t enough by itself. The passive-aggressive silent treatment of faders will help stir up anger against the org, which is what they WANT.
    They WANT to precipitate persecution. Their dogma won’t work without it.
    Marina

  • May 29, 2016 at 7:29 am
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    To be fair this is not a completely new tack. The example in the talk is taken from the WT 85 7/15 page19 para14

    I quote..

    14 Loyalty today likewise results in blessings. One young Witness remembers the stand he and his brothers took when their mother, long inactive as a Christian, entered an adulterous marriage. “We reported matters to the elders,” he recalls, “and since she did not live at home, we decided to limit association with her until the elders could handle matters. It was the hardest thing we ever had to do.” The mother protested, “Does your everlasting life mean more to you than I do?” To this they replied, “Our relationship with Jehovah means more than anything.” The woman was jolted into manifesting sincere repentance, was restored spiritually, and serves again as an active publisher of the good news.

    The speaker uses this almost verbatim. This has long been the way of the WTS, it’s just that it is now being reinforced for a new generation of Witnesses through a convention item explicitly linked to loyalty.

  • May 29, 2016 at 8:16 am
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    ‘I came not to judge the ‘world’ but to save it, I came not to destroy but to save, I judge no man’.
    How is it that Christ’s brothers are above Christ’s words?
    Message for local Elders. . If you pursue me I will contact the police and I will methodically build a case for harassment.

  • May 29, 2016 at 8:25 am
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    Interestingly John 12.47 in context was spoken to Gods already dedicated people the Jews.
    If the Chirst refused to condemn those sinners while on earth who are we to argue and who are we to enforce others to shun without first the benefit of evidence?
    A dangerous game if your a Christian indeed.

    • May 29, 2016 at 11:14 am
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      Nice verse. It seems you know the Bible better than the GB.

      I once spoke to Sam Herd who told me I couldn’t take the org to court. I told him he did not understand the verses in romans correctly and that Paul was only talking about money matters. Some things should be taken to court by Christians, such as abuse. Romans 13 says the government has the God-given right to deal with these matters.

      The next thing I knew Samuel Herd gave a talk about there being no ‘Queen Bees’ in the organization. It was then that I knew this member of the GB did not have the Christian quality necessary to accept counsel from the scriptures. Pride is a sin so maybe we should shun this member of the GB.

      About criticizing the GB, Paul criticized Peter about not eating with Gentile Christians. Peter accepted the advice and changed.

  • May 29, 2016 at 8:32 am
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    Sorry you wont live in paradise

    • May 29, 2016 at 8:58 am
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      Paradise is a place outside our current dimension only blocked by a counterfeit … ‘Spiritual IPADadise’

  • May 29, 2016 at 8:33 am
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    I am scared, the little I had left of my family might disappear. When or if that happens, I will explode on WT – all bets are off…and I will come for them anyway I know how to.

  • May 29, 2016 at 8:47 am
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    Thank you Alex Silva for the on sight RC recordings, it seems to reflect what I’ve seen among many J.W.’s who are quietly waking up to their cognitive dissonance.
    Notice the R&F level of applause with each of the videos.
    i.e. – A huge applause after the ‘humour’ shown in “When Praised” vid. and the weak and sporadic applause after the “Disfellowshipping” vid. I’ve seen this on numerous occasions with recent video presentations in the congregations after some, JW Broadcasting lunacy, Calebs “rock and roll fantasy”, or I suspect now, even the applause in the congregation shown at the reinstatement announcement (previously taboo). It seems as if some of the Sleepers are Awakening?…….With this, in addition to throwing the elderly under the bus for not conforming to the “Spiritual IPADadise” , etc., etc….is it possible for a J.W. to perceive a truly loving God and that perhaps ‘Billions Now Living Won’t Have to Die.’ ?

  • May 29, 2016 at 9:31 am
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    I am also nervous on how my mom and sis will react… the cult is desperately hanging on to those still inside, by isolating them from people like me and those who are vocal about the truth about the “truth”…

    • May 29, 2016 at 7:15 pm
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      That’s an interesting comment. The Borg. IS isolating those within. Just like Jim Jones isolated his followers. He left them no way out and then ordered the drinking of poison. Those too old or young were given ‘help’. Actually, it’s quite terrifying. I can’t remember the article but I recall it said something like we should be prepared to do exactly what they say even if it sounds strange.

      • May 30, 2016 at 2:48 pm
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        @ Tara

        The information you are para-phrasing is located in the November 15, Watchtower study issue on page 20 paragraph 17 which says;
        “(3) At that time, the life saving direction that we receive from Jehovah’s organization may not appear practical from a human standpoint. All of us must be ready to obey any instructions we ma receive, whether these appear sound from a strategic or human standpoint or not. (4) Now is the time for any who may be putting their trust in secular education, material things, or human institutions to adjust their thinking. The elders must stand ready to help any who may be wavering in their faith”.

        The elders are definitely told to be ready for any instructions from the H.Q. “to help any wavering in their faith”.

        Sounds like they’re preparing the Sheeple to belly up to the wash tub. Oh, by the way do you want the grape flavored or cherry flavored Kool Aid?

        Remember we must “listen, OBEY, and be blessed.” :)

        • May 30, 2016 at 4:34 pm
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          Many thanks Big B :) I didn’t think I was imagining it.
          What! actually given a choice for the poison! that way to dangerous…. might get the minions thinking for themselves!

  • May 29, 2016 at 10:44 am
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    The JW’s are at the point in their cult existence where they are going internal to purge their own. This happens quite frequently in lot of cults. Many years back their was a group called the children of God (COG ) who did the same thing. They purged their group using silly requirements that had nothing to do with Christianity but personal preferences of the loonie people who ran the group. The JW’s are doing the same thing, nothing big is happening In their preaching work so they start purging themselves. A tell tale sign of a false prophet mentioned in the Bible ( Duet 18:22 ) would be that the false prophet puts it’s members in FEAR…..There is nothing wrong with trying to be morally pure, but the requirements for being in the inner sanctum get more unbiblical as the group resorts to insanity and unbiblical teachings….Again, all due to FEAR of the members in the group to go against their “oracle” or what I call the “Ahithophel Syndrone” 2 Sam 16:23. When people reach that stage of a groups existance then it’s already too late.

    I have a “testimony” I wrote my years that goes into all of this called “The Ultimate Rape” by Joe Rizoli

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