They clearly sensationalised their writings especially in regards to prophecy. The proverbial carrot on a stick approach to their writings has clearly worked well for decades......until the age of the internet of course!!
UnshackleTheChains
JoinedPosts by UnshackleTheChains
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83
True or False did the Watchtower Corporation create false doctrines intentionally to enhance the proliferation of their own publications ?
by Finkelstein inmuch as been revealed over the years to the date setting doctrines made by the wts.
such as ( 1874, 1914, 1925 , 1975 this generation, the last days, the end times etc.... which were not created by other christian based faiths.. as to critically examine why might reveal a hidden agenda to all these date setting proclamations.. the point in question is did the wts and its leaders intentionally manipulate or exploit the preaching of the gospel to enhance the proliferation of their own printed publications ?.
i would say convincingly yes, no question.
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27
Can all 7 members of the Governing Body ride in this elevator at the same time?
by Alfred inin case the picture didn't load.... i'm referring to an elevator with a (quite common) weight capacity of 1,500 lbs.. would the 7 members of the governing body exceed this weight limit??
david splane: 195 pounds.
stephen lett: 205 pounds.
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25
Can you be disfellowshiped for reading other religious materials?
by paradisebeauty ini am having a conversation with a jw and they say you can not be disfellowshiped for this.
is this true?
i thought you can be disfellowshiped for this.
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UnshackleTheChains
It seems to be when an individual promotes what they are reading. If you were going round other JW's promoting some other Christian interpretation and were quite adamant, you will quickly draw the attention of the elders.
Knowing their policies inside out. For example, I told my Mrs that I could guarantee her that I would be spoken to if I grew a beard. This I did. Within 3 weeks the cobe pulled me to the back of the hall and had a chat with me as to why it was important to follow the example of the brothers on the platform at assemblies when it came to grooming.
Another time an elder approached me asking if my niece (who was staying with us at the time) was getting serious with an unbaptised brother as the boe were a little concerned. There antennas are always on when it comes to their policies and rules.
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In what decade was it clearly apparent that Watchtower was a high control religion?
by UnshackleTheChains ini'm just curious to get people's views on this.. the bible students seem to start of as quite a liberal group under charles taze russell, albeit he had some whacky teachings going on.
obviously things began to change under rutherford.
but what decade did it become abundantly clear that the society was indeed high control religion or even labeled a cult?.
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UnshackleTheChains
Londo111
I'm intrigued. Why 1952?
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In what decade was it clearly apparent that Watchtower was a high control religion?
by UnshackleTheChains ini'm just curious to get people's views on this.. the bible students seem to start of as quite a liberal group under charles taze russell, albeit he had some whacky teachings going on.
obviously things began to change under rutherford.
but what decade did it become abundantly clear that the society was indeed high control religion or even labeled a cult?.
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UnshackleTheChains
I would say when they started disfellowshipping people, which I believe was the 1950's. I joined in 1969, they were a cult then, imo. Prior to that they may have had wacky beliefs, but people wouldn't necessarily loose their family if they chose to leave or simply choose not to buy into everything
Lisa rose
Yes, this was a big step towards tighter control when the disfellowshipping policy first came into effect....though I believe it was similiar to a degree with the Catholic excommunication policy whereby an individual might be frowned upon, but not shunned.
Perhaps the earliest signs that this was to become a high control autocratic organization occurred when Rutherford succeeded Russell. There was a huge falling away of Bible Students (as JWs we’re then known) who rejected Rutherford’s heavy handed attempts to control the brothers and sisters at the “company” level (as congregations were then known). And the lunacy of the 1920s hadn’t even fully materialised yet (e.g., the sloganeering and false predictions about “millions now living will never die” for starters).
All that happened after that miserably misleading decade were continuations and fine tuning of seizing control of brothers and sisters lives and minds until decades later it perfected that control, reframing it as a “loving” provision of Jehovah, the clean God. The Pharisees would be proud
Steve2
I think in a nut shell you put it really well. Things started to really change during the Rutherford era.
Also
No-zombie - makes a good point about the reviewed disfellowshipping policy of the early 80's. This I believe is the point when Watchtower firmly placed themselves in the spotlight as a high control religion, especially after the purge at Bethel that involved Ray Franz.
Thanks to everyone's input.
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In what decade was it clearly apparent that Watchtower was a high control religion?
by UnshackleTheChains ini'm just curious to get people's views on this.. the bible students seem to start of as quite a liberal group under charles taze russell, albeit he had some whacky teachings going on.
obviously things began to change under rutherford.
but what decade did it become abundantly clear that the society was indeed high control religion or even labeled a cult?.
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UnshackleTheChains
I'm just curious to get people's views on this.
The bible students seem to start of as quite a liberal group under Charles Taze Russell, albeit he had some whacky teachings going on. Obviously things began to change under Rutherford.
But what decade did it become abundantly clear that the society was indeed high control religion or even labeled a cult?
I know that when I first heard of the JWs in the early 80's, I was told they were a cult by some friends, which seemed a common view.
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110
Exjw activists protesting inside a Kingdom Hall today!
by Crazyguy inspoonfed nomore, has uploaded a video on his youtube site, of exjw activists protesting inside a kingdom hall during this sunday meeting.
several people speak out.
if some one can put a link on here that would be awesome, i can’t figure out how to do it with an i phone.
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UnshackleTheChains
Personally. Though I understand the frustration involved given the individual experiences, think the polish ex JW activism is quite effective and dignified. From what I've seen of Rick ferrons activism, he is quite similiar. Can learn something from this when organising protest for future.
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110
Exjw activists protesting inside a Kingdom Hall today!
by Crazyguy inspoonfed nomore, has uploaded a video on his youtube site, of exjw activists protesting inside a kingdom hall during this sunday meeting.
several people speak out.
if some one can put a link on here that would be awesome, i can’t figure out how to do it with an i phone.
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UnshackleTheChains
Watchtower reminds me of the proverbial juggernaut. A very powerful force/organisation that tramples over people's lives.
Sheer frustration has moved these people to do something. They have been deeply affected by Watchtower in various ways.
Sheer frustration at the fact that Watchtower refuses to listen to the cries of those who have been hurt in some way because of their policies/teachings.
Sheer frustration that the leadership hide away in their ivory tower like kings, as if nothing is wrong; and/or stonewalling anyone who questions their policies/ teachings.
Sheer frustration that little is being done by Watchtower to remove their harmful policies, and they simply continue to carry on business as usual. That's what you call arrogance (Not Discretion).
Sometimes and yes sadly, you have got to shout to be heard. Right or wrong, these videos will reverberate around the world. Watchtower needs to start listening, otherwise such protests just 'might' become a regular thing, a thorn in the side.
So how do you make it all go away.
Simple.
All the leadership at Watchtower have to do is budge their finger! Luke 11:46
Listen to the pleas and cries of people.. Watchtower.
Humble yourselves and prove yourselves to be TRUE Christians. Rid yourself of that arrogant, lofty, 'masters over all' attitude!
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110
Exjw activists protesting inside a Kingdom Hall today!
by Crazyguy inspoonfed nomore, has uploaded a video on his youtube site, of exjw activists protesting inside a kingdom hall during this sunday meeting.
several people speak out.
if some one can put a link on here that would be awesome, i can’t figure out how to do it with an i phone.
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UnshackleTheChains
I think protesting in a respectful quiet manner like the recent polish activism videos shown on this forum are more dignified. People are naturally curious and will want to know WHY individuals are going out of their way to protest.
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Meetings are boring
by Akid48 inmeetings are boring for young kids and old but i'm going to focus on young kids 5 or 8.. i think is unfair that young kids get punished for falling asleep or zoning out.. as meetings are not as boring but i have to go to school the next day and staying up till 10pm isn't the best i can't get out of going.. but think of the young kids that dont even understand most of the teachings.. i know most on the site are adults but i heard of adults falling asleep..
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