Yeah, we feel that pain everyday...I'm still trying to retrieve my wife from the JW's, no small task. I believed when she began her search of christian freedom that her passion would guide her. Thinking JW's were harmless "doorknockers w/ good news" I was passive, and dismissed it as a harmless personal search we all must take. I know I've taken mine. But once the Society came into play & she was baptized, the game changed drastiacally!
So now. I find my self in theocratic warfare(though witnesses claim to have stopped this practice, it still exists). In the battle take a read of a letter sent to an elder in my wife's congregation. It is in referernce to a CD I was given because of my questions about the Society. Bro Brown is the spokesperson for the Watchtower...
Dear ________
Just wanted to thank you for the gesture of Bro Brown's CD. It attempted to answer the basic questions, but there were some discrepencies in some of his answers based on my research and what I'm hearing at the KH: 1) Brown was asked if his religion was the only truth...his response had nothing to do with the question. I have heard from more than one speaker, and in alomost every Watchtower Study that "the only way is through "God's Organization". This would rerfer to the members of the governing body, correct? 2) The moderator asked "Describe being a Jehovah's Witness ", Brown replied tat it was "basically a lifestyle". I've always believed religion is a God given right, not a lifestyle. 3) Next question: "Who was the first JW?" Brown moved to the theological standard answer of "Abel", then spoke of the small bible group of the 1870's led by Russell, for the purpose of the "restorations of pure teachings". He never once mentioned that the term "JW" wasn't coined until 1931 after the organizational split of the"Bible Students" in that time. You can't claim BCE if you've only been around since the 1870's, can you? 4) The moderator asked to be enlightened on the view of "Political Neutrality", His answer must have come from "new light" shown to the organization, because there is documentation that shows American JW's were encouraged to support the war efforts by displaying flags in WWII , meanwhile Rutherford was playing to ends against the middle in the name of turning a profit. Here's an excerpt of a letter to Adolf Hitler ; "The present government of Germany has declared emphatically against Big Business oppressors and in opposition to the wrongful religious influence in the political affairs of the nation. Such is exactly our position:...Instead of being against the principles advocated by the government of Germany, we stand squarely for such principles and point out that Jehovah God through Christ Jesus will bring about the full realization of these principles..." This letter was written after Hitler's campaign to rid Germany of JW's (as you have stated), through a deal with the Catholics. Additionally, I can't understand that if Brown says "JW's love the countries in which they live", then why is it so important that you don't participate in elections. Remove the fact that you & I both have relatives somewhere in our lineage who fought and died for our right to vote, what about the love of democracy that JW in America claim to have? Why would the organization hold it's members back from preserving a way of life, when everything they decide for it's members is done by a two-thirds majority vote. Are the governing body the only JW's allowed to vote, even if it's in the organization? 5) Brother Brown mentioned that in the KH "everything is free, no collections are taken" (true statement). But what about the publishing revenues?(in 2001 $951Million estimated) In 1990, did the organization not join in a lawsuit with Jimmy Swaggert and the Church of Scientology in order to avoid paying taxes? http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?navby=search&court=US&case=/us/493/378.html Fact of the matter is that this interview was done in 2002, by a moderator who was not trained to ask the hard questions that a radio professional should. While I told you it gave me some insight on JW's, the answers were strictly memorized from what the governing body told this man from North Carolina to say. I have a couple of questions, that I'd love to find answers to; If Jesus came to inspect the society in 1918-19 (Matthew 24:-45-57, wether invisibly or otherwise), who gave witness to this blessed event? Was it Rutherford? If so, was he asleep, or just passed out? I think we both know he was an alcoholic. Additionally, what about Bonnie & Berta? Bonnie was only 16 when she became the personal secretary & travel companion of a divorced man. Then Bonnie married a COca-Cola exec, an "unbeliever" and was allowed to remain at Bethel. Berta came along 30 days later to Bethel, and almost immediately was placed as his dietian and travel companion, though she was only an LPN with no dietary experience(Rutherford already had a dietician, so what made her special?) Why is it that Russell built the end of days on " Jupiter Aligning with Uranus in the house of Aquarius"(obviously Astrology, which is now forbidden) and the Great Pyramid of Gizeh (wouldn't that be idolotry?) Additionally, it is noted that he was not a very well educated man, therefore, how is it that you believe he translated the Emphatic Diaglott correctl? I'm reasonably intelligent & might try to translate something like that, but would never have the confidence to call it doctrine. i liken it to how it is said we stumble through the bible for truth lent only to our own understanding. Moe, these are just a few questions that have been running through my mind daily for the past few months, since my marital issues arose. I hope that yo'll not consider me an apostate, but strive to understand that based on the history of the Watchtower, it is at best difficult to get used to. I offer this scripture; “Remember those who are governing you, who have spoken the word of God to you, and as you contemplate how their conduct turns out imitate their faith.” (Heb. 13:7). On the other hand if you "labeled" me, then I will understand that you would have to look to the guidance of Brother Freeman and others to address this situation. If so, that is fine, but I'd prefer your confidence because I do consider you a friend. These are just facts that I sifted through, and some maybe unfounded, but I think I backed up what was discussed. In closing, I am a firm believer that if you don't know where you've been, you'll never figure out where you are going (I think the same holds true for the organization). I was a Baptist like you for a few decades, and I've seen more "new light" from the organization since Kenya's baptism than from the Baptist & Catholics combined. I notice that the elders are always bringing forth publications to help, but what about publications that show another side from the perspective of a JW? If you'd like to know more, please feel free to call me. With respect for you, as I know of you...