Posts by AndersonsInfo

4

"Witness to a cult"-activist featured in hometown paper

by DannyHaszard in

witness to a 'cult' .

golden writer talks about childhood in watch tower society

(featured on the front page of her hometown newspaper) see article using link:

AndersonsInfo

Brenda Lee's account of her life in the book, "Out of the Cocoon: a Young Woman's Courageous Flight from the Grip of a Religious Cult," left Joe and I with such sadness because it is a story repeated over and over again of children never reaching their life potential because of parental involvement with Jehovah's Witnesses. We admire Brenda's spirit as she sought to overcome some bad decisions made after escaping a childhood filled with unhappiness.
Brenda's tenaciousness to survive and create a balanced and happy life for herself and her child illustrate for us how it is possible for former Jehovah's Witnesses to achieve victory over the detrimental effects of self-pity after realizing how life's opportunities were lost due to their parents' religion.
Thank you, Brenda Lee, for your dedication to help make people aware of the mind-captivating delusionary ideas of an organization that has become diabolical in its stranglehold on its members.
Barbara Anderson

32

New Web Site Introduction

by Marvin Shilmer in

jw
friends

this is to announce a newly refurbished web site at jwtruth.com.

this site intends to work as a clearing house of information about the wts and its religious abuses.

the site will also aid activists who want the wts to stop its religious abuses.

AndersonsInfo

We sent our protest e-mail. What a wonderful way to start the new year.

10

Information about M.L. McPhail

by maplaza in

i have seen the messages posted about the w.h.

conley subject... and i have think that maybe somebody in this forum can help me with the following.

i have searched the watchtower reprints volumes and what i need is any other information.

AndersonsInfo

The entire February 1, 1896 ZION’S WATCH TOWER featured M. L. McPhail’s songs, Copyright, some in 1894 and others in 1895. It was called THE MUSICAL TOWER. In the Reprints, the songs are located on pages 1925-34. The title of the collection of eleven songs is, ZION’S GLAD SONGS OF THE MORNING.
The names of the songs are:
The Shining Light; Before the Great White Throne; Oh, I Am So Happy; I’m Nearing the Goal; Jubilee Echoes; When the Crowning Day Shall Come; Fullness of Joy; I’m Running for the Prize Divine; Now are We the Sons of God; In That Day; O Christ, Our Immortality.
In the February 15, 1896 ZION’S WATCH TOWER, found on page 1935 in the Watch Tower Reprints, the following article appears:
THE MUSICAL TOWER
We have heard from many of their pleasure in connection with our last issue of the TOWER—“Zion’s Glad Songs of the Morning.” We would like it if these beautiful songs should become popular among Christian people generally. The singing of the truth is a good way to get it in to the heads and hearts of God’s people. It is one way of preaching the Gospel, which figuratively is called a “song:” “Thou hast put a new song into my mouth, even the loving kindness of our God.”
We thank God for the musical and poetic talents granted some of his saints. (We esteem the collection represented in the MUSICAL TOWER, and in our hymn book, “Poems and Hymns of Millennial Dawn,” to be not only choice doctrinally, but also choice poetically.) We thank God for the privilege of serving the truth to his flock in poetry, as well as in prose. Let each one who receives be active in serving again, by song and printed page and word, to others who have not yet tasted the heavenly food provided now, as “meat in due season,” by our present Lord. If the whole body were an eye or foot or hand, where would be the symmetry? Nay, those members which even seem to be feeble and less important are all necessary, and may all do something in the service.—1 Cor. 13:17-24. Extra copies of the musical TOWER will be supplied at the rate of five cents each, or twenty-five to one address for $1.
ZION’S WATCH TOWER, November 15, 1900, pages 279-280 or page 2697 in the Reprints
“ZION’S GLAD SONGS”
Our dear Brother McPhail, who has quite a talent for music, has collected a number of new and beautiful hymns,--the music to the majority being his own composition. These, fifty-four in number, are well printed, and appropriately bound in paper covers,--price 10 cents each, or $1 per dozen, postage free.
This little book, entitled “Zion’s Glad Songs,” has another feature which we are sure will be appreciated by many, viz., the addition of the music for twenty-eight old tunes, long, short, common, and peculiar meters. These are inserted in the interest of our regular hymn book, “Poems and Hymns of Dawn,” the tunes of the remainder being copyrighted.
It is not at all the thought that the new book will supplant the old one; for many of the grand old hymns cannot be equaled by any new ones, either in words or tunes. The thought is to make it supplementary. As such we recommend it to you all. Our first edition of 6,000 is now ready and orders will be filled as received.
THE NEW COVENANT ADVOCATE
February 1932
Interest in the Lord’s Second Coming reawakened early in the 19th century, brought into verse and song the longings of the Church for the return of her Lord, which have found their way into many denominational hymnals.
The traveling evangelists of the latter part of the 19th century were sometimes musically gifted, but often the musical part of the service was in charge of a singer who both contributed solos of an evangelistic character and led the congregational singing. Ira D. Sankey and P.P. Bliss composed many popular tunes, which, with suitable words, had a great influence, giving a decidedly religious atmosphere to many homes, where old and young were continually humming and singing them.
Among the contributors of songs of praise for the use of God’s people was Mr. M. L. McPhail, who passed away November 24, 1931, aged about 80 years. He was a Scotsman, but at the time I made his acquaintance was living in Canton, Ohio, U.S.A. Both of us were members of the Methodist Church, the principal church in the town, Mr. McPhail being choir leader and the present writer a youthful member of the choir. Mr. McPhail possessed a fine baritone voice of unusually great compass and was in demand at social functions of all kinds, at some of which I had the pleasure of assisting as accompanist. He was also instructor in singing at the Canton public schools, and sometimes took a group of singers on tours of neighboring towns.
In the winter of 1889-90 Mr. McPhail had an engagement in another city, to instruct a glee club in part singing, and one day visited the local music dealer (Mr. Porter). While there he remarked that his brother, the Rev. John McPhail, who was engaged in evangelistic work, wished him to accompany him as singer and song leader, but he was doubtful whether he was sufficiently informed in Scripture to take such a position. He was a believer in Jesus, and a church member, but there were many Bible subjects upon which he felt very deficient. The wife of the music dealer, who was present and heard his expressed desire for more knowledge, said, “I can help you,” and proceeded to lay before him some scriptures indicating that God had a well defined plan that He was carrying out over a series of ages, each age having its own particular work, and all working harmoniously to His own glory; that there was a “high calling” for the present age, and that soon His kingdom would be set up in power and authority in the earth; that the popular teaching of eternal torment was an error, and that God’s purpose was to bless and enlighten through His Son not a few only, but all for whom Christ died.
Mr. McPhail received all this with avidity, and was given a small book called, “The Plan of the Ages” to read along these lines. On his return to Canton he continued searching the Scriptures whether these things were so.
Mr. McPhail had agreed to go on the evangelistic mission with his brother John, but as they proceeded felt more and more out of place in meetings were the teaching of eternal torment for the unsaved was one of the principal topics. He endeavored to impart the truth on the subject of future punishment to his brother, but with little success, and so terminated his evangelistic labors. Within the next few years, however, his brother John came to see the truth on the soul, the state of the dead, etc.; and, being no longer able to teach the former doctrine of eternal misery, resigned from the Methodist connection. Both removed to Chicago, Ill., where Mr. M. L. continued as a teacher of singing; his wife and some of his family being in sympathy with the truths he now proclaimed.
Brother McPhail made a great impression at the 1981 Convention, both with his singing and his earnest way of talking. He was a rapid speaker, with a profusion of ideas, and was entertaining as well as instructive. He had a remarkable memory for chapter and verse, and urged upon all the importance of being able to locate and quote accurately texts offered in proof of any statement. He pointed out that many cannot give chapter and verse because they do not apply their minds to the matter, and recommended everyone to write out texts on slips of paper to carry in the pocket and go over them until well stored in mind. Soon afterward he was sent out regularly as a “pilgrim” to visit the brethren in their home towns and build them up in the faith. In this capacity he traveled extensively in the U.S. and Canada, and later on visited Great Britain. Many will remember one of his favorite sayings—“I used to be a Scotchman, but now I am a new creature.”
Brother McPhail’s gift as a composer of spiritual songs was exhibited before 1908 in two or three small books, which were utilized by many Bible class meetings. In 1908 he published “Zion’s Glad Songs,” a collection of 248 hymns and spiritual songs, the majority of his own composition. This song-book was followed by another smaller collection, under the title “Songs of Comfort.” His gift for tuneful melody has been often remarked by musicians and others who enjoy these “Glad Songs.”
To Brother McPhail and ourselves and many other brethren who had enjoyed fellowship under the Watch Tower auspices there came in 1907 and 1908 the necessity of separating from the Watch Tower movement owing to the adoption of strange ideas by its Editor, who had assumed the title of “Pastor” Russell, and claimed to be the only “channel” of truth.
Brother McPhail took a firm stand against these errors, as we were glad to note at the time, and devoted many years to pointing them out to Watch Tower adherents, preaching Jesus Christ and Him crucified as the one Foundation for faith.
--E.C.H.

9

Journal of C&S blood article translations ok'd for the web

by AndersonsInfo in

kerry louderback-wood's article, "jehovah's witnesses, blood transfusions, and the tort of misrepresentation," is presently being translated into 16 languages: portuguese, spanish, polish, norwegian, german, french, swedish, italian, russian, hebrew, finnish, danish, japanese, korean, albanian and dutch.. yesterday, the editor of the journal of church and state gave permission for ms. wood's article to be put on the internet in any language, other than english.

please note: if in english, this article can not be put on any internet site.. if you would like to translate the article into a language which is not listed above, please pm me.

barbara

AndersonsInfo

bttt

9

Journal of C&S blood article translations ok'd for the web

by AndersonsInfo in

kerry louderback-wood's article, "jehovah's witnesses, blood transfusions, and the tort of misrepresentation," is presently being translated into 16 languages: portuguese, spanish, polish, norwegian, german, french, swedish, italian, russian, hebrew, finnish, danish, japanese, korean, albanian and dutch.. yesterday, the editor of the journal of church and state gave permission for ms. wood's article to be put on the internet in any language, other than english.

please note: if in english, this article can not be put on any internet site.. if you would like to translate the article into a language which is not listed above, please pm me.

barbara

AndersonsInfo

bttt

9

Journal of C&S blood article translations ok'd for the web

by AndersonsInfo in

kerry louderback-wood's article, "jehovah's witnesses, blood transfusions, and the tort of misrepresentation," is presently being translated into 16 languages: portuguese, spanish, polish, norwegian, german, french, swedish, italian, russian, hebrew, finnish, danish, japanese, korean, albanian and dutch.. yesterday, the editor of the journal of church and state gave permission for ms. wood's article to be put on the internet in any language, other than english.

please note: if in english, this article can not be put on any internet site.. if you would like to translate the article into a language which is not listed above, please pm me.

barbara

AndersonsInfo

Kerry Louderback-Wood's article, "Jehovah's Witnesses, Blood Transfusions, and the Tort of Misrepresentation," is presently being translated into 16 languages: Portuguese, Spanish, Polish, Norwegian, German, French, Swedish, Italian, Russian, Hebrew, Finnish, Danish, Japanese, Korean, Albanian and Dutch.
Yesterday, the editor of the Journal of Church and State gave permission for Ms. Wood's article to be put on the Internet in any language, OTHER THAN ENGLISH.
Please note: If in English, this article CAN NOT be put on any Internet site.
If you would like to translate the article into a language which is not listed above, please PM me.
Thank you,
Barbara

12

A Question For BARBARA ANDERSON

by DevonMcBride in

when things settle down is there any chance the lawyer who wrote this article, or one of her colleagues would be willing to come to this forum and answer some of the many questions we may have?

AndersonsInfo

I just don't have an answer to that question. I know the author is following the posts here on JWD with interest, and I do know she's one plucky gal and can hold her own in any sort of discussion.

Barbara

328

Journal of Church and State: WT NO-BLOOD EXPOSE'

by AndersonsInfo in

(baylor university, waco, tx) an essay entitled, "jehovah's witnesses, blood transfusions, and the tort of misrepresentation," found in the autumn issue of baylor universitys prestigious journal of church and state, published december 13, 2005, exposes the vulnerability of jehovahs witnesses religious organization to massive claims for compensation because of the religions misrepresentation of the medical risks of blood transfusions.

this milestone essay critically examines one of the religions main publications for teaching their children and new recruits about their blood beliefs, how can blood save your life?

the peer-reviewed essay details many misrepresentations of medical facts, which the religion partly relies on to support its blood prohibition, thus denying its members from making fully informed medical decisions.

AndersonsInfo

This past Sunday, a Bethel "heavy" was at a one-day assembly here in the South. He said that JWs have to listen and follow the directives of the Governing Body because what they speak comes "from the lips of Jehovah himself."
I'm dismayed, to say the least, that these men have gone this far off base with their mythmaking.
If information and instruction comes from the "lips of Jehovah" directly to the Governing Body, than the brochure, "How Can Blood Save Your Life?" came from the "lips of Jehovah." This brochure is full of lies, so Jehovah's lips lie?
Lies have brought down governments, destroyed relationships and caused thousands of JWs to be disfellowshipped. And in the case of the persuasive lies contained in the "Blood" brochure, these lies have been instrumental in causing people, since 1990, to take an action that could, and did for many thousands, result in death.
It is the lying that will cause the Watchtower to go out of business. What if there will be no lawsuits? Most likely there will be many. However, it is the LYING of the Watchtower that will cause it to lose credibility and without credibility no one will listen to "new light" or read new WT books. As credibility is defined as the quality or power of inspiring belief, a credibility gap means LACK OF BELIEVABILITY. The WT lacks credibility as shown by my research into the "Given Ones" teaching. Now there is tremendous lack of credibility because of Mrs. Louderback-Wood's research into the "How Can Blood Save Your Life?" brochure. What about all their directives in between this silly to serious information that purportedly emanated from the "lips of Jehovah" through his Governing Body? When they find out, this will be an appalling situation for JWs and even for those in the Bethels around the world.
Barbara

49

How did they dare?

by Narkissos in

jw
friends

.

this is a very simple question which came to my mind shortly after i broke free from the jw/fundamentalistic mindset.. assuming (1) that "god" didn't do and say everything that the bible texts record him doing and saying, and (2) that the writers were not cynical, machiavelical atheists forging a "god" for the sole purpose of mind control, but really believed in their "god", the question is: how did they dare make their "god" speak and act?.

this question, of course, is pointless to you if you believe (1) that "god" did do and say everything that the bible texts record him doing and saying, or (2) that the writers were cynical, machiavelical atheists forging a "god" for the sole purpose of mind control.. but if you are somewhere in between, as many of us are (i think), this is a fascinating question which can help us get a better idea of the true nature of faith, between passive "fear of god" and the audacity of literary creation.. any taker?

AndersonsInfo

This past Sunday, a Bethel "heavy" was at a one-day assembly here in the South. He said that JWs have to listen and follow the direction of the Governing Body because what they speak comes "from the lips of Jehovah himself."
I'm dismayed, to say the least, that these men have gone this far off base with their myth-making.
If information and instruction comes from the "lips of Jehovah" directly to the Governing Body, than the brochure, "How Can Blood Save Your Life?" came from the "lips of Jehovah." This brochure is full of lies, so Jehovah's lips lie?
Lies have brought down governments, destroyed relationships, caused thousands of JWs to be disfellowshipped, and in the case of the persuasive information contained in the "Blood" brochure, it has been instrumental in causing people, since 1990, to take an action that could, and did for many thousands, result in death.

Barbara

18

Read "How Can Blood Save Your Life?"

by AndersonsInfo in

read the watchtower society's blood brochure here:.

http://www.watchtower.org/library/hb/article_00.htm.

make a copy before wt removes it from their site.. barbara

AndersonsInfo

Read the Watchtower Society's Blood brochure here:
http://www.watchtower.org/library/hb/article_00.htm
Make a copy before WT removes it from their site.
Barbara