on february 22, 2023, anthony morris iii was officially removed from the governing body of jehovah's witnesses.
a few months later it was revealed that the watchtower bought him a house in lumberton, north carolina.. however, and correct me if i am wrong, since leaving the gb nobody has reported seeing tony attending jw meetings or participating in field service.
in fact nobody has reported seeing him anywhere, not even at a local liquor store.
Anthony Morris always wanted a singing career. Since he was a big follower of Prince and Morris Day, he moved to Minnesota and paid big $$$$$$$ to Morris Day to switch places and move to Lumberton, North Carolina and hide. Since Morris Day hasn't had a singing career for over 20 years and all of his fans forgot what he looked like, Anthony Morris will now become the new MORRIS DAY AND THE TIME!
the watchtower—study edition | september 2023. study article 39. let mildness be your strength.
11 if a workmate asks, for example, why we do not celebrate birthdays, consider: could he be wondering whether we are allowed to have a good time?
or might he feel that our position will dampen the company’s team spirit?
Questions From Readers
Many of Jehovah’s Witnesses observe wedding anniversaries. A birthday is an anniversary of when you were born. So why celebrate wedding anniversaries and not birthday anniversaries?
Well, early in this century, Bible Students, as Jehovah’s Witnesses were then known, did take note of birthdays. Many of them kept small books called Daily Heavenly Manna. These contained a Bible text for each day, and many Christians put a tiny photograph on the pages corresponding to the birthdays of fellow Bible Students. Also, The Watch Tower of February 15, 1909, related that at a convention in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.A., Brother Russell, then president of the Society, was ushered onto the platform. Why? He was given a surprise birthday present of some boxes of grapefruit, pineapples, and oranges. That gives us a glimpse of the past. To put matters in their context, recall that during that period, Bible Students also commemorated December 25 as the anniversary of Jesus’ birth, or birthday. It was even customary to have Christmas dinner at the Brooklyn headquarters.
the watchtower—study edition | september 2023. study article 39. let mildness be your strength.
11 if a workmate asks, for example, why we do not celebrate birthdays, consider: could he be wondering whether we are allowed to have a good time?
or might he feel that our position will dampen the company’s team spirit?
https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/children/become-jehovahs-friend/videos/jehovah-forgives/
Poor Caleb! There is a birthday party in Caleb's class. There is cake and cupcakes. Caleb watches all his classmates eat cupcakes. He tries will all his might not to eat one. He gives into the temptation. He decides to grab a cupcake. His classmates catch him in the act. He feels so bad that his dad has to give him a lecture on why Jehovah forgives him for the cupcake incident. Talk about the Watchtower Society putting fear into a six year old!
the watchtower—study edition | september 2023. study article 39. let mildness be your strength.
11 if a workmate asks, for example, why we do not celebrate birthdays, consider: could he be wondering whether we are allowed to have a good time?
or might he feel that our position will dampen the company’s team spirit?
Nothing like putting fear on little children as to why birthday's should not be celebrated. Caleb's dad explains why Jehovah doesn't like the celebration of birthday's. Caleb will now be indoctrinated not to attend birthday parties and not touch birthday cake and cupcakes.
the watchtower—study edition | september 2023. study article 39. let mildness be your strength.
11 if a workmate asks, for example, why we do not celebrate birthdays, consider: could he be wondering whether we are allowed to have a good time?
or might he feel that our position will dampen the company’s team spirit?
The Watchtower—Study Edition | September 2023
STUDY ARTICLE 39
11 If a workmate asks, for example, why we do not celebrate birthdays, consider: Could he be wondering whether we are allowed to have a good time? Or might he feel that our position will dampen the company’s team spirit? We may be able to ease our workmate’s concerns by expressing how much we appreciate his interest in fellow workers and assuring him that we want to enjoy a pleasant environment at work. That might open the way to a relaxed conversation about what the Bible indicates regarding the subject of birthdays.
We can better respond if we first consider that there may be reasons why an invitation to a birthday party is being offered (See paragraphs 11-12)
Look at the eyes of sister ( I'm a Jehovah's Witness and you definitely know that I don't celebrate birthday's).
The cake looks delicious but she will continue to work and dampen the company's team spirit. Later, she will have a relaxed conversation about what the Bible indicates regarding the subject of birthday's.
Jehovah’s Witnesses do not celebrate birthdays because we believe that such celebrations displease God. Although the Bible does not explicitly forbid celebrating birthdays, it does help us to reason on key features of these events and understand God’s view of them.
Birthday celebrations have pagan roots.
The early Christians did not celebrate birthdays.
The only commemoration that Christians are required to keep involves, not a birth, but a death—that of Jesus.
The Bible never refers to a servant of God celebrating a birthday.
Jehovah's Witnesses do not celebrate pagan birthday's, but have no problem celebrating wedding anniversaries, baby showers and bridal showers. Why don't these displease God? The Bible never mentions these events!
kingdom ministry 9/96 pp.
3-6. preach the good news everywhere.
2 jehovah’s zealous servants of today have the same objective—to reach everyone possible with the kingdom good news.
2 Jehovah’s zealous servants of today have the same objective—to reach everyone possible with the Kingdom good news. What can help us to accomplish this goal? More and more people are working full-time and are often not at home when we call. When they are not working, they may be traveling, shopping, or pursuing some form of recreation. How are deserving ones among them being reached with the Kingdom message?—Matt. 10:11.
3 Some are being contacted at their place of employment. Even small towns have a business section where many people spend most of the day. In large cities, people working in industrial parks or high-rise office buildings and those living in high-security apartments are receiving a witness—many for the first time. On weekends, some who have been contacted while relaxing at parks, recreation sites, campgrounds, or in cottages or while waiting in parking lots or in shopping malls have been found to be favorably disposed to the good news.
I remember when elders pushed grocery store ''field service'' after this Kingdom Ministry article. Stand near a grocery store entrance and/or parking lot and preach the Kingdom ''good news'' and try to place literature.
My brother ( who is an elder) was scolded one time while visiting Niagara Falls in Canada. The congregation elders decided to pass out ''literature'' while visitors were walking and enjoying the beautiful Falls. A man ( who was handed a ''tract'' ) scolded my brother, '' It's bad enough you come to my door, but I now you even bother me on vacation.''
Since I found this preaching method ''harassment,'' I never participated. Did you ever preach at a store, park, office building, campground, vacation spot?
https://youtu.be/xcgyp-h60xk?si=tvojbxouldf9jxwp.
governing body member samuel herd gives a symposium talk: love for jehovah in modern times at the 2023 annual meeting of jehovah's witnesses.
at the 11 minute mark of the symposium, we meet (100 year old) brother david buettell and his ( 98 year old wife) phylis.
https://youtu.be/XcGYp-H60Xk?si=tvOjbXouLdf9JXWp
Governing Body member Samuel Herd gives a Symposium Talk: Love For Jehovah in Modern Times at the 2023 Annual Meeting of Jehovah's Witnesses.
At the 11 minute mark of the Symposium, we meet (100 year old) brother David Buettell and his ( 98 year old wife) Phylis. They started Special Pioneering in 1961. They worked part time and went out in ''field service'' 5 hours a day, everyday.
How does the Watchtower Society show their appreciation for the Buettell's 62 years of ''faithful service''? Do they receive free medical care, free housing, a time share in Hawaii?
Here is Samuel Herd's gift to the Buettell's:'' What a good start on living forever.''
the watchtower—study edition | december 2023. study article 52. young sisters—become mature christian women.
18 you may choose to get married.
the qualities and skills that we have discussed will help you to become a capable wife.
jhine
This gave me a good insight into gender roles in the Org.
I noticed in this Watchtower article ( written by the mIsogynist Watchtower Society) on how husbands use headship over their wives. The article uses the word ''correction.'' The husband ''corrects'' his wife just like a dog owner ''corrects'' his new puppy. Here is one definition of the word, CORRECTION:
a rebuke for making a mistake
The Watchtower—Study Edition | February 15, 2007
18 Jesus had just stated the divine will—namely, that he would suffer many things and be killed. (Psalm 16:10; Isaiah 53:12) So Peter was wrong to begin rebuking Jesus. Yes, Peter needed firm correction, as we all do at times. As the family head, the husband has the authority and responsibility to correct family members, including his wife. While firmness may be needed, this correction should be given in a kind, loving manner. So just as Jesus helped Peter to put matters in proper perspective, husbands at times may need to do the same for their wives. For example, a husband may need to point out in a kind manner why some adjustment is needed if her dress or use of jewelry or cosmetics begins to stray from the modest pattern recommended in the Scriptures.—1 Peter 3:3-5.
the watchtower—study edition | december 2023. study article 52. young sisters—become mature christian women.
18 you may choose to get married.
the qualities and skills that we have discussed will help you to become a capable wife.
The Watchtower—Study Edition | December 2023
STUDY ARTICLE 52
18 You may choose to get married. The qualities and skills that we have discussed will help you to become a capable wife. Of course, if you are considering marriage, you should choose your mate very carefully. It is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Remember, you will come under the headship of the man you marry. (Rom. 7:2; Eph. 5:23, 33) So ask yourself: ‘Is he a mature Christian? Is he putting spiritual interests first in his life? Does he make wise decisions? Can he admit his mistakes? Does he respect women? Does he have the skills needed to support me spiritually, materially, and emotionally? Does he handle responsibility well? For example, what congregation assignments does he have and how does he handle them?’ (Luke 16:10; 1 Tim. 5:8) Of course, if you want to find a good prospective husband, you will need to be a good prospective wife.
This photo illustration shows a capable sister, eyeing a prospective husband after a Congregation meeting. The brother is clean cut, takes responsibility for his congregation cleaning assignment and mature ( age wise) to marry.
What more is asked from this brother to be marriage material?
His spirituality, his everyday responsibilities, his employment, his congregation assignments( elder, ministerial servant) in his the Kingdom Hall, and wise ( at home, work and congregation) decision making.
After 40 years of attending Kingdom Hall meetings, I witnessed many divorces inside my congregation and surrounding congregations. Too many teen marriages, too many sisters and brothers who dated for less than a year ( who married their first crush) who later divorced, spiritual brothers and sisters ( who would commit adultery) divorce each other after a few years of marriage and remarry , spiritual brothers ( who refused to pay child support ) having their ex-wives move back to their parents homes for financial support, and spiritual brothers who lived lives of debauchery after leaving their wives and congregation.
The Watchtower Society make it look like only a baptized, dedicated Jehovah's Witness marriage is utopia. It never was/will be.
an elder with half a brain (and they must exist 🧐) is going to see the writing on the wall with the way the wt is manoeuvring them into taking the fall over csa cases.
can an elder in good standing step down with no consequences, official or social?.
