Esse quam videri is a Latin phrase meaning "To be, rather than to seem (to be)".
Now the Governing Body may seem to be good, they are in fact not.
They are arrogant liars, hypocrites and cowards that sponge off of the hard work of others. They claim to be a "Faithful and Discreet Slave," but in actual practice they behave as if they are the lords and masters over the faithful Witnesses.
They pompously demand blind, unquestioning obedience. They issue edicts like this now infamous maxim from the November 15th, 2013 Watchtower:
- All
of us must be ready to obey any instructions we may receive, whether
these appear sound from a strategic or human standpoint or not. - p. 20
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And yet, when called on to testify before legitimate authorities, they hypocritically say things like:
- "I do not answer to Watchtower. ... Watchtower does not have, and never has had, any authority over me." - Gerritt Lösch, in a signed affidavit to the Superior Court of the State of California, County of San Diego, dated February 4th, 2014
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They make the Pharisees look like amateurs.
Let's review: It's a cult!