Could a petition to make shunning illegal work?

by aboveusonlysky in

jw
friends

we're currently watching leah remini's series about scientology and the main thing she seems to focus on is the shunning policies of the scientology organization which let's face it are very similar to jw procedure.. i was wondering with all that's in the media recently about bullying could a petition be put together to get the goverment to consider making religiously mandated shunning illegal?

has such a thing been tried before?.

https://petition.parliament.uk/help says the following - .

UnshackleTheChains

Also as a reminder most constitutions only bar the state from encroaching into a person's constitutionally protected rights, there is very little that stops a private individual or institution from doing that unless otherwise prescribed by law. That is why the KKK and other hate groups still operate in free countries like the USA. You can spout out hate speech all you want you can't induce a person to assault or kill someone but you can preach hate. Even in France one of the major candidates for President is accused as being a hate monger.

Yep that may be true Richard Oliver.. Yet, though they have the freedom of speech, how do most people view the KKK? How do most people view scientologists? What comes to the average person's mind when they think of Jehovah's Witnesses?

The biggest detriment any organisation can have on individuals is when 'their' name causes alarm bells to ring in a person's minds.

A name means a lot to people. Any organisations name that conjures up thoughts or feelings such as 'extremist', 'high control', 'cult' is far far more damaging than any legal processes.

Such thoughts create barrier's in people's minds and therefore can act as a barrier in preventing individuals getting involved in such organisations.

The Watchtower Society do a fantastic job of portraying themselves as a very extreme high control religious group.

So I take my hat of to the GB who portray the organisation in this manner. The result....People are less likely and 'wary' of getting involved.

Keep up the good work Mark, Geoff, Garret, Stevie, Sam, Tight pants Tony iii; and the overlapping generation's presenter guy (re jw broadcasting) 😋.

Btw.....Thanks to aboveusonlysky for asking this really important question.

To be honest.....Any pressure put on the WTB&TS to bring about change/reform has my blessing.

5

Has anyone done a point by point refutation of Fritz Springmeier's The Watchtower and the Masons: A Preliminary Investigation?

by ILoveTTATT2 in

jw
friends

is there a point by point refutation of that book?it's the source of all of the "russell was a mason" conspiracy.

i started reading the book and i noticed some pretty obvious holes in the argument... for example, he writes that the pyramid-shaped monument is "proof" and we all know it isn't.here is the book if you want to check it out.https://archive.org/details/fritzspringmeierthewatchtowerandthemasons1990_201603.

UnshackleTheChains

I always remember the hypocrisy of one particular elder in an old hall many many years ago. I won't go into all his misdeeds, but there were many.

This guy was a complete control freak. If things weren't done right the way he wanted them, he would let you know about it. Anything questionable was always pointed out by him. It used to grind everyone's gears.

One big wtf moment came when he hired a Masonic hall to hold a party. Witnesses from a number of various Congregations attended without an eyebrow being raised. I have nothing against the Freemasons. But at the time I was thinking we are giving money to this highly secretive organisation with all its controversies. I remember how it deeply stumbled me at the time when I was a JW that didn't want my conscience affected in Jehovah's eyes.

It makes me laugh how self righteous some elders are when it suits them.

53

Next weeks Watchtower. ' Who is leading God's people today'

by UnshackleTheChains in

next weeks watchtower.

'who is leading god's people today' is quite incredible.

i am so looking forward to blondie's comments on this one.

UnshackleTheChains

16. What is one way to remember the Governing Body?
16. Read Hebrews 13:7. The word rendered “remember” can also be translated “mention.” Therefore, one way you can “remember those who are taking the lead” is by mentioning the Governing Body in your prayers. (Eph. 6:18) Reflect on their responsibility to supply spiritual food, to oversee the global preaching work, and to manage donated funds. Surely they need our persistent petitions in their behalf!

So. We are to mention the head of a publishing corporation specifically in our prayers ie the 'Governing Body'. This unique name that manifested itself in the 1940's; despite the fact that this term is used generally by various corporations and organisations world wide

Definition of governing body in English:

governing body

NOUN

A group of people who formulate the policy and direct the affairs of an institution in partnership with the managers, especially on a voluntary or part-time basis.
‘the school's governing body’

Heb 13:7 says we are to remember those taking the lead among us and Consider the outcome of their behaviour and to imitate their faith

Well, we do remember eg Geoffrey Jackson's performance at the Australian Royal Commissions hearing. That was memorable!!

We also remember their behaviour. At first glance, they look like really nice caring men on JW broadcasting; but as this site and many others have shown, the Governing Body have total disregard for members who have been emotionally and physically hurt because of the policies 'they' are happy to keep in place regardless. This, despite the many many outcries of thousands of individuals pleading for change to some of these hurtful policies. The 'leaders' show no mercy. That is their behaviour towards the flock.

Eph 6:18 says to offer supplication for the holy ones.

Clearly a prayer in general for ALL Christians.

Yet the rank and file are being spoon fed the idea that the holy ones are specifically the seven men in upstate New York called uniquely 'the Governing Body' (the leadership of a very large publishing corporation which originally was not to be viewed as a religion, but simply a business as stated by Charles Taze Russell)

If the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses want to earn true respect as leaders, they need to make some very big changes and put an end to the misery and pain suffered because of their policies. Jesus condemned the Pharisees for their many unnesessary rules that were a burden on the people.

Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses-

Your many rules are burdensome to your members. Have the mind of Christ and put an end to ALL 'your' unnesessary rules.

Show mercy, Show kindness, Show humility, Show love

53

Next weeks Watchtower. ' Who is leading God's people today'

by UnshackleTheChains in

next weeks watchtower.

'who is leading god's people today' is quite incredible.

i am so looking forward to blondie's comments on this one.

UnshackleTheChains

I think even the most dug in witness will say in their mind....so If the GB isn't running things then who is?

Paragraphs 10 and 11 grabbed my attention. Sounds like the GB are distancing themselves from a legal aspect. I wonder why? 🤔

53

Next weeks Watchtower. ' Who is leading God's people today'

by UnshackleTheChains in

next weeks watchtower.

'who is leading god's people today' is quite incredible.

i am so looking forward to blondie's comments on this one.

UnshackleTheChains

Next weeks Watchtower. 'Who is leading God's people today' is quite incredible.

I am so looking forward to Blondie's comments on this one.

This Watchtower study needs to be dissected paragraph by paragraph.

34

Are there 'ultra strict' congregations?

by jambon1 in

jw
friends

when i studied as a young adult, it was in one of those congregations.

having viewed the religion as a quaint little band of christians it conpletely dumbfounded me when i was told about such rules as 1 - no beards.

2 - you must wear a suit to meetings and while giving a talk.

UnshackleTheChains

Also, they had a white shirt in the cloak room for any visiting elders who showed up to give a public talk wearing a coloured shirt.

Wow Jambon. Sounds like some of the elders in your hall walked about like this dude

https://youtu.be/JcinjYhoPj8

51

Bearded students on Ministry school?

by NikL in

jw
friends

so at last nights ministry school we had 2...yes that's right two that had parts and gave them with beards.. i found it interesting.

i thought the consensus was that you couldn't have any extra privileges if you wore one.. maybe the school is different?.

anyway, anybody else seen this in the u.s.?.

UnshackleTheChains

I wonder what Jesus would do with the elders hand book 🤔

12

exJW from Galway, Ireland

by Band Completely in

i've been reading many articles on here and other forums relating to exjws for some time.

when my mother first got involved with the witnesses back in '77, my mother's mother and my father's mother, being the "good catholics that they were", gave my father "license" to do "whatever it takes" to stop her associating with these people.. due to "confirmation bias", (i.e.

"satan will do whatever he can to stop you associating with us"), this "persecution" only convinced her that the witnesses had "the truth".

UnshackleTheChains

Harmful Doctrine
Shunning is not biblical. Shunning is an act of isolation. Isolation is a form of torture. Torture is in contravention to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. There is no scripture in the bible that says to socially isolate anyone. There are scriptures in the bible that say not to greet someone who is not following the teachings of "Christ" (2 John 9, 10) but Jehovah's Witnesses will use this one to justify isolating family and friends. It's wrong and it's extremely harmful.
Such doctrine has been recognized by the Russian Federation as extremist. It is one of the reasons Jehovah's Witnesses are banned

Hi band completely,

I felt your pain and anger in every word you typed throughout your experience. Thanks btw and welcome.

The shunning policy is cruel and yes JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES do break up families. Your experience is proof of that.

You learned the hard way that the local congregation aren't the ones at fault. It is the whole damned set up put in place by the headquarters of the organisation. Years of manmade pharisaical rules that have caused you, me and thousands of others so much pain and sorrow. These men at the head of this high control money grabbing publishing corporation will not listen. They do not care. I do not consider them Christian. They are wolves in sheep's clothing who happily sit back and allow the pain and hurt many of us feel to continue.

They know the issues, they've known for years, so many out cries, hey nothing. Their arrogance and obstinate attitude even in the face of hearings such as the ARC are mind blowing. They don't care, their hearts are made of wood.

Again great post. All the best to you.

UTC

12

Are their " wishy, washy" congregations...

by The Rebel in

jw
friends

it may be an amazing thought for many but i am sure " wishy, washy" congregations exist.

i am referring to congregations where the elders are idle in enforcing the g.bs guidelines on control.. i mean let's face it the organisation is an authoritarian regime, that works only if the elders enforce complete obedience to watchtower policies.

sadly in the congregations i was associated with the elders excelled at enforcing loyalty and obedience.. however with age, people mellow, elders can become more compassionate, even assume the voice of reason?

UnshackleTheChains

I was part of a very small Cong in another country. It was quite wishy washy I suppose. The elders were totally normal. Some in the Cong were very eccentric. The ministry was a not forced on you. There wasnt much going on socially and the isolation 're bad association' eventually led to a period of depression. The low point of my life.

I was young and new to the religion and only finding my feet. I had no idea about the shunning practice/policy that breaks up families. Just thought it was a quaint benign little religious group back then. Like so many, I didn't realise I was allowing myself to be shackled and chained to a powerful controlling publishing corporation 🙄

15

Russia banning JWs might not have the "persecution effect" this time

by truthseeker in

jw
friends

russia banning the organization might not have the same effect as the earlier ban did decades ago.. more and more people have access to the internet.

it only takes a few russian jws to start their google search for the first time to discover the truth about their religion.. questions might arise, such as "why is jehovah allowing this to happen?

consider too, the schism that happened when the romanian jws were cut off from brooklyn.

UnshackleTheChains

More and more people have access to the internet. It only takes a few Russian JWs to start their Google search for the first time to discover the truth about their religion.
Questions might arise, such as "why is Jehovah allowing this to happen?"
Consider too, the schism that happened when the Romanian JWs were cut off from Brooklyn. They ended up apostasizing.

Great points truthseeker

Personally, I genuinely feel sorry for the rank and file witnesses in Russia. They will now have to practice their faith in secret due to these repressive measures.

In saying that however, as can be seen from the experiences given at the supreme court, clearly some ex members obviously felt so strongly about the organisations unfair, controlling and in some cases - cruel policies, that they have come forward in favour of the ban.

These people have been so hurt and traumatized by the organisations policies that they willing to go to the supreme court of the land to testify. That in itself speaks volumes.

It's a sad state of affairs all round imho

However, the good that might come of this ban is that the GB leadership will be cut off from the Russian witnesses.

The Russian JW's will likely have no other choice but to reform and adapt as a religion within the perimeters of Russian law. This in turn will give each congregation more autonomy. A great opportunity to unshackle the chains from the watchtower society!

The GB will have no influence with their dictatorial rule.

Though it is unfortunate that Russian law will be strict on preaching publicly, there is the opportunity to get rid of many of the extreme man made rules that have caused so much harm.

I truly wish all my fellow Christians in Russia peace and liberty in Christ without fear from men.

UnshackleTheChains

Posts by UnshackleTheChains

Definition of governing body in English:

governing body

NOUN