Posts by AndersonsInfo

29

If this man had never lived YOUR LIFE would be entirely different! Part 1

by Terry in

william miller.. do you know how important this man has been to your life?

do you know your life would have been entirely different (without a doubt) had he not lived?.

read on!.

AndersonsInfo

Terry, please check your PMs.

23

Rutherford's Doctrines are Dead and so are the Reasons for JWs House-to-House Ministry

by AndersonsInfo in

terry, a very astute poster on jwn recently started the following thread of interest:.

when i read the posts on terrys thread, i was reminded that in my last two articles, which can be read on freeminds and were posted recently on jwn by randy watters, i discussed the changes made to two major old watch tower doctrines that have definitely affected todays door to door ministry of jehovahs witnesses: .

1) the teaching, vindicate jehovah's name," officially changed in 1993, after seven decades of use, to "sanctify jehovah's name" (which is more in line with the lord's prayer, "let your name be sanctified").

AndersonsInfo

Thanks to everyone who posted their thoughts about my article. That's why I love to discuss this research on JWN because so many of you take my material and run with it, and not only do I learn, but I get more material to do research on.

Farkel, thank you for reminding us about the mysticism connected with the three major doctrines of mainline Christian religions. Your points are well taken.

Simon's true-life experience proves what we've all been saying these past few years—JWs can't keep up with all the refinements, clarifications, new light, increased light, flashes of light, modification, alteration, reinterpretation, fine-tuning, up-dating, etc. No wonder Witnesses really don't want to go there in their heads because then they will have to admit something is horribly wrong with their religion.

Life is to short: Wow, timing is everything. I must have had a flash of light to nail exactly how JWs think! Guess my 43 years as a Witness helped out. Actually, my observation was based on what I told myself after another, and another, and yet another "flash of light" was published or announced at a convention.

BluesBrother: I thought the same thing as MrMonroe did about the paragraphs from the July 15, 2008 Watchtower magazine that you posted. I also found it quite odd that the material didn't say anything about the Kingdom, yet the discussion was centered on the reasons for preaching which in the past was primarily to announce the good news of the Kingdom.

Now it appears that the Witnesses responsibility is to tell about the "good news." Good news about what? The scripture the WT writer quoted is from 2 Thess. 1:7, 8 which states the good news is about our Lord Jesus, something most non-Witnesses in the Western world already know about and a subject most Witnesses can't carry on a basic discussion about. It's difficult for Witnesses to talk about Jesus, almost like the words are cursed. Now ask them about "Jehovah" and they relax!

What struck me about the most important reason for preaching: "Rendering 'a sacrifice of praise' to Jehovah is our foremost reason for preaching publicly and from house to house" is that the emphasis is different. It's certainly not like it was in the past when we all went out door-to-door to save others, no matter if it was rain or shine, or we were aged or sick. Going out in the ministry because it’s a Witnesses responsibility to have people judged on their response to the good news is not exactly a joyous thing to do, even though they might think they are praising Jehovah’s name by doing it.

Is that last reason, or as the writer called it, "the foremost reason," reason enough to keep JWs zealously preaching? They might go out door-to-door because it’s a requirement for gaining a little recognition from other Witnesses, but few JWs can convert anybody to a religion that nobody within it is quite sure what the beliefs are because they change so much. JWs might not believe in Christendom's three big ones, but what Witness today wants to bring up any one of those three doctrines to anyone they meet in their so-called ministry work because very few of them are able to fluently discuss the subjects.

Barb

23

Rutherford's Doctrines are Dead and so are the Reasons for JWs House-to-House Ministry

by AndersonsInfo in

terry, a very astute poster on jwn recently started the following thread of interest:.

when i read the posts on terrys thread, i was reminded that in my last two articles, which can be read on freeminds and were posted recently on jwn by randy watters, i discussed the changes made to two major old watch tower doctrines that have definitely affected todays door to door ministry of jehovahs witnesses: .

1) the teaching, vindicate jehovah's name," officially changed in 1993, after seven decades of use, to "sanctify jehovah's name" (which is more in line with the lord's prayer, "let your name be sanctified").

AndersonsInfo

Terry, a very astute poster on JWN recently started the following thread of interest:

http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/bible/202646/1/House-to-House-and-Door-to-Door-proves-to-be-a-shame-diversion

When I read the posts on Terry’s thread, I was reminded that in my last two articles, which can be read on Freeminds and were posted recently on JWN by Randy Watters, I discussed the changes made to two major OLD Watch Tower doctrines that have definitely affected today’s door to door ministry of Jehovah’s Witnesses:

http://www.freeminds.org/blogs/musings-of-a-watchtower-insider/increased-light—mindless-justification-for-removing-errors.html

http://www.freeminds.org/blogs/musings-of-a-watchtower-insider/separating-the-sheep-from-the-goats.html

1) The teaching, “Vindicate Jehovah's name," officially changed in 1993, after seven decades of use, to "Sanctify Jehovah's name" (which is more in line with the Lord's Prayer, "Let your name be sanctified").

2) And the teaching that the Witnesses, when engaged in the preaching work, separate the sheep-like people from the goat-like people under the direction of the anointed class, who are under the direction of Jesus Christ. This was changed in 1995 when the Society explained that Jesus does the separating work when the entire wicked system of things ends (which is what Christendom has taught for 2,000 years).

Both of the above doctrines were Rutherford’s creations intended to increase the Society’s membership. The plan was simple—Give the flock compelling reasons to preach and the preachers would convert others to become preachers, and growth of the religion would be guaranteed.

The “Judge” launched this drive starting with the 1922 campaign of “Advertise, Advertise, Advertise the Kingdom...” The emphasis on the Kingdom replaced the emphasis on the “Ransom” which Russell believed was the most important doctrine of all. (Watchtower, May 15, 1995, p. 20, par. 17)

Then, in 1923, Rutherford introduced a new explanation of who does the separating of the sheep and goats—Watch Tower preachers! And by 1929, vindicating Jehovah's name was the catchword and the other key reason to be a Watch Tower preacher. And to top it all off, Rutherford gave the preachers an official name in 1931 that effectively manipulated the bearers to do what their name, Jehovah's Witnesses, implied. The name emphasized what Watch Tower's flock was told would be the most important thing a “true” Christian should do: Witness about God by advertising the Kingdom; separate the sheep from the goats; and by doing this they would be vindicating Jehovah's name.

(See how nicely it all fit together to attract people to a reinvented religion that, by the way, stamped out traces of Russell.)

Up until the early 1990s, these very important doctrines remained the same until a sort of house cleaning went into effect. Out went the interpretation of separating the sheep from the goats and out went vindicating Jehovah’s name. However, they kept as their psychological reason-to-be-in-existence, the Kingdom message (whatever that entailed in the range of “present truth”).

Of course, not to be overlooked was another Rutherford teaching to get rid of: Starting in the 1990s, the “generation” doctrine had to be “re-clarified.” (Remember, I was in the Writing Dept. at this time.) The old way (1914, etc.) that JWs taught until the mid-90s was out because time ran out for that 1914 generation who didn’t see the end before they died as they were told they would.

Basically, with all the other changes that “increased light” caused, the old “Way” is now effectively gone. The Watch Tower Society reinvented itself just like Rutherford reinvented Russell’s organization in the 1920s when he needed to refuel a dying organization. In 1918, there were only 3,868 persons actively involved with the Watch Tower Society in all the world. Watchtower, January 1, 1950, p. 11.

Rutherford’s manipulation and/or erasure of the old Russell teachings, along with other factors, did bring success in numbers. The religion also grew and prospered both in money and power. Now traces of the Rutherford reign are gone replaced by present-day lawyer-influenced “updated” doctrines for a different era that is not attracted to the “ole’ time” Adventist-type religions.

What has been the result? Constant doctrinal change has Witness preachers knowing little about their religion and they generally prefer it that way. And they don’t know exactly why they go door to door because they are no longer separating the sheep from the goats or vindicating Jehovah’s name. They continue to say that they are the only ones on earth advertising, advertising, advertising a Kingdom that is supposedly ruling that few people on earth know about or associate with the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

If the Society can’t come up with a way to motivate their bored preachers to zealously participate in the preaching work, Rutherford’s admonition to advertise the Kingdom will soon go the way that his “vindicating God’s name,” “separating sheep and goats,” and “generation” teachings went—into oblivion.

Witnesses believe they have the absolute religious truth and God’s favor because they don’t espouse the three major doctrines of Christendom—burning hell, immortality of the human soul and the Trinity—and this is the major factor that makes them overlook the constant so-called “updating” of previously held—even to the death—beliefs.

The May 15, 1995 Watchtower featured three articles about “Flashes of Light” which the Society claims are refining the doctrines, organizational structure, terminology, Christian conduct, etc. of the Watch Tower religion. And this refining will continue for one reason only—to try to keep the flock’s interest in an out-dated religion in a fast-paced world that keeps on tickin’ despite the Witnesses never-ending promise of God’s lickin’.

48

Swiss TV Program w/Andersons and Bowen on the Internet although in French

by AndersonsInfo in

i just received the email below from an xjw in quebec.

we were wondering if we would get to see the program, a jw expose', we were interviewed for last spring and now everyone can see it all on the internet.

it aired on swiss tv yesterday.

AndersonsInfo

Hey skeeter1. That is the Kingdom Hall that we attended in Manchester, Tennessee that you see in the program and where we were disfellowshipped by the elders that attended there. Apparently someone saw us standing in the back of the hall property being interviewed by the journalists and went back into the building and warned the Witnesses that we were outside. When the journalists walked with the two camera men to the front of the hall and across the street to video the JWs coming out of the Sunday meeting, they walked among the Witnesses on the sidewalk around to the front. Afterwards, in the car going to our home to tape the rest of our interview, the camera men said that they had been in the business for over 20 years and had never been ignored and treated as if they were invisible by anyone before. Usually when people see news people and professional camera men, they stop and stare or ask questions. However, not the JWs, who completely ignored us being interviewed or the Swiss group as if none of us existed. It was actually rather funny, if it hadn't been so sad.

The weekend the Swiss team was in our area was when Nashville had the disasterous rainfall of 22 inches in 24 hours or so and flooded the city destroying thousands of properties and doing billions in damage. The flooding made it very difficult for the Swiss to get around Nashville where they interviewed Bill Bowen on Saturday. We were interviewed on Sunday morning, 70 miles southeast of Nashville. That's why viewers of the program see so much rain falling as the crew makes their way through downtown Nashville as they headed our way. However, our area only had 5 inches during the weekend and when the Swiss folks arrived at the Kingdom Hall about noon, Sunday, the rain had stopped. We wanted to do the interview at the Hall earlier, but it was very difficult for the Swiss to drive out of Nashville because of all the flooding so they were late and that put them at the Hall when the meeting just ended. After our "invisible" interview there, we went to our home about 14 miles away where our property was a little soaked, but we didn't have any flooding.

Barb

48

Swiss TV Program w/Andersons and Bowen on the Internet although in French

by AndersonsInfo in

i just received the email below from an xjw in quebec.

we were wondering if we would get to see the program, a jw expose', we were interviewed for last spring and now everyone can see it all on the internet.

it aired on swiss tv yesterday.

AndersonsInfo

Thank you Roberto for your continued efforts to get the message out about the harmful practices that the Watch Tower inflicts on the personal lives of sincere and good people and their children in the name of religion. We are especially grateful to the Swiss journalists and the management of the Swiss national TV channel to undertake the project at such a huge expense. It's wonderful that the program will to be shown around the world. Hopefully, more and more people will take to heart the real truth about Jehovah's Witnesses, that they have religious beliefs that cause deaths, in the case of their ban on blood, and the breakup of families all over the world.

Witness leadership can't silence former JWs by lying, such as saying that the two-witness policy does not apply in cases of pedophilia, when we know that in truth it is actually the opposite and is one of the biggest problems with their child-abuse policy. Former Jehovah's Witnesses have become a formitable army speaking out against Watch Tower injustice and with the help of the media and governments, this abuse must and will stop. It's only a matter of time when the hateful voices of Jehovah's Witnesses defending what they know nothing about will become fewer and fewer as their organization declines in numbers and the influence of their lying leaders in New York will be gone.

Barbara

48

Swiss TV Program w/Andersons and Bowen on the Internet although in French

by AndersonsInfo in

i just received the email below from an xjw in quebec.

we were wondering if we would get to see the program, a jw expose', we were interviewed for last spring and now everyone can see it all on the internet.

it aired on swiss tv yesterday.

AndersonsInfo

Hi "asilentone." Bill Bowen had an accident this past Spring when he fell. I was told that he seriously fractured one of his legs in two places below the knee. That's why he was seen in a wheel chair in the program. I suppose he was wearing walking shorts because he could not wear pants over the cast. Maybe somebody else can enlighten us further.

Barbara

48

Swiss TV Program w/Andersons and Bowen on the Internet although in French

by AndersonsInfo in

i just received the email below from an xjw in quebec.

we were wondering if we would get to see the program, a jw expose', we were interviewed for last spring and now everyone can see it all on the internet.

it aired on swiss tv yesterday.

AndersonsInfo

Here's the gist of some segments of the program translated by a friend in Paris. She said:

I will try to recount what they were saying in French, starting with "Eric".

That is not his real name. Since he is still a JW, he didn't want to be recognized, hence the covered head and synthesized voice. The narrator says Eric wanted to give the interview incognito.

Eric starts by saying that just giving this interview and saying anything that goes against the Watchtower would result in excommunication. He would be shunned and no one among his family or friends would speak to him. For ten years, Eric has been having doubts. But inside the congregation those doubts must not be cited. They have made it clear that if anyone has any doubts in God's organization then you doubt God, doubt the Christ, doubt your family who believe in this organization, and therefore the final result is excommunication.

Excommunication is a sword that is always hanging above your head, Eric said. These doubts were enforced even more the day his very sick child had to have a blood transfusion, one of the major interdictions of the
JWs. Eric's view is that his child did not choose to be a JW. Although Eric himself is one, his child did not choose to be one. He won't impose his religion on his child. He told the doctors to do what ever
necessary, and if his child needs blood, then give it to him.

Since his child was hospitalized, he got constant visits from elders, citing scriptures to encourage Eric not to have his child transfused. He did not want to tell the elders that his child had already been transfused. He does not feel ready yet to be disfellowshipped. He says that the day he will be disfellowshipped, he would be ostracized by his friends and family; they would not be able to see nor speak nor even ask how he is, even to respond to an SMS or an email. If he is trying not to be disfellowshipped, the only reason is so as not to
distress his parents. He is actually waiting for them to pass away so that he would be finally free of the JWs. If he was disfellowshipped, for his parents it would be like he was dead—impossible to see him again.

After Andersons’ interview, the JW elder who was interviewed said: "We as Jehovah's Witnesses warn our children to be careful and watch out for inappropriate behavior from adults in this respect. He then
showed magazines saying that the JWs have published articles years before the Catholic priests scandals warning not only JW children but children from all over the world the dangers of pedophilia.

Then there is the part of the program where the guy is writing furiously and the words appear on a computer screen. Somewhere in Switzerland, another elder says he has lived a different reality. He is burning to tell his story, but is afraid of strong reprisals for him and his family. He has decided to write down in text his experiences. His writings are then officially authenticated by a notary public, then read out loud by an actor:

"One of the members in our congregation, a brother, had come forward to tell us elders, that he had committed a serious sin, that he had been sexually abusing two of his children. I thought the world was falling apart. How could something like this be even possible in the midst of Jehovah's house? In this type of situation,
all the elders must keep this in absolute secret. The procedure is as follows: a committee is comprised of three elders capable of judging the case, a kind of closed court within the JWs. The decision of the
closed court, with the agreement of the leadership in Thun, was excommunication.

“But even more serious, is the fact then none of the leaders or elders denounced this man, either locally or nationally, to the police for violating the law against incest. None of the leaders took any action to protect the young victims. This man committed a crime, and nobody lifted a finger to deliver this man to justice. I personally gave my opinion on this matter to the JW authorities in Switzerland, and even higher up, but in vain. So I ended up leaving the JWs."

Now the same elder who was interviewed before comes on. He says "Well, I read half of the text", and the journalist cuts in and says "I invite you to read the entire text, it's important." And he replies,
"No, well, this text is written by one person, one-sided, doesn't give his identity; doesn't give a date... I'm not capable to react to this type of anonymous message."

The journalist then asks, "Is it true that in a case like this you demand two witnesses, as the bible demands two witnesses?"

The elder replies: "In the majority of cases, yes. But in pedophilia cases, it is too serious to ask for two witnesses. You have a hard time imagining finding two witnesses in a case where an uncle or someone else is molesting a child in his room while the parents are away."

Journalist asks, "Is the person denounced immediately and without discussion to the police?"

Elder: "In a case like this, it is up to the parents to go to the police, according to Swiss legislation."

Journalist: "And if it is a case of incest which has become known to you?"

Now the elder feels uneasy and fumbles.

"Well...uh...so.... in that case.... uh... well, I never experienced this case personally, so I can't answer that, but anyway, I know of two cases, one was proven and one was not, but in the proven case, the
police were immediately called."

Then Roberto explains about what is highlighted in the elder's manual. He then says as an elder he knew of several serious cases which were not denounced. He knows of others which were. It depends on the case. In most cases the organization demands secrecy. If the person is already disfellowshipped and no longer a JW, then it's easy to denounce him, and would be a show that they were "doing something about it" but when the person is not disfellowshipped, then they don't go to the police.

Then they interview a lawyer who is an expert on this subject. The journalist explains that in Switzerland the law makes mandatory every citizen who comes to know of a case of child sexual abuse to denounce
them to the police, every citizen except those who are covered under the law of professional confidentiality. The lawyer who is interviewed is an expert on religious beliefs. He says, "A clergyman benefits from
the laws of confidentiality, protected by the same penal codes as a doctor, for example. In consequence, he is not under obligation to tell the authorities, but he does have the ability to do it."

The journalist then explains that in Switzerland, there is no list of official religions. It is up to the courts on case by case basis to determine the ecclesiastical functions of the title of "elder."

The lawyer admits that the Swiss legislation on this matter has a large loop-hole. He says, "Personally, I think because of the fragility of the minors involved and often their impossibility to express
themselves, or sometimes doing so very late in life or sometimes too late in life, I think there should be a clear obligation to denounce these facts by anyone as soon as they become known."

Journalist: "So they should change the laws on this matter?" Lawyer: "The laws must evolve accordingly in this domain, absolutely."

The journalist concludes: "The faith of the JWs, no matter how backwards they look from the outside, is not up for discussion. However, the gaps in Swiss legislation are worth thinking about. During these past few years, no Swiss legislator has dared to take on this dossier."

48

Swiss TV Program w/Andersons and Bowen on the Internet although in French

by AndersonsInfo in

i just received the email below from an xjw in quebec.

we were wondering if we would get to see the program, a jw expose', we were interviewed for last spring and now everyone can see it all on the internet.

it aired on swiss tv yesterday.

AndersonsInfo

I received this email from Roberto di Stafano, a poster on JWN, whose interview appeared early on in the Swiss program. His daughter, Amanda, was the first one who expressed herself about what it was like being raised a JW. His son, Fulvio, was the next one interviewed.

Roberto's email:

Hi Barb, Yes indeed, it was an excellent program! I have appreciated that they did not misrepresent what we tried to communicate; you know how some journalists are sometimes.

We wanted to call you when the program was over, but we had so many phone calls and skype contacts that you cannot imagine; even my doctor called right afterwards. At the end I was so stressed and tired that I had to go to bed.

I plan to translate it into English and Italian, once I get the OK from the TV Program management. Will let you know.

It is good that you post it on JWN. I really had no time, and just did it in French apart from Italian.

Reactions are very explosive, people are insulting Amanda and Fulvio on the TV forum, where spectators can comment, all JW of course, whereas the general public was applauding the courage we had to leave, on one hand, and to come in the open on TV to witness against the WT.

Roberto

48

Swiss TV Program w/Andersons and Bowen on the Internet although in French

by AndersonsInfo in

i just received the email below from an xjw in quebec.

we were wondering if we would get to see the program, a jw expose', we were interviewed for last spring and now everyone can see it all on the internet.

it aired on swiss tv yesterday.

AndersonsInfo

I just received the email below from an XJW in Quebec. We were wondering if we would get to see the program, a JW expose', we were interviewed for last Spring and now everyone can see it all on the Internet. It aired on Swiss TV yesterday. Sorry to say it's entirely in French. The interview with Bill Bowen, Joe and I can be seen towards the end of the 52 minute documentary speaking English but translated into French. This program was seen in France, Italy and Switzerland. Barbara A very good documentary on JW's aired on Nov. the 11th. We can see Bill Bowen and the Anderson's. It's in French though. "Grandir avec Jéhovah" : "Growing with Jehovah" Online : http://www.tsr.ch/emissions/temps-present/2482487-grandir-avec-jehovah.html

125

Watch the complete fragmentation of the Watchtower begin

by Dogpatch in

jw
friends

wow, dudes and dudess, it really looks like glacial fragmentation is inevitable in the mighty mom.. unless j. mason is making this all up.

but his sources seem credible.. kudos j. mason.. somehow i smell a bill bowen in this.

that makes it hot!

AndersonsInfo

I received the following email from J. Mason Emerson this morning plus an attachment, which is a commentary breaking down chapter by chapter of the new elder's book. I looked on Freeminds and didn't see a link to the commentary as yet, so I'll put the commentary/review of the first four chapters beneath Emerson's email and if it doesn't cause moderator problems, I'll post the rest:

Here you go, folks. Just click the attachment. It's a critique/long synopsis/commentary or what-not, so doesn't break copyright and can thus be freely shared which by all means please do now with your email group/s. Also post it in full or part as you wish on websites. Viva Ray Franz and Christian Freedom! Randy Watters says he also plans to put a copy on his site and I will on mine too, that is on christianwitnesses.com, when it gets totally fixed. Sorry if I accidentally send you a double later. It's late at night here and I'm quite sleepy..... but not too late for a poem: Watchtower, Watchtower, may thine Service Desk men moan and groan, A traveling merchant thou art, from thine hideous face unto mocking snout, Watchtower, Watchtower, may thy Governing Body whine and flee, So soon shalt thou become from thine own words no bigger than a flea -- Or a fallen tree! J Mason Emerson or simply Joe P.S. How sweet as copies of this also start falling into the regular mail, the laps of regular non-JW friends as well as elders. The playing field of knowledge just go a whole lot more level.

THE WATCHTOWER SOCIETY’S SHOCKING 2010 “SHEPHERDING THE FLOCK OF GOD” MANUAL

Law enforcement, judges, juries, legislators and others will find of enormous value this critique of the manual which the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society over Jehovah’s Witnesses published for its elders (clergy class) in 2010. For short, here the organization is called Watchtower. The most significant chapters appear after 1 and 2, and if your time or patience are limited, then you may wish to skip those. It should also help some readers to know that the terms “disfellowshipped” means “kicked out then severely shunned,” “disassociated” means “voluntarily quit but also severely shunned.”

CHAPTER 1 begins with Watchtower telling elders (its clergy class) that Jehovah (God Almighty) has entrusted his flock to them. They tell their elders that, besides the Bible, the elders also get timely direction from "the faithful and discreet slave.” This expression entails Watchtower itself and in particular its Governing Body men at the very top. Not told or explained, but for the readers’ benefit here, is that there are numerous other corporations or entities making up an entire Watchtower (also sometimes spelled Watch Tower) chain or umbrella organization.

Watchtower adds that their year 2010 manual was prepared to help elders shepherd God's flock by providing orderly, vital information. Moreover, Watchtower’s elders are told they are to be protectors of the flock, just and merciful. Still farther along in paragraph 9, Watchtower similarly adds that elders are to be like Jehovah "with loving-kindness, impartiality, and merciful judgment.”

So, Watchtower starts the manual by making an effort to show itself as good and reasonable. That last word, though, namely “judgment” is what really shows the most in what follows. Just keep reading.....

CHAPTER 2 on page 11 is called "How Elders Work Together as a Body." In it Watchtower assures (or misleads) its elders to believe that they, that is the elders, are accepting Jesus Christ as Head of the congregation and that they are just letting the Bible be their guide, but then Watchtower says the elders must be obeying agencies used by "the faithful and discreet slave/" Watchtower notes that besides its Governing Body men in particular, that includes their traveling overseers and other appointees.

The chapter then goes on to give everyday details on things about elders' meetings, for example when to meet, what to do. All in all the details in the chapter show why elders are worn out trying to do everything Watchtower orders them to do. It notes that "If a decision is not unanimous, the minority should give willing support to the final decision." For example group overseers are to be PROMPT about informing as to whom in their groups didn’t report door-to-door time during the month. An assigned elder has to note anyone missing during meetings, try to find out why they are missing the meetings, and try to get them to turn around.

He or an assisting elder or ministerial servant (essentially a deacon or elder-in-training) is to visit all in his group to give encouragement and counsel (in other words poke and prod), concentrating on those who are WEAK or IRREGULAR in meeting attendance or field activity, ill, depressed, or inactive. He is also to review with his assistant the record cards of those in his group to determine their ministry strengths and weaknesses; to promptly get late reports in for the secretary etc. The chapter’s details paint a pictures of elders being people who follow a busy routine that can also stress and burn out.

CHAPTER 3 is called "Appointment and Deletion of Elders and Ministerial Servants.” It starts on page 30. Watchtower says before elders recommend that Watchtower appoint a person as a ministerial servant or elder they must see if he is qualified. Those appointed must be "spiritual" men as shown for example by attending and participating at meetings, zealously going to preach at doors, help his family members do the same, etc. For him to be considered, either his wife is to be a similarly zealous baptized Jehovah's Witness or else he must be assisting her to become one who is. He must also have his kids under control, and they must be believers. Too, did he ever get into trouble before, especially so concerning adultery or other marital problems?

In paragraph 16 Watchtower moves elders against appointing any Jehovah's Witness man who has allowed a disfellowshipped (shunned) or disassociated family member to move back into his house. In fact if an already active elder does this then the other elders are to review his qualifications too. Watchtower tells elders to consider if the real motive is so the family can associate with him, and Watchtower also says his allowing the son or daughter to come back home might be so disturbing to the congregation as to cause a number to lose respect for him.

This attitude of Watchtower makes it look like its concern is large for its supposed great image of super holiness, but appallingly thin in concern for the benefit of flesh-and-blood humans. This is seen beyond the manual too as when for example an elder had a son who had been disfellowshipped move back into his home so that the son would not be homeless and could get help with his clinical depression and suicidal inclination. Watchtower moved against that elder after he showed his compassion for his own son.

Continuing, paragraph 17 says an elder or ministerial servant can be removed for declaring bankruptcy. Watchtower directs its elders to for example consider if the person lacked self-control in spending or “failed to use reasonable foresight in his business decisions." So how well an elder does or doesn’t run a business he may have will determine if he gets deleted or not. The other elders will judge him whether they know a thing about his line of business or not. Is all of this reasonable? How can they really know if HE ran the business right or not? How can they actually know if they could have done any better??

Possibly to try to confuse judges and juries, Watchtower on page 30 paragraph 2 tells elders "The Governing Body and its representatives rely heavily upon your good judgment and spiritual discernment in making your recommendations." This may be a way they can get readers to think the Service Department in the headquarters is not so legally liable or responsible for the appointing of ministerial servants and elders. The reason they would want that is because being liable means having to pay out for settlements and satisfying court rulings about cases that come due to the misdoings of some of the elders on things such as child molestation. If so, they fail in the effort.

Quoting precisely Watchtower’s words: 19. “If it comes to light or an appointed brother confesses that he has committed a disfellowshipping offense years in the past: The body of elders may determine he can continue to serve if the following is true: The immorality or other serious wrongdoing occurred more than a few years ago, and he is genuinely repentant, recognizing that he should have come forward immediately when he sinned. (Perhaps he has even confessed to his sin) seeking help with his guilty conscience.) He has been serving faithfully for many years, has evidence of God's blessing, and has the respect of the congregation.”

This can mean for example if about three and a half years ago an elder went to a massage parlor, had sex with a prostitute, etc, but he later confesses it to the rest of the local Body Of Elders, that Body can let him keep being an elder if he cries about it and they know he has been an elder a long time, and few to none of the other Jehovah’s Witnesses in the congregation know what he did. This is a wide-open loophole by Watchtower letting elders from the local level up into the Service Department and Governing Body to get away with “serious wrongdoing.” That way Watchtower retains more elders and keeps quiet what they have done so that it also protects “Jehovah’s” glorious image, that is Watchtower’s image. Watchtower’s Governing Body, Service and Legal Departments seem keen to keep even the worst such elders partly to keep more elders around since so many have been quitting.

Watchtower on page 20, paragraph 3 says “the sin may involve past child abuse, and this would likely disqualify him for many years.-w971/1 pp. 26-29; w77 pp. 697-698. 38 "Shepherd the Flock of God-l Peter 5:2.” But before saying “that sounds reasonable,” note that it does not say he would definitely be disqualified from being an elder. It also says that even if disqualified, later after “many years” he can then be eligible again to be an elder. Watchtower again fails to truly protect Jehovah’s Witness children (and the Public’s) from molestation. They like to give the impression that they do while in fact not doing so.

On the other hand Watchtower tells its elders in paragraph 21 that if the wrongdoing occurred in the past few years while a man was a ministerial servant, he is disqualified from serving as one since he is not "free from accusation,” and the situation might be dealt with by a judicial committee. So, too bad for him he didn’t get all the way up to Watchtower’s clergy position of elder before what he did was found out; for under Watchtower’s rule, as said, he could have been totally forgiven. Watchtower in this little paragraph is trying to seem more even-handed, but “trying to seem” even-handed is exactly the point.

Indeed, Watchtower makes it as hard as possible for an elder or ministerial servant to resign. At paragraph 29 it orders that information concerning the deletion of an elder or servant should be retained indefinitely in the congregation's confidential file. This is to include “S-2 forms and S-52 acknowledgment letters from branch and related correspondence.” Watchtower tries to pass this off as simply for keeping information in case the elder were to ever be recommended for appointment again.

More likely they want all the details kept handy as they may fear he could become a major opponent later, for example, by putting copies of (or remembered details of) “confidential” (secret) matters he knew of upon the internet. They don’t say it but would likely also want to keep him under close surveillance from then on. An ex-elder knows where the bodies are buried and so Watchtower must feel utterly frightened of what each ex-elder knows or, for all they know, just might know.

CHAPTER 4 is called “Assisting Those Who Are Week.” It starts at paragraph 1 with Watchtower telling its elders to be quick to stop non-elders from getting too "spiritually weak." This means they are to watch for any who might be going to fewer Watchtower meetings and book studies, speaking criticisms, not going out preaching door-to-door as much. Ideally elders are to make shepherding calls at the homes of Jehovah's Witness members. They need to make an appointment, prepare, be relaxed and loving, use the Bible, not stay too long, have prayer, do follow up, etc.

In paragraph 11 Watchtower tells elders that before telling a non-elder that her or his dress and grooming is or are not appropriate, at least two of the elders should confer about the person. After doing so to make sure it’s not just the opinion of one elder alone, then one of the two elders is go to the offender “without delay.”

On page 52 Watchtower’s manual begins with “Assisting Those With Marital Problems” in paragraph 18 and continues through paragraph 20. Watchtower urges elders to “modestly” meet with married couples and lovingly assist them in how to better handle their marriages although, of course, only the couples can make the final decisions. If a marriage mate is considering a divorce, the elders should explain that divorcing won’t free her/him to remarry unless there was adultery, (Matt. 19:9) and also divorce may make it harder to reconcile. Watchtower tells the elders they are not supposed to either encourage or forbid divorce or separation or divorce; neither should they forbid it. However, the fact is that they all too often do lean people toward such things.

Also after saying the decisions are supposed to belong to a person her/himself, Watchtower tell its elders the person’s “decisions in this area disqualify him or her from receiving special privileges normally given to those viewed as exemplary.” So in other words Watchtower tells its elders to say “do whatever you decide but then Watchtower wants us to punish you for whatever you decide.” Can you believe it!

Paragraph 21 on page 53 says to treat child abuse victims with extra love and tenderness which sounds great. Paragraph 22 on page 54 says elders aren’t mental health professionals or therapists so don’t try to act like one, which rings true. Paragraph 23 says to listen closely -- logical. Paragraph 25 notes "...While participating in group therapy by a professional therapist is a matter for personal decision, there could be a revealing of confidential facts about other members of the Christian congregation during such sessions if a Christian does not exercise discretion." Now, this sounds like Watchtower is scared that negatively revealing things about its elders and itself might come out that could cause them major troubles such as lawsuits and settlement payouts. Their major concern appear to be most of all for themselves not the child molestation victims and others.

Watchtower in paragraph 26 tells its elders to be careful they don’t spend too much time with those who are emotionally disturbed since their valuable time is needed to help others including their own families. It may for example be enough to just give them “brief words of encouragement” or a short prayer. This sounds like Watchtower is saying to give the people with the greatest need the least attention possible! What kind of shepherding is that?

In the section called “Cautions Regarding Assisting Sisters” starting on page 56, Watchtower in paragraph 27 tells elders to never meet a sister alone and don’t become the lone confidant of a sister undergoing marital problems. In paragraph 28 it emphasizes to never meet “alone with a sister who is a victim of abuse, suffers from depression, or for any other reason is in a delicate emotional state. A woman in such an emotional state may be more vulnerable and may be prone to develop improper feelings toward an elder meeting with her.” Since this is stating the obvious, Watchtower likely knows it happens quite often and, indeed, many long-time non-elders can tell you that they in fact have seen a lot of just such affairs.