You bet your sweet biffy they are!
The path of destruction to families the GB has left in the wake of their policies of fanaticism, mis-interpretation, mis-information, judgment and condemnation, as well as autocratic dictatorship and heavy-handed control is beyond belief.
It is mind-boggling to contemplate the thousands upon thousands of individuals whose lives have been destroyed, and the family units that have been ripped apart over the years. Have a good hard look at this JWD forum, and you are but glimpsing the tip of the iceberg. If we unite and persist in this work, I believe we will create a ground swell over time, and become a force to be reckoned with, if not already.
This is not about picking on the sincere and well-meaning JW's as individuals, who are being victimized too, but just don't realize that yet.
This is about exposing a despotic system, a religious organization that should not be allowed to run rampant in the world, sowing it's seeds of deception to get new members in on the one hand, and once they are in, "dumbing" them down with their unscriptural propaganda, with all kinds of twists and turns and obfuscation in the name of "New Light", telling these unsuspecting, starrey-eyed victims that the GB, and the GB alone, speak for God, and you better listen to us, or else you're gonna die at the big "A". It's "Baaahhhh! Baaaaahhhhh! black sheep. Tell me how high I have to jump, and when can I come down. Don't think for yourself. We'll do the thinking for you, and then all you have to do is listen, learn and obey. That is Jehovah's way....." What a pile of crap!
When anyone dares to think for himself/herself, and sees thru this for what it really is, and then starts to question anything to do with doctrine, prophecy or policy, and does not repent from this, that person will be caste out from their midst and into the world, with a virtual death sentence pronounced on their head. Let the shunning begin! You must be made to swallow the "bitter pill" of Disfellowshipment in the name of Love, to help you see the error of your ways, to repent and come back into the fold of Jehovah's "loving Organization". Then watch the destruction this reaps....(Excuse me, I think I am going to vomit...)
The GB reminds me very much of the Wizard in the Wizard of Oz, who hides behind the curtain, the veil of anonymity, while shouting his orders as the "Mighty Oz" to the masses thru loudspeakers for all to hear. The sound resonates with such authority, that no-one dares to challenge the Might Oz, and all obey without hesitation or question. This keeps the kingdom in perfect "harmony and order". Then when someone pulls aside the curtain and discovers who the Mighty Oz really is, we discover this puny old man, who is more like the Cowardly Lion that has to be propped up with the big lie and cover-up. How brave would these aging members of the Governing Body be if they were made to meet with, and look into the eyes of, each of the people of all these destroyed families caused by and thru them and the Organization they control?
Are they responsible? How about the little sign on the desk of the U.S. President that reads: "The Buck Stops Here!" I'll bet the GB doesn't have such a sign on their desk.
Rod P.
