I posted another version of this a few months back. At the time I asked for comments on it, and subsequently ignored almost everything anyone told me. There are some who said, "Go for it!" Others recommended a differet tone. My present position is this: My mother apparently recognizes me as an apostate after a conversation we had about six months ago. A few days ago my daughter received a letter from her. She indicated that she'd still like to at least update her on things going on with the family. She said this would be all right as long as my daughter was not "affiliated with the apostate group."
So she's 72 and my dad will soon be 74. They're still in good health, but are going to soon be moving in with my older sister and her husband (both active JWs.) I can either spend time trying to convince her I'm not the apostate she thinks I am. Or I can just tell the truth. I'm opting for plan B.
I expect precious few of you to make it all the way through this tome, but if you do, at least let me know what you thought. Okay? Thanks, Confession.
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9/1/2006
My Dear Mother,
Thank you for sending me your point of view several months ago. It was not difficult to comprehend since your point of view used to be my point of view. I now believe that it was a point of view born of living in a sort of bubble. I know I never thought I was in a bubble; indeed I was greatly offended when some non-Witness would suggest such a thing. But now I know it was exactly that.
“We usually believe what we want to believe, and one thing we like to believe is that we do our own thinking. Hence it is not too hard for clever propagandists to make us think their thoughts are ours. They plant the thought and nourish it, but do it so subtly that we may think it is our own.” [Watchtower, June 15, 1956, page 360]
The above comment from the Watchtower could have two applications pertinent to our present difference of opinion. It could apply to me. It could mean that “apostates” have cleverly persuaded me to accept their thoughts—and that they are wrong. It could also apply to you. It could mean that the Watchtower Society has subtly persuaded you to accept theirs—and that they are wrong.
“When anyone is replying to a matter before he hears it, that is foolishness on his part and a humiliation.” [Proverbs 18:13, NWT—underlining added]
Do you agree with the above scripture? If so, would it be right for any individual to conclude that his or her own position must be the correct or morally superior one—without considering all the information?
“Education teaches you how to think. Propagandists tell you what to think. True educators present all sides of an issue and encourage discussion. Propagandists hammer hard on their view and discourage discussion… But even educated, sophisticated persons fall prey to a very unfair and untrue type of propaganda. This type assumes a superior air of dismissal of an opponent’s viewpoint, treating it as rather pathetic and really not worth attention.” [Awake!, August 22, 1978, pages 3 & 4]
Do you agree that assuming such an “air of dismissal” and discouraging open discussion of all the available information would be “unfair?” I can certainly commend the Watchtower Society for presenting the above. In fact they have often done similarly.
“We need to examine, not only what we personally believe, but also what is taught by any religious organization with which we may be associated. Are its teachings in full harmony with God's Word, or are they based on the traditions of men? If we are lovers of the truth, there is nothing to fear from such an examination.” [The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life, 1968, page 13]
This is certainly an admirable position: the Watchtower Society is teaching that we should all have nothing to fear in examining “any religious organization with which we may be associated.” But does the Watchtower Society apply the same position to the examination of its own religion? Do they themselves “encourage discussion” that may challenge the things they teach?
“The first essential for study is the right condition of mind and heart, appreciating that Jehovah grants understanding only to the meek, and not to the stiff-necked. If we have love for Jehovah and for the organization of his people we shall not be suspicious, but shall, as the Bible says, 'believe all things,' all the things that The Watchtower brings out…” [Qualified, 1955, page 156]
“We may think of study as hard work, as involving heavy research. But in Jehovah's organization it is not necessary to spend a lot of time and energy in research, for there are brothers in the organization who are assigned to do that very thing , to help you who do not have so much time for this, these preparing the good material in The Watchtower and other publications of the Society. But you do not study enough? Take this suggestion: Often the very best and most beneficial studying you do is that done when you read a new Watchtower or Awake! or a new book with the joy of getting the new truths and a fresh view.” [Watchtower, June 1, 1967, page 338]
“Jehovah is not pleased if we receive that food as though it might contain something harmful . We should have confidence in the channel God is using.” [Watchtower, February 15, 1981, page 19]
“Now, what will you do if you are confronted with apostate teaching—subtle reasonings—claiming that what you believe as one of Jehovah's Witnesses is not the truth? (underlining added) For example, what will you do if you receive a letter or some literature, open it, and see right away that it is from an apostate? Will curiosity cause you to read it, just to see what he has to say? You may even reason: 'It won't affect me; I'm too strong in the truth. And, besides, if we have the truth, we have nothing to fear. The truth will stand the test.' In thinking this way, some have fed their minds upon apostate reasoning and have fallen prey to serious questioning and doubt.” [Watchtower, March 15, 1986, pages 10-15]
So, although the Watchtower Society encourages a thorough and open-minded examination of the things taught by a religion, this only applies to religions other than its own. We should “believe all things” they say, leaving most of the study and research to certain “brothers in the organization.” How incongruous it is for them to publish that “if we are lovers of the truth there is nothing to fear” in scrutinizing another religion, but the same sort of examination into Watchtower teachings is something in which “Jehovah is not pleased.” Any suggestion that “what you believe as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses is not the truth” must be considered—not an open minded examination—but instead the devious propaganda of apostates. Mom, does this at all remind you of the aforementioned “superior air of dismissal?” For me, the logic is circular and points to a shaky foundation. Consider…
“This is God’s true organization.”
“If so, why be afraid of hearing out one who disagrees?”
“Because they might lead you away from God’s true organization.”
“But what if these ones are right?”
“They can’t be right since this is God’s true organization.”
“But shouldn’t such an organization withstand honest-hearted scrutiny?”
“It’s thinking like that that has led many away from God’s true organization.”
Under what circumstances is it wise to disallow yourself the hearing of all sides of an important issue? Mother, if you were truly confident that something were true, but someone disagreed with you, would you feel the need to warn everyone you knew not to listen to that person? And would you take the further step of threatening that you might punish and enforce a group shunning against them if they did listen? If someone did that to you, might you not think they had something to hide?
But they’re referring to looking at information provided by “apostates.” Doesn’t that make a difference? Well what exactly are apostates?
The term comes from a Greek word, which means literally “standing apart.” Strictly speaking, anyone who defects from belief in a religion, political party or any other belief system can be called an apostate from that system . By this definition it is not wrong to call people who once but no longer believe in all the teachings of the Watchtower Society, apostates from their group . Similarly, all current Jehovah’s Witnesses who were once part of another religion are now themselves apostates. Mom, weren’t you a Methodist at one point? Then you are an apostate… from the Methodist church. But how haughty would it be if Methodists branded you an apostate from Christianity itself?
I feel it is incredibly presumptuous and arrogant of Watchtower followers to assert that someone leaving their organization is also “leaving Jehovah.” Yet I used to say the same thing. It all seemed so simple. We had “The Truth.” We were in association with the sole channel of communication from Him. A group of men in Brooklyn, New York were now taking the lead among Christ’s faithful and discreet slave class. I’d been so convinced that we were right in this, that I simply couldn’t believe someone would leave unless they had a wicked heart or were possessed by Satan. And when it came to field service, it was difficult to imagine why—with everlasting life at stake—so few would listen to our warnings.
Now I find myself in a similar position. I now recognize that these men were not actually what I thought they were. And now I want to help my friends and family to see this. However, just as people at the door would usually not listen to us, so too I know that most active Jehovah’s Witnesses will not listen to me when I try to explain this to them. But this time there’s a big difference.
The difference is that now my position is based on a willingness to consider all of the information. Doing this was so difficult for me because of the remarkably well executed system by which the Watchtower Society keeps us from all of the information. Basically this involves constant warnings that such might subvert our faith. But the enormity of evidence that the Watchtower Society is not what it purports to be does not challenge a faith in God. So any subversion would be—not of our faith in God—but of our faith in the Watchtower Society as God’s special, human instrument.
This thought does in fact occur to many (if not most) active Witnesses. They wonder, “Why, if this truly is God’s sole organization, should we fear listening to the views of those who disagree?” What keeps them from asking this question too loudly? What stops them from considering the evidence that it might not be what they think it is? Doesn’t the profound importance of this subject demand that we consider all of the evidence? Mom, shouldn’t any organization claiming to be something as important as “God’s sole channel” be willing to subject itself to an honest-hearted, rational examination?
One way that the Watchtower Society combats this thinking is by branding as “twisted, empty speech” anything that does not confess their leadership as being divinely appointed by God. Examples are provided of certain accusations made against them that might be frivolous and unfounded. Granted, some accusations may in fact be exercises in opportunistic faultfinding. But an overwhelming amount of information exists that is as well-supported and well-reasoned as anything you’ve ever seen in your life. If it weren’t the Society wouldn’t care so much, would they? And really what should be the yardstick in determining what information is and is not relevant? Should we as adults, with the mind God gave us, not be in a position to judge for ourselves what is truth? Or should we just hand this judgment over to the Watchtower Society—those themselves in question?
“Keep testing whether YOU are in the faith, keep proving what YOU yourselves are. Or do YOU not recognize that Jesus Christ is in union with YOU?” [2 Corinthians 13:5, NWT]
Active Witnesses entertaining the above logic are met with another barrier keeping them from considering information critical of their organization: the terrifying fear of being disfellowshipped and cut off from their family and friends if the result of any investigation leads to the conclusion that the Society isn’t what it says it is. What an effective device! Fear of abandonment. Of course the Watchtower Society favors the spin that it is not they who are abandoning you, but you who are abandoning Jehovah. Never mind that there is nothing further from your mind. You see to them “faith in Jehovah” equals “faith in the Watchtower Society.” Even if you made the decision to be baptized when you were twelve years old, you are still held as a wicked apostate, as if any twelve year old (or teenager) can comprehend the facts sufficient to dedicate his or her life to the belief that a group can be “God’s true organization.”
And so it goes like this…
1) We are discouraged from looking at information critical of the Watchtower Society, being told that it is dangerous and can destroy our faith.
2) We are told that any such information is ridiculous and unfounded anyway, which persuades us not to waste our time with it.
3) We are in effect threatened that, if we were to become convinced that the Watchtower Society isn’t what it claims to be and admit as much, we would be branded as wicked enemies of God, and would be cut off from our families and our entire community of friends.
You have to make it through these three layers of propaganda and institutional manipulation in order to finally give yourself permission to conduct an objective investigation into this organization. It’s an awful lot to have to go through for the simple right to use your head.
This authority exercised over Jehovah’s Witnesses by representatives of the Watchtower Society is comparable to that of the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. It was this legalistic authoritarianism that he warned against perhaps more than all other things.
“Watch out for the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 But there is nothing carefully concealed that will not be revealed, and secret that that will not become known. 3 Wherefore what things YOU say in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what YOU whisper in private rooms will be preached from the housetops.” [Luke 12:1-3, NWT]
A few hundred years ago in United States’ history, there developed a concern about “witches.” This concern escalated into a sort of hysteria over them. Hundreds were accused, dozens languished in jail for months, nineteen were hanged and one man over eighty years of age was crushed to death by heavy stones for refusing to submit to a “witch trial.” People who didn’t really know what a “witch” was became fearful that they’d be accused. The hysteria resulted in many people being wrongly indicted. To deflect attention some concocted stories about others, accusing them of being “witches.”
So this word, “witch,” struck fear in the hearts of people. They knew that the community leaders were whipped up into a frenzy about witches. They knew that those found to be “witches” would be publicly executed. The word, “witch,” developed an exaggerated meaning and took on a life of its own. From all available accounts, there was no legitimate witchcraft being practiced by those so accused, but where such a powerful word was concerned, it seemed simply being accused as a “witch” was enough to get people thinking you were wicked.
The same thing has happened with this term “apostate” among Jehovah’s Witnesses. The Christian apostate was one who had previously accepted Christianity but who had willfully left the teaching. But, since the Watchtower Society declares there is no legitimate Christianity outside its organization, when people leave them they are not merely apostates from their group— but apostates from Christianity itself. It matters not that such ones may still follow and profess their faith in Christ. The organization has infused this word with its own special meaning. One that arrogantly asserts there is no faith in God apart from faith in the Watchtower Society.
So here again most Witnesses don’t really appreciate the actual meaning of “apostate.” It’s just a word that inspires fear. They know that the Society has scathing words of denunciation for any who suggest those in association with them are not the sole channel of communication from God. They know that such ones are disfellowshipped and often shunned by their families and entire community of friends. In the presence of such frightful things, is it likely that most Witnesses will decide to question the Society’s accusation that such ones are wicked persons? No. Sadly, they usually accept the perspective provided by the Watchtower Society itself.
In your letter to me, you make several statements about “apostates.”
“The ones who are trying so hard to disgrace it and spend so much time trying to convey to others how terrible the WT Society is, aren’t governed by love, but by hate and that hate and discontent will eat them up.”
I have some questions for you.
Does a person need to be “trying so hard to disgrace” the Watchtower Society in order for him or her to be labeled an “apostate” by them?
No. All a baptized Witness must do is decide they no longer recognize the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society as representing the sole channel of communication from God and they are considered an apostate. Most people who wake up to the facts concerning the Society do not spend time trying to convey “how terrible the WT Society is.” On the contrary, many live in fear that someone will find out their true feelings and that they will be cut off from their families for simply following their own consciences. But it doesn’t matter, does it? Regardless of their actual disposition, the Watchtower Society will characterize them as “self-styled teachers” “who by smooth, deceptive speech “cause divisions and occasions for stumbling...””
But what about those who do spend time trying to shed light on the facts regarding the Society? If you believed your friends or family were being deceived by a religious organization, wouldn’t you want them to know? Isn’t such an effort an important reason why Jehovah’s Witnesses themselves speak to their friends and family about their religion? When speaking to (for example) Catholics, haven’t you, throughout your life, tried to show them how they were being deceived? Why is this different?
Mom, the fact that I have allowed myself permission to consider all the available information pertaining to the Watchtower Society—and that I no longer allow these men to exercise authority over me—does not mean that I’m trying to be a “teacher” or that I am looking for some type of “glory” or that I am “persecuting” anyone, any more than it means such of you when you try to show someone from another religion how you think they are being misled.
“It is not persecution for an informed person to expose a certain religion as being false.” [Watchtower, November 15, 1963]
This illustrates how the Watchtower Society has been successful in manipulating the thinking of its adherents:
When one of Jehovah’s Witnesses speaks out against any other religion, it is “a fine Christian witness” of “exposing the lies of Babylonish religion.”
But when a person speaks out against the Watchtower Society, they are “enemies of true worship,” who will slyly try to deceive with “slander and half truths” which will only result in a “quick-spreading spiritual death.”
This is what is known as a classic ad hominem attack. It appeals to personal considerations rather than to logic or reason. The Society only rarely addresses the evidence that one in disagreement with them is an enemy of God. Any who simply disagree with certain Watchtower interpretations or policy are labeled as being criticizers of “the way Jehovah is having his work done,” when actually the issue is whether there is proof that it is Jehovah who is causing the organization to act as it does in a number of areas.
“In the 1870’s anointed Christians began to make determined efforts to disassociate themselves from the whorish ways of Babylon the Great. They abandoned false doctrines that Christendom had brought in from paganism and boldly used the Bible in preaching that the times of the Gentiles would end in 1914. The chief instrument of Babylon the Great, the clergy of Christendom, opposed these stirrings of restoration of true worship. During the first world war, they took advantage of wartime hysteria to try to stamp out that small group of faithful Christians.” [Revelation Climax, 1988, page 209, underlining added]
The Watchtower organization has, especially from the days of Rutherford until this very day, waged war against all other religions. “Religion is a Snare and a Racket!!” they proclaimed throughout the streets. In 1956, Brother Knorr yelled out to more than 30,000 Witnesses, “Christendom must be cut down and thrown into the fire!” Whether a religion espouses Christianity or some other system of belief, they assert that it is “deserving of the fiery expression of Jehovah’s wrath” and “fit for destruction.”
Mom, it’s impossible to deny that the Watchtower Society spends a great deal of time “trying to convey to others how terrible” other religions are. So why should we not consider the Society as being ‘governed by hate?’
The only possible answer is that, at some point in your life, you became convinced that those in association with the Watchtower Society had been chosen as God’s spokesman, and as such they have the right to say what they will, while other religions do not. Any attacks made by them would be righteous, while any made against them would be evil. And that is your right. Yes, you are entitled to make decisions about what you believe and what you don’t. But so is everyone else, aren’t they?
You and I are both human beings—and this is the case with every single other person alive. We have the right to make decisions and choices. To use the mind God gave us to come to conclusions about what we will believe. It’s certainly a fact of life that different people will often come to different conclusions. What do you do when you find disagreement with someone? I think you’d agree that most reasonable, well-adjusted people will present their point of view, listen to the opposing point of view, and, if no harmony is found, agree to disagree. The problem comes when some people feel so strongly that their view is correct, they become angry with those who disagree, and try to cause them trouble.
Imagine a group of children among whom a disagreement develops. One of them tries to get the others to join his side in opposition to another child. The first child may try to get the others not to play with or talk to the second. Would the Watchtower Society condone this behavior? No, but they will reserve the right—not only to excommunicate someone who questions their authority—but to enforce a complete shunning on him. No one will play with or talk to him. Is this really what the scriptures teach?
“But now I am writing YOU to quit mixing in company with anyone called a brother that is a fornicator or a greedy person or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner, not even eating with such a man… Remove the wicked [man] from among yourselves.” [1 Cor. 5:11&13, NWT]
Since the man to which Paul here referred was deliberately carrying on grossly sinful behavior, the congregation was advised not to be “mixing in company” with him—or anyone like him. It says nothing about not speaking to him.
“..withdraw from every brother walking disorderly and not according to the tradition YOU received from us… But if anyone is not obedient to our word through this letter, keep this one marked, stop associating with him, that he may become ashamed. And yet do not be considering him as an enemy, but continue admonishing him as a brother.” [2 Thess. 3:6, 14, 15, NWT]
Wait a minute… “Continue admonishing him as a brother?” How can you continue to do this if you have been warned never to speak or have any dealings with him or her? The truth is that the concept of shunning as practiced by the Watchtower Society is quite different from the ‘withdrawal’ practiced by first century Christians. Since the above scripture proved troubling to the Society’s teaching on shunning, they invented the spin that while the verses in 1 Corinthians refer to shunning, the verses in 2 Thessalonians must be referring to a situation in which a person has done something wrong—but not quite bad enough to require a full shunning.
But isn’t there a scriptural principle that does teach Christians not to speak to certain ones?
“Everyone that pushes ahead and does not remain in the teaching of the Christ does not have God . . . If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, never receive him into your homes or say a greeting to him. For he that says a greeting to him is a sharer in his wicked works.” [2 John 9 – 11, NWT]
So the only time the scriptures teach Christians shouldn’t “say a greeting” to someone is when they “bring” something other than “the teaching of the Christ.” But so many of those whom the Watchtower Society would have you believe are “apostates” are doing no such thing. The disfellowshipping of those who’ve decided the Society isn’t “God’s sole channel” is simply one way they try with all their might to preserve their authority. How evil is that?
Further on this, it appears that—even though the Bible does indicate we shouldn’t “say a greeting” to such ones—it does not constitute the institutional shunning the Watchtower Society enforces today. Consider: In the book of Job, Jehovah becomes engaged in a controversial discussion with Satan, the first and greatest of the real apostates. Jehovah sent his prophets to those He himself described as an “apostate nation,” “renegade sons.” He was willing to “set matters straight” with them. Jesus didn’t hesitate to answer Satan when tempted by him—nor the religious leaders whom he called “offspring of vipers” and murderers of God’s messengers. His apostles followed this example, not only with the religious leaders but with persons who professed Christianity and who advanced what the apostles considered false teachings or sought to lead other Christians astray.
So the Watchtower Society falsely brands people as “apostates” of Christianity, and they impose a draconian shunning upon them, threatening even their own family members not to speak with them. Why do you suppose they really do this?
You have to be willing to consider the possibility that the Society’s repeated warnings about former Witnesses, whom they like to call “apostates,” turns out to be Watchtower propaganda that does not protect you from being misled. Rather, it prevents you from noticing that you are already being misled by the organization itself.
You also write, “Please, please don’t go along with the apostate’s thinking and working against Jehovah, you can’t win, my son.”
Mother, there is no grand organization of “the apostates” as the Society might want you to believe. In your recent letter to (my daughter) you make reference to “the apostate group.” If you could examine this for yourself, you would see that those who leave the Watchtower Society do not enroll in any “apostate group.” While I have heard of organized groups who try to help departing Witnesses, I have never been in contact with one—nor have I found them widely publicized. So let’s be clear: neither (my daughter) nor I are involved with any group. And there is no “apostate’s thinking.” There are good people, just like you and me, who have come to believe that they were never really walking in Christ’s footsteps, but instead in those of a religious publishing company. The idea that this is somehow “working against Jehovah” is ridiculous. And, dear, you can’t win if you believe salvation comes from following man.
You write, “Think of all those that have tried in the past and where are they now?”
Mom, do you know where they are? Probably not, right? And the reason you don’t know is because the Watchtower Society officially commands you not to speak to them. This is not to suggest that every single person who has left the Watchtower organization has gone on to a life bursting with happiness. I’m sure plenty have left for purely selfish reasons. But there exists an enormous number of good, Christian people who’ve gone on to lives that are far richer and truly happier.
You just can’t believe that, can you? Neither could I, until I woke up. The Society indoctrinates people with so much, including the idea that their followers “are the happiest people on earth.” Not true, mother. Not true. So many researchers throughout the world have conducted studies revealing that the rate of depression and mental illness among Jehovah’s Witnesses is shockingly higher than average. The following is taken from the book, “Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Problem of Mental Illness,” by Jerry Bergman, Ph.D.
“Licensed therapist Montague monitored the admissions to state and private mental hospitals, and local mental health clinics in Ohio from 1972 to 1986. [21] From this data (n=102) he estimated that "The mental illness rate of JW's is approximately 10 to 16 times higher than the rate for the general, nonWitness population [and that]...about 10% of the publishers (full members) in the average congregation are in serious need of professional help...[although they are often] able to hide this fact quite well, especially from outsiders." [22] From his intensive interviews with Witness patients and others, Montague concluded that persons who had emotional problems were attracted to the Witnesses but Watchtower involvement also caused many of the emotional problems that they suffered. This is evident from the fact that many with problems reported they were far happier after they left.
Another study was completed by Potter [23] as part of his Ph.D. thesis on religion and mental health. He concluded that there exists "a strong positive correlation between Witness membership and clinical schizophrenia."
In addition, a German study by Elmer Koppl [25] also came to similar conclusions as did a study by Norwegian psychologist, Kjell Totland [26] Using Oakland County court records from 1965 to 1973, Bergman concluded that not only is the mental illness rate above average, but the suicide and crime rates are also high, especially aggressive crimes against persons [27] This is the extent of published empirical studies about the mental health of Jehovah's Witnesses, an area in which a need exists for more research.
Jehovah's Witnesses who have mental difficulties are typically ashamed of them because they often believe good Witnesses do not become mentally ill. Due to the fear that their illness may bring reproach upon the Watchtower, they not uncommonly are not open with a therapist or researcher about their problems. Often they will undergo intense suffering to protect the Watchtower reputation. [31] When a Witness becomes "mentally ill," regardless of the reason, much personal guilt results because of the belief that faithfulness to the Watchtower will usually protect one from emotional problems. Witnesses often believe that mental problems are evidence of personal shortcomings that are usually religious in nature. Active Witnesses are instructed to believe that "if I am not happy, I must not be pleasing God or doing what God desires of me" as interpreted by the Watchtower [32]”
Mom, there are so many more studies bearing out the same thing. But active Witnesses don’t face it, because they are so wrapped up in the mental and emotional manipulation and propaganda that exists within the Watchtower bubble.
You write, “As Peter said at John 6:66-69 ‘who would we go away to?’”
And to whom was Peter referring? Please answer… You must know that he was referring—not to a body of men—but to Jesus himself, don’t you? The fact that you can read that scripture and come away with the thought that your salvation requires allegiance to these men, (and that’s what it is, mother,) demonstrates the degree to which the human mind can be manipulated—just like mine was.
“No one comes to the Father except through the men who claim to speak for me.”
Look right to you? Jesus actually said…
“No one comes to the Father except through me.” [John 14:6, NWT]
It is perhaps one of the greatest ironies I will ever witness in my life. More than all other religions I know, Jehovah’s Witnesses ardently emphasize the need to flee from idolatry. No crosses, no holidays, no national emblems… Don’t hang posters of pop culture icons, don’t emulate “worldly” athletes or celebrities… Jehovah’s Witnesses are intensely concerned about committing idolatry, but they cannot see that their devotion to the Watchtower Society is as idolatrous as a thing could be.
“Furthermore, there is no salvation in anyone else, for there is not another name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must get saved.” [Acts 4:24, NWT]
“Jesus said to him: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” [John 14:6, NWT]
“…survival of individuals today depends on their faith and their loyal association with the earthly part of Jehovah's universal organization.” [Watchtower, May 15, 2006]
This is an extraordinary deviation from the scriptures, and a shocking apostasy from the faith Christ established. I remember your talking to me about idols when I was a little boy; about the importance of not involving “things” in one’s worship. I even recall your remarking how some people will say, “I’m not worshipping the object itself. It’s just something I like to use; something through which I pray to Him.” You made clear that Jehovah did not tolerate such “things.”
When Jesus compared Himself to Moses’ copper serpent, what was His point? That we had to keep looking at Him (Jesus,) right? When He says, “No one comes to the Father except through me,” who is “me?” The scriptures go to great lengths to emphasize the importance of fixating on Christ and the folly of putting your trust in men.
“ Now to me it is a very trivial matter that I should be examined by YOU or by a human tribunal.” [1 Cor. 4:3, NWT]
“Do not put YOUR trust in nobles,
Nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs.” [Psalm 146:3, NWT]
“Not that we are the masters over YOUR faith, but we are fellow workers for YOUR joy, for it is by [ YOUR ] faith that YOU are standing.” [2 Cor. 1:24, NWT]
But it’s okay. You’re not really putting your faith in the men at the Watchtower Society. You’re just putting your faith in Christ through them, aren’t you? Does this remind you of the aforementioned warning about idolatry you yourself gave to me? Don’t think this applies to you? Then ask yourself: Is it possible for you to successfully put your faith in Jesus without having this reliance upon and allegiance with the Watchtower Society? If you answer “no” how can you not recognize this relationship with the organization as being idolatrous?
They are not simply “fellow workers for your joy.” Regardless of what C.T. Russell originally intended, they have become a centralized religious authority structure that demands “loyalty” to them, threatens disloyalty to them, and teaches that there is no faith in God apart from faith in them. When Jesus warned to watch out for the “leaven” of the Pharisees, why do you think He used that word? Isn’t it because, despite the best of intentions, human authority structures breed corruption just like a growing yeast? Jesus saved his greatest denunciation for religious leaders, and told us instead to put our faith in Him. If this organization’s leadership and their appointees are not “masters over your faith,” WHO ARE?
As for this exclusivist concept of Christianity promoted by the Watchtower Society…
“What I mean is this, that each one of YOU says: “I belong to Paul,” “But I to A·pol´los,” “But I to Ce´phas,” “But I to Christ.” 13 The Christ exists divided. Paul was not impaled for YOU , was he? Or were YOU baptized in the name of Paul?” [1 Cor. 1:12 & 13, NWT]
In whose name were you baptized, mom? Well I know you were baptized in the 1950’s, so no doubt at your baptism you were asked the following questions as published in the Watchtower of August 1, 1966 on page 465…
“(1) Have you recognized yourself before Jehovah God as a sinner who needs salvation, and have you acknowledged to him that this salvation proceeds from him, the Father, through his Son Jesus Christ?
(2) On the basis of this faith in God and in his provision for salvation, have you dedicated yourself unreservedly to God to do his will henceforth as he reveals it to you through Jesus Christ and through the Bible under the enlightening power of the holy spirit?” (Underlining added.)
These are the same questions asked of me when I was baptized in 1983. So we publicly acknowledged our dedication to Jehovah, and that our salvation comes through Jesus. You and I took no oath to the Watchtower Society or any group of humans. But guess what happened? The Watchtower of June 1, 1985 on page 30 shows that the Society created its very own type of baptism with a revision of the former questions.
“On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?
The second is:
Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in association with God's spirit-directed organization?
Having answered yes to these questions, candidates are in a right heart condition to undergo Christian baptism.” (Underlining added.)
It takes no small amount of chutzpah to insert a human organization into these vows that are supposed to have nothing to do with human leaders and everything to do with Christ.
In the new book the Watchtower Society released, “What Does the Bible Really Teach?” in chapter 18, they list six things they regard as requirements for Christian baptism. They include having a formal study with a Witness, officially becoming an “Unbaptized Publisher,” and demonstrating ones Bible knowledge to Witness elders. But how can we reconcile this with Acts 10:34-48 in which Peter speaks less than two hundred words to Cornelius whereupon he and his entire family are immediately baptized? Or with Acts 16:11-15 in which Lydia and her household were baptized after listening to one session of Jesus’ disciples speaking? Or with Acts 16:25-34 in which a jailer and his family were baptized “without delay” after one late-night discussion with Paul and Silas?
Whatever reason they supply for needing these “baptism requirements,” one thing is clear: they have gone “beyond the things that are written.” There is no other possible conclusion than that, in so doing, they are able to seize more control over those in the congregations. We are not supposed to be baptized in the name of Paul or Cephas or anyone other than Jesus Christ. But the Society now requires people to acknowledge the organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses in their baptism vows. Way, way, wayyy beyond “the things written.”
Further…
“John said to him: “Teacher, we saw a certain man expelling demons by the use of your name and we tried to prevent him, because he was not accompanying us.” 39 But Jesus said: “Do not try to prevent him, for there is no one that will do a powerful work on the basis of my name that will quickly be able to revile me; 40 for he that is not against us is for us.”” [Mark 9:38 – 40, NWT]
This principle, clearly stated by Jesus, stands in stark contrast to what the Watchtower Society teaches. Indeed they teach ‘anyone not with us is against us.’ Any Witness seeing this scripture is usually bothered by it, so he or she will pull out the reference materials to look for the Society’s understanding. They will find the assertion that this principle was apparently only applicable to a very limited period of time—and not after Pentecost 33 C.E.—although Christ suggests no such thing.
Directly before the aforementioned scripture is another account of the apostles “arguing on the road,” after which Jesus teaches…
“If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of all and minister of all.” [Mark 9:35, NWT]
This scripture is considered to have application right until this day —unlike the one immediately adjacent to it that contradicts Watchtower teaching and therefore must be “explained.”
Further, Matthew 12:30 is brought out, which reads, “He that is not on my side is against me.” Is this a contradiction? Not at all. The man who was expelling demons through Jesus’ name was certainly demonstrating he was ‘on Jesus’ side’—even if he was not a part of what the apostles’ thought was their approved group. In opposition to the principle Jesus established, the Watchtower Society in effect teaches: It doesn’t matter what they say or do. It doesn’t matter how much they try to apply Jesus’ teachings or help others in imitation of him. If he isn’t “with us,” namely a full-fledged, meeting-going, hour-reporting, Watchtower-studying Jehovah’s Witness who has submitted himself to a Watchtower Approved baptism, then he is neither approved by Jehovah nor Jesus Christ. There can be no sharing between this reality and what Jesus actually taught.
This brings to mind the subject of presumptuousness. I can recall during talks at the Kingdom Hall and at conventions, speakers describing the attitude of those within other religions as being “presumptuous.” “How presumptuous of them!” they’d say, accusing them of concluding that they had God’s approval and backing.
“Beware of Presumptuousness!
WHO does not want to avoid making mistakes? They can be quite embarrassing, often costly and so regrettable! Do we want to avoid distressing errors? Then we must guard against a trait that easily leads to them. We must beware of presumptuousness!
What is presumptuousness? It is “assuming a prerogative, privilege, or permission without warrant”; “overstepping due bounds”; “readiness to presume in conduct or thought.” Indeed, presumptuousness makes a person proceed according to his own ideas and makes him resist counsel or correction.
But who are the presumptuous ones? Are they only the obviously wicked? Who really needs to beware of presumptuousness?
Presumptuous Persecutors
Foremost among mankind’s presumptuous ones are the persecutors of God’s people. They insist that they, rather than Jehovah, should be obeyed. Could any act of presumption exceed that?” [Watchtower, January 15, 1984, page 10, underlining added]
But how is it the Watchtower Society is exempt from this judgment of presumptuousness? Do they not claim to be the instrument used by “God’s sole channel of communication?” Why are they different?
Let’s examine the statement, “Indeed, presumptuousness makes a person proceed according to his own ideas and makes him resist counsel or correction.” But “counsel or correction” from whom? Within the organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Society has often claimed that the correction is coming from Jehovah, but that it is being delivered through them—His “visible, earthly organization.” Their message is—and always has been—“People, people! Stop being so presumptuous. Be humble enough to submit yourselves to us.” Is this not in itself the height of presumptuousness? They misled people into believing that Armageddon was coming in six particular years! They were wrong every time! There is nothing that qualifies them for the position they claim for themselves. It is they who are “overstepping due bounds.”
They have tried to escape scrutiny for this by describing themselves like expectant ones of the first century who were eager in their desire to see God’s Kingdom come. But the Watchtower Society was not merely asking the simple question: “Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time.” They were proclaiming these dates as if God Himself were proclaiming them…
“The date of the close of that ‘battle’ is definitely marked in Scripture as October, 1914. It is already in progress, its beginning dating from October, 1874.” [The Watchtower, January 15, 1892]
“We see no reason for changing the figures — nor could we change them if we would. They are, we believe, God’s dates, not ours. But bear in mind that the end of 1914 is not the date for the beginning, but for the end of the time of trouble.” [The Watchtower, July 15, 1894]
“…in light of the foregoing, Scriptures prove that the Spring of 1918 will bring upon Christendom a spasm of anguish greater even than that experienced in the Fall of 1914.” [The Finished Mystery (SS-7), 1917 ed., p. 62]
“The date 1925 is even more distinctly indicated by the Scriptures than 1914.” [Watchtower 1922 September 1 p.262]
"This chronology is not of man, but of God. Being of divine origin and divinely corroborated, present-truth chronology stands in a class by itself, absolutely and unqualifiedly correct...." [Watchtower 1922 July 15, p.217]
When faced with others telling me stuff like the above, I used to excuse it by saying that Jehovah’s Witnesses have never claimed to be prophets. But now I know this is untrue.
“Who is this prophet? ... This "prophet" was not one man, but was a body of men and women. It was the small group of footstep followers of Jesus Christ, known at that time as International Bible Students. Today they are known as Jehovah's Christian witnesses…” [Watchtower 1972 April 1 p.197 “They Shall Know that a Prophet Was Among Them”]
“…the "prophet" whom Jehovah has raised up has been, not an individual man as in the case of Jeremiah, but a class. The members of this class are, like the prophet-priest Jeremiah, wholly dedicated to Jehovah God through Christ and, by the begettal of Jehovah's holy spirit, they have been made part of "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for special possession." [Watchtower 1982 October 1 p.27 Be as Men Who Are Facing Har-Magedon Unafraid]
So they have called themselves prophets, but to avoid scrutiny they have often repositioned the meaning of that term. When accused of being false prophets, they have explained that they never meant to suggest they were inspired and infallible prophets, and this should excuse them from any criticism over mistakes and miscalculations. Note this explanation…
“To such remnant of faithful servants of Jehovah God Christ Jesus has entrusted all “his goods”, or earthly interests of the Kingdom. This does not signify that the faithful remnant or society of Jehovah’s anointed witnesses are an earthly tribunal of interpretation, delegated to interpret the Scriptures and its prophecies. No; Christ Jesus the King has not entrusted that office to them. THE SUPREME COURT STILL INTERPRETS, thank God; and Christ Jesus, the Court’s official mouth-piece of interpretation, reserves to himself that office as Head of Jehovah’s “faithful and wise servant” class. He merely uses the “servant” class to publish the interpretation after the Supreme Court by Christ Jesus reveals it. How does the Lord God make known the interpretation? By causing the facts to come to pass visibly which are in fulfillment of the prophecy or dark saying or misunderstood scripture. Thereafter “in due season” he calls such fulfillment or clarification of prophecy and scripture to the attention of his “faithful and wise servant” class. Thereby he makes them responsible to make known the meaning of such scriptures to all members of the household of faith and to all persons of goodwill. This constitutes giving them “meat in due season.”” [Watchtower 1943, p. 203]
What the heck are they actually saying here, Mom? The claim is made that Jesus has entrusted all his “earthly goods” to them and uses them to “publish” interpretations. But they are not actually doing the interpreting. No. God and Christ do so. Does this make sense? How is this different from any other religion whom the Watchtower Society itself would accuse of being a false prophet? Yes, even they are not suggesting their interpretations have come entirely from their own powers, but that they were supposedly supplied with them by God. Does this salvage their reputation with the Watchtower Society? Certainly not.
God and Christ have no need to interpret something for themselves that they have already set forth in the scriptures. It is we humans who need an interpretation. Who gives it to us? The Watchtower Society. So, the claim goes, God and Christ inspired the writing of the scriptures and supply the meaning of it to some in association with the Watchtower Society, and those men publish this meaning to the rest of us.
While they may disclaim being “inspired,” they definitely claim to be the one agency on earth to whom God is communicating. The one agency he has ‘made responsible’ to distribute his truths. They often refer to God’s “revealed truth.” If it is revealed, who revealed it? The assertion is that God revealed it. If God revealed it, how can it be anything other than inspired and infallible?
It’s an interesting line they walk. They claim not to be inspired, but they speak with the same amount of authority as if they are. They demand they be considered as if inspired, not even allowing the flock to question or have doubts about anything they teach without coming under scrutiny. Yet when accused of being false prophets, they then beg off from responsibility, escaping under a manufactured definition of what the word “prophet” means, suggesting that prophet doesn’t necessarily suggest divinely inspired prophet.
Easton’s Bible dictionary provides the same definition for “prophet” found anywhere else. It shows that the Hebrew word translated “prophet” is nabi. It meant “to bubble up as from a fountain,” hence “to utter.”
“The "prophet" proclaimed the message given to him...(See Num. 12:6, 8.) Thus a prophet was a spokesman for God; he spoke in God's name and by his authority (Ex. 7:1).”
The meaning is not complex. Clearly this definition fits the position the Watchtower Society itself admits it has assumed. Again quoting from the 1943 Watchtower, “…he makes them responsible to make known the meaning of such scriptures…”
And what does the Bible say about such ones?
20 "'However, the prophet who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded him to speak or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet must die. 21 And in case you should say in your heart: "How shall we know the word that Jehovah has not spoken?" 22 when the prophet speaks in the name of Jehovah and the word does not occur or come true, that is the word that Jehovah did not speak. With presumptuousness the prophet spoke it. You must not get frightened at him.' [Deuteronomy 18:20-22, NWT Reference Bible]
It’s pretty simple, Mom. They claim to be Jehovah’s mouthpiece, and the things they repeatedly said would come true didn’t. It is also interesting to note the Bible’s counsel for us not to “get frightened at” such a false prophet. It would appear that God may have known that false prophets often try to frighten people into following them. This does not follow the Christian pattern. Consider what Paul had to say to those who were questioning the authenticity of some Christians with whom they had disagreements.
“Hence do not judge anything before the due time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring the secret things of darkness to light and make the counsels of the hearts manifest, and then each one will have his praise come to him from God.” [1 Cor. 4:5, NWT]
Remember too Jesus’ illustration of the wheat and the weeds. He told his slaves not to try and identify the weeds prematurely, but to “let both grow together until the harvest,” after which he would see to it that the weeds would be burned.
So while the Bible encourages Christians to guard against poor association, it also warns against placing ourselves in the position to judge others. “Frightening” people into accepting their version of Christianity is something that “false prophets” do. We as Christians are told not to “judge anything,” but to leave that to “the Lord.”
As a Watchtower follower, where really is your faith? I know the answer since I spent my entire life with this group. Watchtower devotees do not really cleave to Jesus Christ. They cleave to what they believe to be “God’s Organization.” Although there exists an understanding that Jesus will take the lead in righting all universal wrongs—although there may be an appreciation for Jesus—on a day-to-day basis Jehovah’s Witnesses are putting their faith in the people who claim to lead “God’s Organization.”
If the above does not seem clear to you, consider this: One of your four children is in the hospital after a terrible accident, and the doctor tells you they need a blood transfusion. Your child has made you responsible for acting in such an event, and you have to make a decision. Tearfully you explain to the doctor that you cannot allow a blood transfusion of the needed fractions. Why? Because of your faith in Christ? Or in the Watchtower Society?
Then let’s say the doctor comes in with one of the elders from the Hospital Liaison Committee who explains that the Society has just determined that the very fractions one of us needs is now considered a conscience matter, and not something the Society opposes. Might you allow this transfusion? And what would have prompted your decision? Your faith in Christ? Or in the Watchtower Society?
“So Jehovah’s visible organization came off victorious once again to his vindication. For dedicated, baptized persons to share in that victory, what did it take? Faith in Jehovah’s theocratic organization.” [Watchtower, March 1, 1979, page 18, underlining added]
How did this all happen? How did my family come under the spell of a legalistic and authoritarian religious organization? How did none of us figure it out for so many years?
The following was written by a former Witness missionary and Bethelite who gave almost his entire life to the Watchtower Society before finally figuring it out. He feels no animosity; only sadness and a responsibility springing from his own conscience to finally speak the truth—as so many former elders, Watchtower representatives, and Circuit and District Overseers are doing today…
“I try in my own mind and heart to understand the feelings of all [Jehovah’s Witnesses], including those of the Governing Body. Based on my own [60 years] experience among them I believe that they are, in effect, the captives of a concept. The concept or mental image they have of “the organization” seems almost to take on a personality of its own, so that the concept itself controls them, moves them, or restrains them, by molding their thinking, their attitudes, their judgments…The …concept of “the organization” becomes, in fact, the dominant, controlling force.”
Mother, I’m sending you this letter as a result of my own conscience. There are two schools of thinking when it comes to leaving a high-control group such as the Watchtower Society and communicating with family about your departure from it.
You can just try to slowly “fade” from the organization. You move away. You stop going to meetings. You have little contact with former friends within. When your family brings up the organization to you, you tell them as little as possible in the hope that they will only consider you “weak” and not shun you—so that you can at least enjoy some measure of contact and communication with them. (So many you may know who no longer attend—or rarely attend—meetings, or who provide you with short, non-committal answers to questions about the organization, are such faders.)
Or you can just come out with the truth. That you have come to recognize that the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society is not what it purports to be—and that it is in fact horribly misleading and manipulating people. They persuade you to believe that using your own mind is “independent thinking” that demonstrates a disobedience to Jehovah. They have succeeded in convincing adherents that, in turning away from beloved family members, they are being loyal “to Jehovah.”
I thought I might try to fade at first, but I simply cannot live a lie. I cannot pretend I am not incensed by this pathetic, controlling organization and how it has ruined the lives of so many—all the while claiming to be “persecuted.”
“I am treated as evil by people who claim that they are being oppressed because they are not allowed to force me to practice what they do.”— D. Dale Gulledge, Author
The truth is my family needs to know what I know. And how dare these men in Brooklyn try to scare me from showing you?!
Ah, but then the reality of the situation sets in… Escaping the indoctrination of such a group is not easy. In fact it’s incredibly difficult. There exists a mental state known as “cognitive dissonance,” which encourages us to find reasons to continue believing in something we hold strongly. The stronger the belief and/or the longer we’ve held the belief, the harder it is to overcome it. The measure of the person will come down to this:
Do you really want the truth? I mean the real truth?
“For he that practices vile things hates the light and does not come to the light, in order that his works may not be reproved. But he that does what is true comes to the light, in order that his works may be made manifest as having been worked in harmony with God.” [John 3:20 & 21, NWT]
Why really does the Society not want you to see all of the information? Are you a child without the ability to distinguish truth from falsehood? Why did Paul at Hebrews 5:14 say that “mature people” would “through use” have “ their perceptive powers trained to distinguish both right and wrong,” if in reality we are to subject what we consider to only that which is approved by a body of men? A genuine truth-seeker will not shy away from considering all of the information on an important subject such as this one. You are invited to do so.
I know that most if not all of the family may not speak to me after reading this or hearing of my position on the Watchtower Society. But of one thing I am confident: eventually some will go through exactly what I did. The flashpoints that have been accumulating throughout their lives will finally come to the fore.
They may be affected by learning that the Society’s dating system of 607 B.C.E. and 1914 was a complete and utter blunder—and that the Society knows it but refuses to admit it publicly. They may be shocked to learn that, for nearly a decade, they entered into an alliance with the United Nations, the very organization the Society itself has demonized. Or they may finally be faced with the sick, sad history of policies that have protected tens of thousands of pedophiles and viciously expelled the young victims who dared to speak out about it.
Yes, at some point they will see that it’s not just “mistakes” that have been made, but that this organization’s claims of authority are completely without foundation. Any argument about “waiting on Jehovah” or things being taken care of “in Jehovah’s due time” is pointless since it presumes that the leadership of this organization has grounds for proclaiming their unequaled divine authority. But they don’t! They were not at any time—and they certainly aren’t now—chosen to be God’s mouthpiece, and their insistence that they be recognized as such makes them no different than the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. You have every right to examine the evidence in this regard, Mother. And you should be suspicious of anyone telling you not to.
In the September 8, 1987 Awake!, (pages 10,11) the Watchtower Society makes the following appeal to members of other churches under the subheading: "If Your Church Fails to Act, Will You?”
“If, after making an honest investigation, you are less than pleased with what you see, do more than just complain. A journalist, while commenting on Karl Barth's statement that a church IS its members, logically concluded: 'Church members ... are responsible for what the church says and does.' So ask yourself: Am I willing to share responsibility for everything my church says and does? Can I really be proud of having all its members as spiritual brothers?”
If you ever finally do come to realize what I have—and want to speak of it—just call. I’ll be here.
Please understand how difficult this whole situation is for me. Any intensity you sense does not come from my disagreement with the Watchtower Society. It comes from knowing they are willing to try and rip me from my family in an attempt to keep you from finding out what I know, as well as to protect the authority they exercise over you.
If you’d like for me not to discuss the Watchtower Society with you, I can do that. But please understand that—if you ask this of me—it will be just as proper for me to ask the same of you.
“If anyone ever asks you, “What is one thing you’re more sure of than anything else in the world,” you can tell them: “That my mother loves me.”” -You
My love for you and the entire family is not affected one bit. I love you for all of the things you are that have nothing to do with these guys in New York. This love is something Jehovah put in you and I—and the rest of our family. It is an entirely unnatural and unscriptural thing to allow a group of men to convince you that, because I no longer think they are what they say they are, you should act out of harmony with that love by shunning me.
It was good to see the photos of XXX and XXXXXX’s new home, and I was so comforted to know you and Dad will have such a nice place to live whenever you decide it’s time to move in there. Please call or e-mail me from time to time.
Love,
XXX