due to unforeseen circumstances, i need to say goodbye.
proverbs 14:16 nlt.
i have every faith that the governing body of jehovah's witnesses will bring about needed change very soon given the continuous pressure they face.
Hi all,
Due to unforeseen circumstances, I need to say goodbye. Proverbs 14:16 NLT
I have every faith that the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses will bring about needed change very soon given the continuous pressure they face.
Justice will prevail! Amos 5:24 NKJV
jm............................ watchtower .
the ridgeway.
london.
Jm...........................
Watchtower
The Ridgeway
London
NW7 1RN
ENGLAND
19 August 2016
Dear Brothers,
I felt the need to highlight something that needs to be addressed immediately! Given the more recent emphasis on how we are to treat those who are disfellowshipped or disassociated, I decided to read over the Watchtower article of February 2015 entitled ‘Do You Hate Lawlessness? The article emphasises that we are to shun such ones outright and backs this up by using your interpretation of scripture.
Though I find the organisations policy on ‘disfellowshipping and ‘disassociation’ repugnant / extreme, and certainly wouldn’t shun my own relatives or friends who simply choose to resign from the organisation, I accept that you have a right to make up your own policies in accordance with freedom of religion here in the UK (article 9, European Convention of Human Rights).
However, though disassociation is mentioned in your literature, the subject of disfellowhipping and disassociation is never clearly explained to those who are newly studying with Jehovah’s Witnesses. This policy is not clearly explained in the current ‘Bible Teach’ book we use to study with interested ones. If a person is to become a baptised Jehovah’s Witness / a member of the Organisation, they should be fully informed of your shunning policy before deciding to make a commitment to get baptised.
One of the biggest hurdles I faced when studying with Jehovah’s Witnesses was the blood issue; but my study conductor fully explained the reasons why we are to avoid blood…which I reluctantly, at the time accepted! Why? Because it was brought out in the live forever book which I studied at the time. I was completely oblivious to your shunning policy which only really sunk in several years later. In today’s politically correct world; the charity commission’s investigations into some of the organisations policies – which includes shunning; and the organisations ongoing emphasis of shunning (which promotes the shunning of our own family members if required), individuals may soon possibly be well within their rights to highlight this issue and bring about a legal case to nullify their baptism if they wanted to. They could soon be in a position whereby they could walk into any lawyer, show them the book they first studied to become a witness, and highlight the fact that there was nothing mentioned around the shunning policy; that they had not been informed.
If this fear tactic (shunning policy) is very much part of our faith, then people have a right to know about it before getting baptised. This information should be fully explained in the Bible teach book or other books used in future when studying with interested ones we find in our ministry. I hope you find this feed back helpful.
Yours sincerely
Brother J M
the governing body.
service department of jehovah’s witnesses.
2821 route 22. patterson.
The Governing Body
Service department of Jehovah’s Witnesses
2821 Route 22
Patterson
New York
12563 8th Aug 2016
Dear Brothers,
In this letter, I would like to give you some positive and constructive feedback regarding one of your articles in Septembers Watchtower study edition entitled “Does Your Style of Dress Glorify God?”
Firstly, from what I have read, you appear to be inching in the right direction regarding freedom of choice when it comes to dress and grooming. I very much welcome this. I also wholeheartedly agree that it is important to ‘Do all things for God’s glory’ as the theme scripture mentions at 1 Cor. 10:31. We are worshippers of the true God and need to reflect that in every aspect of our lives. I agree with the scriptural references you highlighted to specifically explain why we need to dress ourselves appropriately as this also reflects on our God Jehovah.
I especially like the point where you mention that ‘he has permitted us to exercise our free will and make sensible personal decisions, which should be guided by sound Scriptural principles. Thus, even in our dress and grooming, we can show that we want to ‘walk in modesty with our God.’—Mic. 6:8. 19. It was also nice to read how a Dutch Newspaper made a very favorable comment about the way Jehovah’s Witnesses adorned themselves at one of the Conventions. To a point, this particular watchtower study will be a helpful reminder to all Christians about the importance of dress and grooming.
Dress
However, there were a few points you made that I would like to draw to your attention to, which you may find useful for future reference. You quoted 1Tim 2:9,10 which says “9 Likewise I desire the women to adorn themselves in well-arranged dress, with modesty and soundness of mind, not with styles of hair braiding and gold or pearls or very expensive garb, 10 but in the way that befits women professing to reverence God, namely, through good works.”
So clearly, we see here that women should be ‘modestly’ dressed.
Your Read scripture at Deuteronomy 22:5 says - “No garb of an able-bodied man should be put upon a woman, neither should an able-bodied man wear the mantle of a woman; for anybody doing these things is something detestable to Jehovah your God.
You then go on to explain that ‘From God’s stated direction about clothing, we clearly see that God is not pleased with styles of dress that feminize men, that make women look like men, or that make it hard to see the difference between men and women’
God’s word is clear on these matters. However, could I humbly point out an interesting fact which pertains to our day. The law in Deuteronomy was given to the Israelite's during their sojourn through the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt. At that time both men and women wore cloth skirts! This is what is mentioned on the following site
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_clothing
While a woman's garments mostly corresponded to those of men: they wore simlāh and kethōneth, they also evidently differed in some ways from those of men[1][5](see Deuteronomy 22:5). Women's garments were probably longer (compare Nahum 3:5, Jeremiah 13:22, Jeremiah 13:26, Isaiah 47:2), had sleeves (2Samuel 13:19), presumably were brighter colors and more ornamented, and also may have been of finer material.[1][5] Also worn by women was the sadin, the finer linen underdress (see Isaiah 3:23, Proverbs 22:24).[5]
So in biblical times, Israelite men and women generally wore a skirt of some sort; though women’s clothing was different from men’s as described above. Where am I going with this? Well, very often on my way to the kingdom Hall on a Sunday, I walk past very modestly dressed individuals on their way into their local church.
I have observed that the women attending often wear a mixture of dresses, skirts AND slacks. The women wearing slacks don’t look any less modestly dressed than those wearing skirts or dresses. All of them look very modest and smartly dressed. In today’s society, ‘in Western lands’ it is acceptable for women to wear trousers/slacks, skirts and dresses.
You then go on to say in the watchtower study that ‘We do not need detailed lists saying which styles of dress are acceptable and which are objectionable. Rather, we are guided by Scriptural principles that allow room for personal preferences’.
I am glad you highlighted the fact that we have personal preferences. Yet, though you don’t say it outright, I know for a fact that sisters are frowned upon for wearing slacks at the kingdom Hall, or even spoken to by some over zealous elders. The only exception to the rule is if they live in a very cold climate and have no other choice as mentioned in your correspondence guidelines on page 20 (which I downloaded quite easily on the internet via Google search). In all my years as a witness, I personally have never seen any sister wearing slacks at the Kingdom Hall. Obviously, I understand the view that some individuals can draw attention to themselves if wearing very tight clothing. I get that! But surely it should be the right of ALL women to choose whether she wishes to wear a dress, a skirt or modest pair of slacks if she so wishes. That’s just the women. I don’t even have to mention the fact that ALL brothers (particularly) in western lands have to wear suits. No choice there! So as things currently stand in regards to the way we dress, it is in reality wishful thinking that ‘We have the freedom to choose what to wear’ to our meetings.
Beards
You mention 1 Corinthians 10:32, 33 where it says 32 Keep from becoming causes for stumbling to Jews as well as Greeks and to the congregation of God, 33 even as I am pleasing all people in all things, not seeking my own advantage but that of the many, in order that they might get saved.
You state the following:
‘In some cultures, a neatly trimmed beard may be acceptable and respectable, and it may not detract at all from the Kingdom message. In fact, some appointed brothers have beards. Even so, some brothers might decide not to wear a beard. (1 Cor 8:9, 13; 10:32) In other cultures or localities, beards are not the custom and are not considered acceptable for Christian ministers. In fact, having one may hinder a brother from bringing glory to God by his dress and grooming and his being irreprehensible. —Rom. 15:1-3; 1 Tim. 3:2, 7. 16.
At first glance, it would appear you leave it to personal choice; but then you end the paragraph by saying that beards are not acceptable in some cultures or localities (I take it you mean Western lands). Elder zealot will interpret this as it is intended. As an exercise, let’s say, Bethel was based in the Middle East. The paragraph could so easily have been written this way.
‘In some cultures (western), being beardless may be acceptable and respectable, and it may not detract at all from the Kingdom message. In fact, some appointed brothers are beardless. Even so, some brothers might decide to wear a beard. (1 Cor. 8:9, 13; 10:32) In other cultures or localities (Middle East), being beardless is not the custom and is not considered acceptable for Christian ministers. In fact, being beardless may hinder a brother from bringing glory to God by his dress and grooming and his being irreprehensible. —Rom. 15:1-3; 1 Tim. 3:2, 7. 16.
As I am sure you are well aware, whether you agree or not, the organisation is continuously perceived as a high control religion. I have often read experiences where brothers (particularly those reaching out) are advised against growing a beard. In the UK, many men grow their beards. It’s perfectly acceptable in our society. Some men prefer to grow a beard, some don’t! It’s really a matter of personal choice and a non issue. Yet, I know for a fact that brothers are often called to the back of the hall, whereby an elder will ‘highlight’ the reasons why brothers within the organisation don’t tend to wear beards (I have experienced this personally), I am not talking about some 17 year old youth with a bit of fluff on his face. I am referring to men in their 30’s, 40’s and older who have simply grown a neat trim beard. The reasoning tends to be that it could stumble the brothers!! I can understand a brother being spoken too if he clearly had an unkempt beard or prone to swaggering about the hall in a pair of extra tight pants.
I have to ask you brothers, what ‘other’ Christian organisation, denomination or group do you find a grown man tell another grown man that he is not to grow a beard? Please tell me? Let’s suppose Jesus miraculously walked in to one of your meetings at Bethel, would you frown on him for wearing a beard! I think not! What is very sad about this is that most elders blindly follow such rules to the letter (as directed on page 20 of your branch correspondence guidelines - http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/beards-jehovahs-witnesses.php); Yet if these same elders were updated tomorrow in a letter written by the ‘Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania’ that the brothers now have permission to grow a beard if they so choose (similar to when the elders were informed that the use of tablets on the platform at Kingdom Halls was acceptable), they would switch their thinking on this ‘non issue’ right away.
Your many rules and policies continue to choke mine and others spirituality - and stumble many to the point of leaving the organisation. Such rules allow those opposed to Jehovah’s Witnesses to highlight that we are indeed a high control religion. This in turn stumbles many individuals who are curious about our beliefs, but then find we have all these incredible ‘man made rules’. This then puts people off looking any further. These ‘many’ rules are an unnecessary and unfortunate distraction, which clouds the wonderful message of the bible. To many, we are a restrictive, rule driven religion. That is how people perceive us! It begs the question…. why? When you know that this is how we are perceived, why do you continue to hang on to all these unnecessary man made rules and traditions of men?
Yes we should be modest in our dress and grooming. Yes our dress and grooming should not make people conclude anything other than that we are worshippers of Jehovah God. Yes Jehovah has high standards, and we happily strive to reflect those standards. But brothers, you need to jettison the unnecessary rules that go beyond what is written. Allow the brothers and Sisters the freedom to worship God without experiencing the feeling they are controlled and judged by others, especially the elders.
I very much hope you take on board my honest and candid feedback Brothers. It is time to let go of the past. You can and have done so when needed / required. For example, you no longer use ‘Masonic symbols’ which were often shown in your literature during the early years of the Watchtower Society; something of which Charles Taze Russell had an apparent interest in. So, that is why I thoroughly believe change is possible.
Thank you once again for reading my letter Brothers
Bro J M
Witness for Watchtower reform
Jm...............................
hi everyone, here is my latest letter.
does anyone know if there is a new correspondence address at warwick yet.
that video really moved me.
Thanks Baker for your A for effort. It wouldn't surprise me if some of Trumps blind followers are aware of some of Hillary's emails. I think it's more the case that Trump is fully aware of the laws on snooping and can only therefore resort to attacking Hillary Clinton in a limited way.
My hope is that the GB are aware of some of my letters and that lurking brothers with clout at Bethel read some of these letters on this forum. The society changes their teachings and policies all the time. My purpose is to give 'constructive' feedback to enable positive change and bring about freedom in Christ for all the brothers. To bring in a spirit of Christian freedom and love as opposed to a spirit of fear and guilt.
Regards
hi everyone, here is my latest letter.
does anyone know if there is a new correspondence address at warwick yet.
that video really moved me.
Hi everyone, here is my latest letter. Does anyone know if there is a new correspondence address at Warwick yet. If so can you let me know. For the time being I will continue to send my letters to Patterson as these will more than likely be redirected if they have moved yet.
The Governing Body
Service department of Jehovah’s Witnesses
2821 Route 22
Patterson
New York
12563
23/07/2016
Dear Brothers,
In this letter, I would like to give you some positive AND constructive feedback regarding this years convention entitled – ‘REMAIN LOYAL TO JEHOVAH’. I have to say I really enjoyed much of the convention, particularly some of the video dramas, which I found really faith strengthening. I thought the dramas were very slick, stylish and professionally made. I particularly enjoyed the Drama – “Hope for What We Do Not See”. That video really moved me. Judging by the people around me, it also moved many others too. I loved the graphics, particularly the scene where the ambulance was travelling along that incredible scenic mountain road in Peru. The scenes flowed seamlessly which made the drama all the more effective.
I also enjoyed the clip from last year’s convention showing the resurrection of Lazarus. Seeing Jesus moved to tears brought a tear to my eye. I was so glad you showed that clip again, as it really strengthens the friends’ faith by reminding us that we have such a caring King; our glorious king whom God has appointed to resurrect the dead throughout the earth. I also enjoyed the Sunday drama ‘O Jehovah…I trust in you”. The graphics in that video amazed me to be perfectly honest. Brothers… these videos are second to none and look forward to seeing them again. So, credit where credit is due.
Now on to some constructive feedback! I felt the need to give you my thoughts on the drama regarding the girl who fell into sin by having a relationship with her works colleague. I got the point that the girl had sinned by committing fornication. I even accept why her parents asked her to move into her own flat, as it is their house and their rules and they wish to maintain a clean Christian household. I got all that! However, I found your message in this video regarding shunning quite disturbing. As you are aware, I am not a fan of your ‘current’ shunning policy, given what I have mentioned in my previous letters; but I cannot for the life of me fathom how any ‘normal’ set of parents could shun their own daughter for 15 years? Not having any contact whatsoever, as clearly shown in this drama!
What really stuck in my craw was when the mother didn’t even answer her daughter’s phone call. Can you please stop and think for a moment brothers! Supposing that young woman was phoning for an important reason! Lets say she was diagnosed with cancer and had months to live; or she was involved in a car accident and phoning from her bed in hospital; or she was attacked and badly hurt; or she developed mental health problems and needed urgent support due to feeling suicidal; or she was evicted from her flat and had no where to stay or anyone else to turn to. The list goes on, but you get the gist! The fact that the girls own mother refuses to answer the phone to her own daughter gave the impression that her parents didn’t care for their daughter’s physical or emotional wellbeing. It was precisely that which took me aback. It saddens me to think that some parents will adhere to your interpretation of shunning and actually treat their son/daughter in this way for many years, even for life in some cases. Now where did I read that Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t break up families!!
How differently your drama could have been portrayed if it had shown the following scenario. Let’s say the drama is at the point where the parents are discussing the situation with their daughter. It would have been good if you had shown her parents trying to reason with her in a loving way, asking her to respect the rules of their household based on biblical principles. But the girl is determined to continue to see her boyfriend regardless. The parents then could have been shown to say, that although they are not happy about the situation, they can see that she is determined and therefore come to an agreement that she can see him (given she is a mature adult and her right to choice) as long as she maintains a moral Christian standing whilst living in their home. That would have been fair and more reality based. The father could then have asked that she speak to her boyfriend and explain her reasons, and that she would be happy to continue her relationship with him over a period of time, with a view to marriage. The father could then have said that if her boyfriend truly loved and cared for her, he would respect her wishes as a Christian.
But let’s say the drama continues by showing the daughter to be obstinate, whereby she simply refuses to comply with her parents wishes. At this point it is therefore decided that it would be in the interest of everyone for their daughter to find her own apartment, which shows they are limiting their association with her to a degree. The drama could then have shown the parents in a good light by offering their daughter support to find a place of her own to ensure her safety and wellbeing. Though the young woman is fully aware of her parent’s disapproval due to her actions; she knows her parents will always be there for her if she falls into any kind of trouble as per the examples given earlier. This would have been far more realistic and Christian.
If the parents had shown true Christian love, support and concern for their daughter, she would more likely see the error of her ways and be drawn back to her faith sooner. In Matthew 18:17…Jesus said those practicing sin were to be treated as a man of the nations…as tax collectors. Let’s put this in context; Tax collectors in Jesus day were despised because of their role in taxing the people; but people still spoke to them! The Jews even spoke to people of the nations, though unbelievers! So basically, though her parents despised their daughter’s actions, they could still speak to her and continue to treat her as a human being! I also found it astonishing she had to wait an entire year sitting at the back of the Kingdom Hall before she received her 15-20 minute welcome (i.e. love bombing). The beautiful illustration Jesus gave in Luke chapter 11 regarding the prodigal son reads a whole lot differently to me I’m afraid. I don’t see where it says he had to wait a whole year before getting the fattened calf ready! Some food for thought….pardon the pun.
Could I also point out a little observation at this year’s convention. I have never seen so many brothers sporting beards. In fact I was astonished to see several young brothers from one congregation wearing beards. This really pleased me, because it sends out a clear message as to how many brothers feel about the unscriptural rule regarding brothers not being allowed to wear beards; a rule originated by Judge Rutherford.
I do hope you find my feed back helpful brothers. Change is happening fast, but for the better. I just pray you make the necessary changes as soon as possible to allow the friends true ‘freedom in Christ’.
I welcome your response to my feedback. My email address is - jm...............................
Many regards
Brother J M
Witness for Watchtower reform
the governing body.
service department of jehovah’s witnesses.
2821 route 22. patterson.
Thanks everyone for your replies. Very much appreciated
wifibandit - Thanks for updating me regarding address. I will start sending my letters to Walkhill.
Sir82 - Primarily, writing letters to the Governing Body is therapy for me, as I can express my frustration to them. I have to bottle up my feelings and this is a good way of letting off steam. Also stories like the one in the link below motivate me to do so.
the governing body.
service department of jehovah’s witnesses.
2821 route 22. patterson.
The Governing Body
Service department of Jehovah’s Witnesses
2821 Route 22
Patterson
New York
12563
9/07/2016
Dear Brothers,
In my latest letter, I wanted to feed back or highlight a reason (I believe), as to why many of our halls appear to be half empty; why brother half hearted and sister ‘can’t be bothered’ feel the way they do; why the ‘organisation appears to be haemorrhaging many of its members all around the world at this time.
While I was reading through Matthew chapter 23, it occurred to me that you have fallen into the exact same trap the Pharisees fell into thousands of years ago. Throughout this particular chapter, Jesus chastised the religious leaders for all their man made rules they loaded down on the people. I can only wonder what Jesus would say to you ‘the Governing Body’ of Jehovah’s Witnesses today, concerning YOUR many man made rules, policies and teachings that YOU load down on YOUR members.
Mat 23:1 - Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying: 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the seat of Moses. 3 Therefore all the things they tell YOU, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds, for they say but do not perform.
Where have the Governing Body seated themselves? More honor seems to be shown to the Governing Body than Jesus ‘our leader’ – Just an observation!
4 They bind up heavy loads and put them upon the shoulders of men, but they themselves are not willing to budge them with their finger.
Most Witnesses, especially Elders and Ministerial servants feel loaded down with all your rules, policies, teachings, meetings, obligations etc. Are you willing to lighten the load/budge them with your finger? That is why so many tire out and give up!
……………………………………………………………8 But YOU, do not YOU be called Rabbi, for one is YOUR teacher, whereas all YOU are brothers. 9 Moreover, do not call anyone YOUR father on earth, for one is YOUR Father, the heavenly One. 10 Neither be called ‘leaders,’ for YOUR Leader is one, the Christ. 11 But the greatest one among YOU must be YOUR minister. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Often at Judicial committees…the person under ‘interrogation’ will be asked to state if they view the Governing Body as the sole channel of communication used by God - to ‘ULTIMATELY PROVE’ their loyalty to the ‘ORGANISATION’. It doesn’t seem to matter if the person being interviewed ABSOLUTELY believes that OUR leader is the Christ?
13 “Woe to YOU, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because YOU shut up the kingdom of the heavens before men; for YOU yourselves do not go in, neither do YOU permit those on their way in to go in. 14 ——
How many have been disfellowshipped (ie kicked out, cut off, shunned by family members and friends) for trivial matters eg celebrating their childs birth ( instead of leaving it to a matter of conscience); or not agreeing on a particular teaching as interpreted ‘today’ (not being allowed to agree to disagree etc)
15 “Woe to YOU, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because YOU traverse sea and dry land to make one proselyte, and when he becomes one YOU make him a subject for Ge·hen′na twice as much so as yourselves.
How many hours do we spend in preaching and teaching individuals to become Jehovah’s Witnesses, but are ready to judge them on just about any triviality according to your rules, policies and teachings. Many fall away because they can’t be themselves anymore!
…………………………………23 “Woe to YOU, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because YOU give the tenth of the mint and the dill and the cumin, but YOU have disregarded the weightier matters of the Law, namely, justice and mercy and faithfulness. These things it was binding to do, yet not to disregard the other things.
Where is the justice and mercy toward individuals who decided to disassociate for the reason they didn’t ‘for example’ get justice in the past if raped or abused as a child by another member; their ‘shepherds’ simply letting them down when they needed them most (because of YOUR policies and especially YOUR interpretation of the 2 witness rule policy). The choice of formally leaving the organisation isn’t even an option, despite the trauma they have had to endure. You kick such ones when they are already down, by putting in place your cruel shunning policy, thus creating further stress and trauma on these poor individuals whose family members then proceed to cut them off as a result. That is despicable on your part as religious leaders. I apologise…its not my place to say that!
24 Blind guides, who strain out the gnat but gulp down the camel 27 “Woe to YOU, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because YOU resemble whitewashed graves, which outwardly indeed appear beautiful but inside are full of dead men’s bones and of every sort of uncleanness. 28 In that way YOU also, outwardly indeed, appear righteous to men, but inside YOU are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
YES – Things kept ‘in house’ and ‘swept under the carpet’ eg The Royal Australian Commission – Need I say anymore
Brothers, please reform now and issue an apology to all those who have been and continue to be hurt by YOUR policies and teachings. Bring about change; a system of beliefs (in line with scripture) where the rank and file members can truly experience Christian freedom without fear.
Thank you for taking the time in reading this letter
Your brother
JM
Witness for Watchtower reform
below is my latest letter sent to the governing body of jehovah's witnesses.
jm.
the governing body.
Hi everyone,
Below is my latest letter sent to the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Regards
JM
The Governing Body
Service department of Jehovah’s Witnesses
2821 Route 22
Patterson
New York
12563 15/06/2016
Dear Brothers,
I would like to inform you that I have made a very important decision in my life. I would firstly like to stress that this is not an official letter of disassociation. The reason being, that I need to keep in contact with my family and friends, as I am sure you can fully understand. In saying that however, I regret to inform you that I no longer identify myself as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses whenever possible. I will however, continue - for the time being - to associate with the witnesses at my local Kingdom Hall to keep up appearances; and allow the Holy Spirit to guide me in my path through life as a Christian.
I now fully consider myself a ‘Christian bible student’ and worship Jehovah in a ‘spirit of love’, whilst experiencing liberty in Christ (Gal 5:22, 2 Cor 3:15-17). This is a very different spirit to the Organisation / JW.ORG , in that many Jehovah’s Witnesses worship Jehovah in a ‘spirit of fear’ primarily due to your very strict, rigid, controlling Talmudic type teachings, rules and policies.
On the other hand, I have been very encouraged by the website ‘Friends of Jehovah’s Witnesses’. As a result of my research, my faith and zeal is slowly beginning to return again, similar to the days when I first studied with the witnesses over two decades ago, until I began to experience the control the watchtower society had over my life. From what I have learned on the ‘Friends of Jehovah’s Witnesses’ website, is that these groups were the original bible students, who like Charles Taze Russell, worshiped Jehovah in a spirit of Love. This spirit of love prevailed until the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society was taken over and led on another path by Judge Rutherford, bringing in a spirit of fear with HIS teachings, interpretations and organisational rules.
As an act of Christian love, I urge you brothers to read the many articles and listen to the Audio recordings of the conference calls on the website ‘Friends of Jehovah’s Witnesses. These true meaningful Christian bible students show a spirit of love by allowing the brothers to speak about their faith and views on the scriptures without fear. These brothers speak freely without being judged or labelled as ‘mentally diseased’ apostates. Even though they may have varying views on some scriptures or teachings, they are fully united in Christ; united in a spirit of love. Their example speaks volumes.
So brothers, I hope this letter helps to explain my current position as a Christian. Though I no longer view myself specifically as Jehovah’s Witness (preferring instead to view myself as a ‘Christian bible student’), I will always remain a friend of Jehovah’s Witnesses, who in my mind – though misled at this time - are sincere Christians.
I would like to thank you for reading my letter brothers and sincerely hope you bring about a spirit of love by getting rid of all your unnecessary rules and policies that have and continue to cause so much hurt, pain and stumbling to the brothers world wide. Love is the key. 1 Corinthians Chapter 13
Your brother in Christ
J M
Witness for Watchtower reform
just sent this letter off to the governing body.
i also sent a copy to the britain branch.
the governing body.
Hi all, thanks for your time in reading my letter. I accept the various views given and will try to adapt my letters accordingly. I now try to keep my letters short / succinct, but effective as one person suggested.
I know that some of you think it a waste of time and understand why you might feel this way; however given the type of work I do, I have come to learn through experience that the pen is most definitely mightier than the sword. The other thing is that it helps me to off load my frustrations at what I clearly see as wrong and unfair! This helps me tremendously as know only too well the consequences of openly questioning the GB with the elders.
Several years of biting my tongue is several years too long. Action needs to be taken. I genuinely want to see change in which genuine Christians are no longer hurting due to man made rules / policies.
My hope is that these letters will at least be read by some Witnesses whatever their part in the organisation/society, so that they too are moved to sit up and think about the issues raised.
Thanks again all
wfwr
just sent this letter off to the governing body.
i also sent a copy to the britain branch.
the governing body.
Hi Everyone,
Just sent this letter off to the Governing Body. I also sent a copy to the Britain branch.
The Governing Body
Service department of Jehovah’s Witnesses
2821 Route 22
Patterson
New York
12563
2/06/2016
Dear Brothers,
Could I request that you send me a segment of your policy on Disfellowshipping. My email address is: jm…………………………
The reason for my request is with regards to the recent watchtower study article in April of this year entitled ‘learn from Jehovah’s Loyal Servants’.
I was alarmed at some of the content to be honest. I found paragraph 7 both vague on the one hand and extreme on the other. Vague, in that it didn’t specify what exactly Anne’s mother had done to merit being cut off from her own daughter ‘Anne’; and extreme in the fact that you acknowledge her example of have nothing more to do with her own mother as commendable; which could even mean shunning her for the rest of her life if my understanding is correct.
I also found this article contradictory. You portray Taro’s family in paragraph 17 as being harsh and unreasonable by forbidding him to visit their home for years, ‘cutting’ him off so to speak, simply for the fact that he chose to join another religious faith group –Jehovah’s Witnesses. Can’t you see the contradiction?
In 1 Corinthians 5:11, it says that a person was to limit their association with any brother/sister who was sexually immoral, greedy, an idolater, a slanderer, a drunkard, a swindler? In my mind, if my own mother was doing some of the above, I would naturally ‘limit’ my association ‘to a degree’ with her as such a person could have a negative influence over my family. However, in saying that, as a Christian, I would still maintain contact with ‘my own mother’ ‘within reason’ to try and help her see the error of her ways. I would still show Christian love to ‘my own mother’.
I am sorry to say this, but your apparent promotion of shunning of family members as depicted in this Watchtower article comes across as anything but Christian. What’s more, Watchtower articles like this, are causing me more and more to now view myself as a member of a ‘high control American religion’, as opposed to a Christian faith group.
As a member of the Watchtower bible and tract society, as a current baptised Jehovah’s Witness, I am well within my rights to know exactly what your policy is on disfellowshipping! If I, as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses am expected to go to such extremes as cutting my own mother off (or any other brother/sister for that matter), possibly for the rest of my life if required, I want to know exactly the kind of things YOU as the sole channel between God and man ‘claim’ to be worthy of such treatment.
So again, could I please ask that you send me a segment of your disfellowshipping policy to see what you as an organisation constitute as disfellowshipping offences that merit a person being cut off from their family.
I look very forward to your reply
Brother J M
Witness for Watchtower reform
