i've been thinking about the recent developments in the uk following the "apostates = mentally diseased" article in the july 15th edition of the watchtower.
to provide a bit more background, a forum member named amelia has recently had a meeting with uk police officers who subsequently took a copy of the article for their records.
they agreed that the content could potentially incite people to hatred against disaffected witnesses, and the copy is now on file with the uk police in case there are any future incidents of hateful acts against "apostates", including violence or even stalking.. i am working on a press release to make the public more aware of the idealogical oppression being meted out by the society on those who oppose them, both inside and outside the organization.
Thanks Alfred!
Good question tip. Unfortunately I only get 9 questions before I need to get a paid account on surveymonkey. If the initial survey is a success, we can always look at doing a more expanded survey in the future with similar questions to yours? Appreciate the support though. It will be interesting to see how many fill it in...
i've been thinking about the recent developments in the uk following the "apostates = mentally diseased" article in the july 15th edition of the watchtower.
to provide a bit more background, a forum member named amelia has recently had a meeting with uk police officers who subsequently took a copy of the article for their records.
they agreed that the content could potentially incite people to hatred against disaffected witnesses, and the copy is now on file with the uk police in case there are any future incidents of hateful acts against "apostates", including violence or even stalking.. i am working on a press release to make the public more aware of the idealogical oppression being meted out by the society on those who oppose them, both inside and outside the organization.
Right, I've designed a survey using surveymonkey. What do you think to these questions folks? (please note, the first two questions are compulsory, the remaining ones are optional)
Thoughts please...
| City/Town: | |
| State/Province: | |
| Country: |
 I am an active Jehovah's Witness (I go on the ministry every month) I am an inactive Jehovah's Witness (I no longer go on the ministry every month) I was disfellowshipped from Jehovah's Witnesses I disassociated myself from Jehovah's Witnesses I have friends/family who are Jehovah's Witnesses (I was never baptized as one) |
| of the anointed (Little Flock, heavenly hope) of the great crowd (Other Sheep, earthly hope) neither of the above |
| I broke a bible command I disagreed with the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses I would rather not say |
| Ministerial Servant Elder Circuit Overseer District Overseer Branch Committee member Gilead Graduate / missionary MTS (or BSSB) Graduate Bethel volunteer Regular Pioneer Special Pioneer None of the above |
| Witnesses who leave are to be shunned by family members if they are old enough to leave home Blood transfusions are to be refused, even if life is at stake Paedophilia is a judicial matter more than a crime Paedophiles are not automatically disqualified from serving as elders in the future Understanding of bible prophecy (i.e. most prophecies for the 'last days' fulfilled in early 20th Century) The Governing Body is God's sole channel of communication The Governing Body does not need to have any contact with the anointed remnant The concept of "increasing light" Young people are not to pursue higher education Young people should not be involved in extra-curricular sports Only the anointed should partake of memorial emblems The treatment of women in the organization Masturbation is wrong Celebrating birthdays is wrong Apostates are "mentally diseased" (w11 7/15 p16) The insistence on 607 BCE for the fall of Jerusalem, contrary to commonly-accepted historical evidence Jesus Christ is only a mediator for the 144,000, and not for the Great Crowd Refusal to accept aspects of evolutionary theory Others that are not mentioned above None, I agree with all teachings |
| Yes No |
i liked the greatest man book.
i thought it was very informative and unbiased.
a good summary of the gospels.. .
talesin - glad I wasn't the only one. The Daniel Book made me aware (or at least suspicious) of the Governing Body's habit of "shoe-horning".
i.e. "Here's a bible prophecy, and here's a date that we feel is significant... now all we need to do is link the two together!"
shamus - you're right, I don't like thinking of all the awful subjects that were forced on the meeting agenda as a result of that horrid little book. I wonder whether they'll try discussing it again at meetings in the future? Sincerely hope not. Like you said, having strangers discuss those subjects infront of your kids is weird to say the least.
i liked the greatest man book.
i thought it was very informative and unbiased.
a good summary of the gospels.. .
I knew that Jehovah was a loving God, but all this book [God's Love] taught me was about HATRED and how VILE and FILTHY we are in Jehovahs eyes. My dad HATED this book too. For me... its the WORST book they ever produced. GROSSSSSSSSSS!!!
I agree, I remember a few parents commenting at how inappropriate it seemed to be endlessly discussing subjects like porn and masturbation infront of the kids on a Thursday evening. I'm not surprised that this book helped you awaken, it's truly shocking.
long story short, i have been a jw for the pst 7 years.
i am married with 2 kids.
hubby is a die hard jw who is an ms and would like to be elder.
angel.face - I just wanted to give you a huge welcome. I know it will have taken a lot of bravery for you to even come this far, and I just want to welcome you and let you know that we are all very proud of you (I'm sure I can speak for everyone in saying that).
I don't have much experience with Steve Hassan's book, and leavingwt seems to the the authority on this forum. He would be well worth a PM.
All I can say is be EXTREMELY patient, cautious and conciliatory with your husband if you want to avoid being disfellowshipped. I came close to being the subject of a judicial committee myself (I won't say now how I got out of it), and I soon resolved that it is better to resort to deception than risk being cut off from your family just for the sake of making some kind of 'statement' (not that it came to that, fortunately). If you have seen how bad it is, you will realise now that your elders were NOT appointed by holy spirit, so it's pointless indulging their whims. The Society are constantly changing their procedures and protocols, but once you are disfellowshipped, you remain disfellowshipped forever unless you resubmit yourself to their control. An elder who disfellowships you might even be removed, and the rule by which you were disfellowshipped changed, but you would still remain disfellowshipped and cut off from your loved ones. Is it really worth losing your family for the sake of divulging information that they are not truly entitled to?
It's a horrible situation to be in. I am very fortunate in that my wife was very sympathetic to my doubts almost instantly, although I know it's not the same for everyone. Try not to take their doubts and convictions too personally. They are just reacting in the way they believe to be right. If you play this correctly, you will have time on your side, and miracles can be achieved given enough time.
PS - I assume if you have already read Steve Hassan that you have read Crisis of Conscience? I can point you in the direction of reading it for free online if you haven't.
why do you think the service group members list isn't posted on the kingdom hall announcement board anymore?
oppostate - I think you'll need to be a bit more specific with your question. If by "Service Group" you mean "Service Committee", it is at each congregation's discretion as to whether they post the names of the Coordinator, Secretary and Service Overseer on the congregation notice board. I'm not aware of any recent Society instructions being issued to the contrary.
i liked the greatest man book.
i thought it was very informative and unbiased.
a good summary of the gospels.. .
I'm a little sceptical these days about the whole concept of "annual releases". It seems to me that the focus is on delivering some form of publication at each convention, year after year, irrespective of whether any publication is actually needed or relevant. It's almost like the Society has set its own benchmark in years gone by of delivering some kind of book every year without fail, and the whole focus of the Writing Department now seems to be oriented towards keeping up with this self-imposed benchmark.
When you think of all the books that were greeted with wild enthusiasm on their release at conventions in years gone by, only to be replaced or superceded a decade or so later, you begin to view the whole concept of "new releases" with more than a bit of scepticism. Are they genuinely interested in "feeding God's household their food at the proper time" or are they simply target-driven, obsessed by living up to a self-imposed legacy of endless literature releases?
It reminds one of a dog chasing its tail...
as some of you may know, i am working with trailerfitter and cantleave in helping amelia with her efforts to complain about the latest "apostates are mentally diseased" article.
she has an appointment with local police tomorrow afternoon, as she has lodged a complaint under the 'hate crimes' act.
it has been suggested that this issue may merit some media coverage, and with this in mind i have prepared a draft press release.
Hello Franklin Massey - thanks for your observations. Obviously the 9/11 reference was only made because of the date that the article was discussed at most meetings around the world, and it seemed impossible to give the date without some nod towards its wider significance. I have therefore toned down the 9/11 reference, but I understand your desire to see it removed altogether, along with the reference to the Arab Spring.
I'm not yet at a stage where I can send it anyway, because I want to receive some interest from a newspaper or news channel before sending it. I will revisit the wording when the time comes with your comments in mind.
as some of you may know, i am working with trailerfitter and cantleave in helping amelia with her efforts to complain about the latest "apostates are mentally diseased" article.
she has an appointment with local police tomorrow afternoon, as she has lodged a complaint under the 'hate crimes' act.
it has been suggested that this issue may merit some media coverage, and with this in mind i have prepared a draft press release.
Thanks Pams girl. I contacted 8 UK newspapers and 4 news channels by email last night with the gist of the story.
I'll post on here if I hear anything back.
Individually, no. They are real people who genuinely believe that their religion is the true one. The Society that leads them, however, is entirely superficial in that it is not what it claims to be, i.e. God's channel of communication.
