partying-kingdom-hall
A kingdom hall in Michigan momentarily resembles a pentecostal church, as convention delegates dance to “Happy” by Pharrell Williams

A YouTube video recently uploaded by a delegate to one of the 2014 international conventions is causing a stir among current and former Witnesses alike.

Now with over 11,000 views the video, shot on June 6th by a delegate to the Detroit international convention, shows an entertainment event being hosted in what appears to be a kingdom hall.

Jehovah’s Witnesses from three different congregations are shown partying with their delegate guests to a series of songs, mostly comprising ‘worldly’ hits from the Sixties.

Classic hits such as “Stand By Me,” “Up On The Roof” and “Stay” are performed by a musical ensemble led by an older brother on the drums, who introduces each song as though it has a ‘theocratic’ angle. Delegates are told that “Stand By Me,” for example, has “lyrics that emphasize the closeness that we have to each other in Jehovah’s organization.”

Once the band has vacated the stage, the kingdom hall later erupts into dancing to the song “Happy” by rapper Pharrell Williams (see time marker 29:55). This is the same song that was recently danced to by a number of former Witnesses, including yours truly, in a special video.

Interestingly, as any relatively well-informed Witness will tell you, kingdom halls (as buildings dedicated to worship) are usually deemed as fitting venues ONLY for regular meetings, ‘theocratic’ arrangements, weddings or funerals.

And as the following excerpt from page 127 of the Shepherd the Flock of God elder’s manual shows, even couples getting married should not expect the playing of so-called ‘worldly’ songs at their ceremony.

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After reading the above, you might be tempted to see the YouTube video as evidence that Watchtower is becoming more relaxed and mainstream. But if this is the case, please don’t get your hopes up!

As already explained in a recent article, international conventions are a huge money-spinner for Watchtower. Those wealthy enough to be “delegates” (and who meet the physical and ‘spiritual’ criteria) must fork out eye-watering sums of money to stay at Watchtower-approved hotels, and in some cases will pay a premium on their flights if they book through one of the organization’s prearranged travel agencies.

I write with some personal experience on the matter after being told how much a close relative from the UK once paid to attend an international convention as a delegate in mainland Europe. The amount he paid Watchtower for an event only two hour’s flying time away was closer to what I would have expected him to pay to jet off to Australia.

Unsurprisingly, those who are willing to pay handsomely for the privilege of attending an event where they have an opportunity of rubbing shoulders with a Governing Body member (which is the only significant difference between an international and a regional convention), are treated like royalty.

After all, Watchtower wants these elite individuals to also consider being delegates for future events, and not become disillusioned.

And so it is that the rulebook can so easily be thrown out of the window where international convention delegates are concerned.

A couple getting married are not giving hundreds or even thousands of dollars to Watchtower, so they don’t get to walk down the aisle to Celine Dion. An international delegate, on the other hand, is lining Watchtower’s pockets quite nicely, and so can expect some bang for his buck when it comes to entertainment and ‘hospitality’.

And when it comes to keeping their wealthy backers happy, the Governing Body are only too willing to oblige.

 

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***UPDATE – Since this article was published the following video has been obtained showing line dancing at a kingdom hall in Euless, Texas, to entertain international delegates***

164 thoughts on “Partying in the kingdom hall – why OK for convention delegates, but not newlyweds?

  • July 9, 2014 at 12:25 pm
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    What surprises me most are all the positive comments this video has left by the Witnesses themselves. I personally thought for sure this video was going to cause a big exodus from the Organization…but I guess I was wrong. JWs seemed to see Jehovah’s blessing all over this and that’s amazes me. But God help them all because if they’ll swallow this – they’ll swallow the Kool-Aid too.

    To think I lived to see the day when an entire congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses got up and started dancing the jerk to a worldly song on the platform and in the aisles of a Kingdom Hall – with an old guy looking like one of the governing body members on the drums. But the end is near…right?!

  • July 9, 2014 at 1:52 pm
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    Excelsior – you do remember the Israelite got into trouble for attending and dancing to music dealing with Baal worship and when Moses went into the Mountains and the Israelite were playing music and worshiping the Golden calf this was wrong(Pharrell life style is not exactly one a Christian would want to emulate). Also if a christian couple wanted to use Happy as song at KH they would be told no, according to the flock book. This is definitely a double standard.

  • July 9, 2014 at 2:25 pm
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    A time for war?

  • July 9, 2014 at 3:08 pm
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    Great Germany Team yesterday

    I love Soccer Word Cup

  • July 9, 2014 at 3:25 pm
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    In the excerpt from the secret manual above, there are
    several petty rules, expressed in an authoritarian tone, But
    what is absolutely appalling, Is the statement, “There should
    be no person in the wedding party whose life style grossly
    conflicts with Bible principles”.

    What a nerve, demanding that wedding guests are vetted to
    determine who is fit to associate with God’s Holy Organization, What self righteousness.

    Luke 18,9-14. God I thank you that I am not like other men,
    Extortioners, Adulterers, or like this Tax Collector, next to me.

    And where do you draw the line on that rule, You may want
    Your non witness brother as best man, but he works in the
    betting industry, or your cousin as brides maid, but she’s
    employed in a cigarette factory, It’ just a morass of Talmud
    rules, Controling every aspect of people’s lives.

  • July 9, 2014 at 5:56 pm
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    Seeing women taking ‘the lead’ on the KH platform teaching how to do dance moves. Dancing and clapping to a rapper’s song who was in the ‘blurred lines’ video. Wow.
    And approved by the ‘faithful slave’. all in a structure that was dedicated to God. Is this what the new and improved version of the ‘Truth’ is all about? JW.org?

  • July 9, 2014 at 6:46 pm
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    The band is not really that good. They should have spent more time on saturday mornings practicing instead of field service.

  • July 9, 2014 at 8:08 pm
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    But that’s just the point…this event was sanctioned by JW.org/the Watchtower. This was not just an isolated congregation who decided to do this on their own. There is a paradigm shift going on within the Organization and teachings to the contrary be damned. Here’s a video of two Bethelites getting in on the act as instructed from Watchtower heads: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hp3pozSYa-w

  • July 9, 2014 at 10:37 pm
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    I agree and I was impressed. I don’t see anything “eeeee-vile” in smiling, moving to a rhythm, and enjoying each others company. If there is a loving God, he would enjoy seeing his creations experiencing JOY. But then I never believed in the murderous god of the Old Testament who seemed to enjoy his creations suffering, a god who was delighted in the actions of David and Jacob when they killed men in order to present their foreskins to that god or plundered innocents.

  • July 9, 2014 at 10:39 pm
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    Amen, but no one seems to care and that’s fine with me.

  • July 10, 2014 at 12:58 am
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    Cedars, is it really so that the GB only appear in international conventions? From what I remember, Loesch toured a few DC locations last year in Europe.

    • July 10, 2014 at 1:12 am
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      I didn’t say there was anything stopping a GB member from appearing at a regular convention. But it’s only at international conventions that you are guaranteed an appearance by one of them.

  • July 10, 2014 at 2:43 am
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    I LOVED YOUR COMMENT!!!!!

    my outrage right now is at 100!

    the desegregation of gods name.! ohh holy jehovah have mercy!

    they are dancing and singing a song created by a mainstream pop artist. yet have the nerve to tell us that we cant listen to rap on our spare time??

    BULL!!!

    ALL of mainstream is demonic and they are dancing right to the toon of Satan.

    THE BLATANT HYPOCRISY!!!

  • July 10, 2014 at 2:45 am
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    THEY WOULD HAVE SAID TO MOSES
    “ITS JUST SONG A DANCE TO A GOLDEN STATUE. WE ARE JUST TRYING TO HAVE A GOOD TIME”

  • July 10, 2014 at 3:02 am
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    @Rudeawake

    I LOVED YOUR COMMENT!!!!!

  • July 10, 2014 at 3:40 am
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    Everything is broken. Bob Dylan.

  • July 10, 2014 at 3:42 am
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    @ EXCELSIOR;Thanks to you pal for giving this another look, seeing it for what it is…In my many years with this org ,i do know without a shadow of a doubt;if anyone one of us dared to even shake a shoulder, furthermore shake a leg or do the wave and the jerk;we would of been deposited right out the door.You would be considered as worldly…and if a wedding couple cannot even play and dance to the HAWAIIAN WEDDING SONG WHICH IS TRADITIONALLY BEAUTIFUL WITH NO VULGARITY!!!Then to sanction and allow sisters to get their way to carry on and do the squirm and the jerk right from the platform…and here i want to borrow one of cedars phases ;it speaks volumes !!!!!!!! yes,while it’s okay to have some fun.THIS ONE WENT WAY OVER BOARD AND OUT OF LINE..THINGS LIKE THESE IS WHY I’VE GOT ONE FOOT IN AND ONE FOOT OUT BECAUSE OF ALL THE HYPOCRISY THAT’S SPREADING ABOUT…NOW YOU KNOW WHY MY NAME IS Rudeawake …because i used to love to read the awakes,but lately i’ve been rudely awaken to see the face behind the curtain. PEACE TO YOU AND THANK YOU CEDARS FOR THIS TIMELY EXPO’SE !!!

  • July 10, 2014 at 3:52 am
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    I went down to where the vultures feed would have gone deeper but there wasn’t any need. I’ve heard the tongues of angels & and the tongues of men all seemed the same to me. Bob D. Diginity. X

  • July 10, 2014 at 3:59 am
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    Thank you kindly john!!!just like you i want to be fair honest and balanced as best as i can without being bitter ..even though i’ve been hurt and treated very badly by the org,yet JEHOVAH REMAINS A GOD OF LOVE …YES WE HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO SPEAK UP AND SPEAK OUT ABOUT ALL OF THESES THINGS THAT ARE UNPLEASANT..BROTHERLY LOVE AND PEACE BE UNTO YOU .YOUR WIFE AND THE BEAUTIFUL CHILD.

  • July 10, 2014 at 4:04 am
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    English man looks again for dignity:-) thank you Sir. Did say u looked like :-) thanks.x

  • July 10, 2014 at 5:15 am
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    I have found all the comments here very enlightening.

    There was a drama production in the Early ’80’s… my one and only line (in Spanish) was…”but, it is ONLY Music and Dancing!” My how the double standards come a long way.

    At that time a Bethel heavy was criticizing the production of Kingdom Melodies by a group of Danish brothers and sisters… with guitar music and rhythm. He objected to the presentation at the North London Assembly hall.

    Further he refused to attend the Annual Family night in the Kingdom Hall attached to the Branch.

    At the same time outside workers were allowed to smoke their “roll up” cigarettes in the foyer.. and a picture of the GB from years ago, hand on the stair well… one of their number with a pipe in mouth.

    Is this the House of Jehovah, Bethel… or merely the convenient production house of a Printing and Publishing corporation.

    This particular Heavy was a huge influence on my own Life. At that time I felt very awkward, “partying” in the Kingdom Hall… and, did not attend either. My conscience would not allow it.

    I know that a Kingdom Hall was never meant to be a Temple, Synagogue or Church… but, I was always taught it was a place of pure worship and dedicated to Jehovah. What would the passing public have thought of the Party in Mill Hill?

    Or, maybe this is the time for WT to just blend and join the rest of Christendom… that it despises and mocks so much!

  • July 10, 2014 at 7:41 am
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    OK thanks, I didn’t know that.

    There’s definitely some weird stuff going on around these conventions, have you seen this? ==> http://imgur.com/wv0JuRU

  • July 10, 2014 at 8:01 am
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    After reading this post and your comments guys I was convinced that “apostates” doesn’t want JW’s to be happy.

  • July 10, 2014 at 9:00 am
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    @Kurapika:
    Not at all. The problem is recruiting individuals with different standards of “The Truth”. When doctrine and acceptable standards “flip flop” and are turned side ways it is no wonder that some feel affronted!

    You forget that the People of God CELEBRATED many things. How many things have the Kiddies and even Adults got to look forward each year?

    I attended the KH with my Father recently. The study article took the usual WT twist, about the time of Hezekiah (I think)… a celebration and feasting, followed by Listening to the pronouncements of the Priesthood and standing for hours. No emphasis on the celebration or the enjoyment at all.

    On the other hand, just finally, the GB senses that it is about time we (loosely) became a fully integrated people. Maybe attracting others, by Joy and celebration will keep the congregations going.

    There are Apostates and there are those who are merely Disillusioned…but labelled as Apostates.

  • July 10, 2014 at 2:18 pm
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    The JW Org has influenced my family for over 50yrs. So when heavy handed teachings that have resulted in disciplinarian strictures and great family upset throughout this period are suddenly not important or relevant anymore, it is somewhat riling.

    Pop music was an ABSOLUTE NO NO for any JW teenager. Worldly and Satanic it caused numerous unnecessary battles between parents and teenagers going through the normal growing up process.

    As for any form of entertainment in the KH – well that was never on the cards. The KH was a place solely for worship, with the only sound of music being Kingdom Melodies.

    Years ago Watchtower even put a stop to sisters playing the kingdom songs on the piano in the KH, using the reasoning that it drew too much attention upon an individual.

    So when I see what is being sanctioned now by the Org, although I think it is great that the current active JWs (or at least those convention delegates) are allowed to “let their hair down”, albeit that it is no doubt a marketing strategy; the flip flopping and double standards of this Org totally disgusts me.

  • July 10, 2014 at 2:31 pm
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    @Kurapika, there is no one posting here that is against any of Jehovah’s Witnesses having fun. It’s where they are having the “fun”. I have been to many get-togethers over the years and wedding celebrations and graduation get-togethers and and Witnesses have just as much fun as any other people. The Kingdom Hall is supposed to be a place of “worship”, not a place to have a good time. The Governing Body telling these congregations to “entertain” these delegates in these Kingdom Halls is hypocritical.

  • July 10, 2014 at 3:26 pm
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    I started to see these videos pop up once the conventions started last month. This is certainly one of the more shocking to me. If you want some real fun, search the hashtag JW via instagram and you will be in shock at the results. One of my favorites is various JW’s that have taken selfies with their convention name badge on, or in kingdom hall bathrooms all the while their phone case is the American flag, or another country. . I’m not kidding. To Cedar’s point, look at the picture in this link to see the way JW’s video record nearly everything inside kingdom halls these days. The picture is 100% authentic. http://myplasticmic.blogspot.com/

  • July 10, 2014 at 5:01 pm
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    This is the epitome of hypocrisy! The JWs are now right up there with Pentecostals. Although, one thing I do want to mention is that for many decades at brooklyn bethel during family night they did have singing and dancing at the Kingdom Hall downstairs across the 124 Columbia Heights.

  • July 10, 2014 at 6:00 pm
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    Just to compare the controversy this sort of “dancing” in a holy place to “worldly music” invokes and how “peas in a pod” and off the same shoot/tree two different groups are:

    [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4C5uKC10nO8&w=960&h=720%5D

    Just found article’s opinions and comments very amusing, that’s all–

    No “Harlem Shake” for the Kingdom Hall, yet, but Pharrell’s hit is 2013/2014 “Harlem Shake” equivalent. Close as you get..

    [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIP3mr5r2zM&w=1280&h=720%5D

    You’d probably have to squeeze Anthony Morris into a pair of tiny pantalones (maybe gold lamé?) and have him strut across the convention platform to give me “shock”–yeah, lots of Johnny Walker to erase that image, today. Sha na na na, dib, dib, dib….

    asdfasdfadf

  • July 10, 2014 at 11:23 pm
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    And another thing… My husband won’t even allow me to pass out invitations for a baby shower at the hall… Go figure… When I told him about this he blamed me for focusing on the negative… Help!!!

  • July 11, 2014 at 2:13 am
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    Best meeting ever… a fluke of course.

    Double and triple standards… the WTS is full of crap, as usual.

  • July 11, 2014 at 4:20 am
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    very hypocritical, no Love is a many splendid thing at the KH wedding but a rap song for the delegates.

  • July 11, 2014 at 8:56 am
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    I agree with a lot of posters in the defiling of God’s House whether it be a KH or a church.
    …… unquestionably WT are easing back on their control in this area, because of fear of low recruitment numbers to come and with all the truth coming out through sites like Cedar’s and utube, this is a way of receiving more accolades from the masses ” how good they are in allowing us to dance”.

    WT is getting aware that they are on a loosing battle but i am sure they will fight to the end because MONEY is their God and the profitability of WT Bible tract society is everything to them.

    Another very clear sign that Jesus does not lead this organization.

  • July 11, 2014 at 5:15 pm
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    And that sister twirling around the platform, how sinful! We couldn’t even walk on that on cleaning days without feeling guilty.

  • July 11, 2014 at 7:06 pm
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    Good point Hoy!
    seems to me the WT is catering for the young these days as they are the future of this org, many are leaving because of rules, and the internet has exposed their hypocrisy from their own literature, and have noticed that of past few months there are many more new youtube newbies joining the growing number of witnesses against the WT.

    Well done!

  • July 12, 2014 at 7:39 am
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    HIn the excerpt from the secret manual above, there are
    several petty rules, expressed in an authoritarian tone, But
    what is absolutely appalling, Is the statement, “There should
    be no person in the wedding party whose life style grossly
    conflicts with Bible principles”.

    What a nerve, demanding that wedding guests are vetted to
    determine who is fit to associate with God’s Holy Organization, What self righteousness.

    Luke 18,9-14. God I thank you that I am not like other men,
    Extortioners, Adulterers, or like this Tax Collector, next to me.

    And where do you draw the line on that rule, You may want
    Your non witness brother as best man, but he works in the
    betting industry, or your cousin as brides maid, but she’s
    employed in a cigarette factory, It’ just a morass of Talmud
    rules, Controling every aspect of people’s lives.

  • July 12, 2014 at 3:40 pm
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    Don’t forget – when Moses descended the mount it was “party-sounds” he first heard and then the sight of the Jews cavorting around their Golden Calf – I see no difference here. Oh some responded …”well at least we are ‘easing’ up a little” Suddenly no one searches for guiding / defining principles. Went to a few weddings recently [I don’t rate high on invite lists] and the dress code has definitely shifted. Lots of flesh, cleavage and of course the bare back and mid-riff thing – and that’s not the worldly tag-alongs – that was the elders wives and daughters. So we have indeed eased up a little – Ahem!
    As to the DVD clip [above] – its crappy performance albeit very innocent – a set of clips is floating around elsewhere where there is a really polished bunch playing under an open marquee in the grounds of an Assembly Hall with everyone cavorting around in collar / tie and assembly badge – nice music. But …………..my beef is what is sauce for the goose is…………. Now the same shitty elders cavorting there are going to be on your case JC or otherwise next week making a judgement on you.

  • July 12, 2014 at 11:34 pm
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    I can’t click on the video cos I’m sure it will just make me cringe. These people are probably having a good time, but typical, it’s only for a select few. And I agree, so hypocritical, the rules are overlooked when it suits them.
    I remember the meetings being so boring, they sucked the life out of me. The only time I felt uplifted was when I was walking back out the door after the final prayer. Even if we had been allowed to sing and dance to ‘Happy’, I’d still be counting down the minutes for when I could go home.

  • July 13, 2014 at 8:11 pm
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    haha – I wonder if kids still get spanked for going on stage!?!?!

  • July 14, 2014 at 9:20 am
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    What the elders and GB in this case should say, “Do as I say and not as I do!” That’s the real point here. If the rank-and-file have a good time, then “NO NO NO!” If the elders, leaders, and GB have a good time, “OK”.

    “It’s good to be the king!” – Mel Brooks in ‘History of the World Part I’ as King Louis XVI.

  • July 14, 2014 at 3:22 pm
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    They all look happy but being an ex JW know the “real truth” Sorry to say but JW’s brought up in this cult from childhood are not allowed to speak out, ask questions or think for themselves. trying to leave the organization at age 17 found me in a back room with several Elders and I telling my parents I would have to choose my family and stay in their faith or my parents could have no contact with me (this was 30 years ago btw) or any of my siblings. I do know not all congregations are mismanaged as the one I attended but being forced apart from your family is not a loving or Christian action (I only left upon visiting the Watchtower and tract society in NYC and seeing Christian crosses printed at the top of all literature when Russell was president had me asking a lot of questions that could not be answered and the more I asked the more I was told to be quiet and not talk about it) so that was the beginning of my doubt and many more questions. The JW religion was founded(invented)in 1872 by Charles Russell-mankind has been around hundreds of thousands of years and suddenly this Man has the answers? Not likely. The children are brainwashed and most adults entering this cult are looking for something in life and can’t think for themselves. They are followers and want an easy out. Leaving was the absolute best thing I ever did and have never looked back. The first day I was gone felt like the first time I had ever breathed oxygen. I still have no contact with family and I’m fine with that. I wasn’t looking to go out and live a wild lifestyle…I would have chosen death than live another moment as a JW. I know Truth and this is not it!

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