Branch Manual 2015

by Marvin Shilmer 32 Replies latest watchtower scandals

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  Marvin Shilmer

  Apparently the backroom arguments have been heard and decided. The Royal Commission finally uploaded a redacted version of the 2015 Branch Manual.

  Watchtower lawyers were looking to have as much redacted from this manual as possible. It ended up the only section that has redacted content is Section 4 addressing duties of the Personnel Committee. All the stuff about Bethelite life was redacted leaving only the part addressing judicial committees.

  If readers have not already downloaded this thing now is your chance.

  http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/downloadfile.ashx?guid=57c425ca-91bd-425b-b266-e08cd15986dc&type=exhibit&filename=EXH.029.028.0001_R&fileextension=pdf
  
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  ThomasCovenant

  Thanks.

  First section on 'Governing Body'.

  'The Governing Body is organized to take the lead as Jehovah directs it by holy spirit. The members of the Governing Body do not regard themselves as leaders of Jehovah's people.'' (No, we leave that for you to do).

  ''the Governing Body always takes the lead in promoting the smooth functioning of the organization and the unity of all of God's people.''

  ''The Governing Body gives final approval for new publications as well as new audio and video programs.''

  There is a diagram too showing the Governing body at the top of the six committees.
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  Oogie

  Thanks, downloaded...

  
  
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  opusdei1972

  It would be interesting to have the complete scanned version of this document.
  
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  maksutov

  Page 47, talking about a bethelite being disfellowshipped, and having lost an appeal:

  "When the disfellowshipping is upheld, there is no further arrangement for appeal. However, if an individual persists in believing a serious error in judgment has occurred, the appeal committee should inform him that he may submit his allegations in writing to the appeal committee within seven days for transmittal to the Branch Committee. The appeal committee should not mention this provision unless the individual indicates that he believes a serious error in judgment has occurred."

  Bold and italics theirs.

  So much for transparency. This is how they treat their own - the ones who have given up having their own life and dedicated themselves to the organisation. They don't even tell them what measures of redress are available to them unless they specifically ask.
  
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  maksutov

  Page 100, is also interesting, and maybe illegal in some countries:

  "Files for Those Disfellowshipped and Disassociated: A permanent file of those disfellowshipped and disassociated is kept. If S-79a/b cards are used by the branch office, they are filed alphabetically by last name, first name, and middle name and should be stored in a very secure, locked room."
  
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  Splash

  There's no doubt that the GB are firmly in charge.

  Chapter 1, Page 5.

  Point 3. "While the Governing Body delegates certain details or responsibilities to committees made up of its own members, to committees made up of other dedicated servants of God, or to instruments such as corporations and legal agencies, the Governing Body always takes the lead in promoting the smooth functioning of the organisation and the unity of all of Gods people".

  Point 4. The Governing Body gives final approval for new publications as well as new audio and video programs.

  Point 6. [...] The Governing Body has the prerogative to use its discretion and look into any matters it deems necessary to examine with regard to the Kingdom work.

  
  

  EDIT to Add : ThomasCovenant spotted the same!!
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  sir82

  The Governing Body is organized to take the lead as Jehovah directs it by holy spirit. The members of the Governing Body do not regard themselves as leaders of Jehovah's people.

  WTF?

  What does that even mean?

  Passive voice..."the Governing Body is organized"...who exactly "organizes" it? Is "organizing" it different than "directing" it?

  So, if the GB "do not regard themselves as leaders of Jehovah's people", who exactly do they regard as "leaders of Jehovah's people?

  What about the other 8 million JWs? Are they supposed to regard the GB as "leaders"? They as a group have been "organized" as "leaders", but they don't view themselves as "leaders", how is everyone else supposed ot "view" them?
  

  What a convoluted inarticulate mish-mash.
  
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  Oubliette

  Thanks!
  
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  Splash

  P. 138 Submitting Articles [for the wt/Awake]
  Do not submit material for publication that might cause difficulty for our brothers locally or elsewhere. Many things can be written that will not hurt our work and may even engender goodwill. The truth should be presented, of course, but in a tactful way.