Posts by LevelThePlayingField

9

S-77 Form--Britain!

by Atlantis in

say wifi, if we don't have this one in the archives would you throw it in there.

some kind folks sent it over and we may need it some day.

.. s-77 form britain (a lot of boxes to check on this one!)..

LevelThePlayingField

thanks Atlantis, this is very revealing!

51

NEW 2012 Elders book with 2015 Amendments

by Newly Enlightened in

thanks to jw archive wiki we have a pdf of the new elders book.. https://www.dropbox.com/s/mz9z38909t3fh7c/2012-shepherd-the-flock-of-god-ks10_e.pdf?dl=0.

Trustworthy JW Lawyers????

by Uzzah in

i will reserve comment but mr. pole has regularly represented the canadian branch of the jws'.

he is their go to lawyer when needing non-direct society representation.. disappointed at how slimy he has become.

he and i used to be friends.

LevelThePlayingField

This guy's a real jerk. Purposely with holding information just to get the Watchtower their money quicker?! But I believe it. Nothing is sacred anymore.

103

NEW BLOOD CARD w/ FORCED COMPLIANCE also LEGALISM

by apocalypse in

i have looked around and i don't see this covered, so i am starting a thread.. 1) the new "blood card" goes beyond being just a "blood card".. 2) a new edict concerning compliance.. pay attention to the changes.. first, the new card is termed "advance decision to refuse specified medical treatment".

the big change with the card itself is that it includes an 'override' of your "power of attorney".

this is huge.

LevelThePlayingField

The GB is really getting intrusive in this whole blood thing aren't they. Saying that the liaison committee can have access to all your "relevant" medical records is really something. I can't believe I just read that. I think what I'm going to do is just have mine signed and copies to everyone, the whole nine yards and then tear my personal one up, and then if I ever have to go to the hospital, talk to the doctors one on one and let them know how I feel.

I mean, that document is completely useless until you can't speak for yourself anyways, and my wife was hounding me about it the other day asking where's mine. And if it comes down to it and I'm confronted with the issue then I will just stand up to everyone and tell them, Hey, I don't believe in the blood doctrine, sorry. And I can cross that bridge when I get there.

edit- actually I will just have it signed and then tell everyone I will get copies to them and the secretary but then never do. I will just keep my copy of it and leave it at that. If I'm hounded and hounded about it, then I will do it. But maybe, just maybe, I won't be bothered with it, and I will be the only one with a copy of it, well me and my wife that is.

11

slimboyfat & blondie made news on newshub.com

by LevelThePlayingField in

i know, how do i find this stuff, right?

the article is long, so just do a ctrl-f then type in your name... also jehovahs-witness.com mentioned in this article.

"theocratic warfare" is a contentious theological doctrine of the jehovah's witness (jw) movement in christianity.. .

LevelThePlayingField

I know, how do I find this stuff, right? The article is long, so just do a ctrl-F then type in your name... also jehovahs-witness.com mentioned in this article. Hi Simon.

"Theocratic warfare" is a contentious theological doctrine of the Jehovah's Witness (JW) movement in Christianity.

Theocratic warfare, as a religious/evangelical doctrine, essentially entails the following; the JW movement permits its members to use manipulations and half truths to convert people to the JW religion. Theocratic warfare also allows members of the JW religion to lie in order to protect the JW religion. The doctrine essentially exists with the assumption from JW's that they need to save people in the eyes of God (Jehovah) by any means necessary. Therefore, manipulation of fact and half truth is acceptable in the eyes of many JW's as the divine mission (salvation of individuals' souls for Jehovah) is put before truth in the short term. Essentially, many JW's believe that they are morally able to tell half truths, lie, and manipulate facts so as to convert new members and "protect the faith".

The previous paragraph would essentially summarise theocratic warfare doctrine if there was any consistency to the available evidence. However, the evidence is not consistent.

There has been a significant degree of controversy between ex JW's and current JW's as to whether theocratic warfare is a theological program commanded from the heights of the JW leadership (as asserted by many ex JW's) or whether the existence of theocratic warfare doctrine today is a mistake resulting from contemporary misinterpretation of JW doctrine dated back to World War II (the opinion of many current JW'S discussingthe matter in online JW chatrooms as well as the opinion of one source I interviewed).

So is theocratic warfare a doctrinal instrument of JW religious leaders, or the result of misinterpretation of doctrine by individual JW's?

Many ex members of the Jehovah's Witness argue that the doctrine of theocratic warfare is a tool utilised by the leadership of the Jehovah's Witness religion to spread their faith. Countless ex JW's regard theocratic warfare as a "top down" doctrinal instrument of the JW leadership, used to spread JW theology by any means necessary and co-ordinated from the highest levels of the religion.

"jwfacts.org", a site dedicated to uncovering and revealing lies, half truths, and manipulations by JW's, has collated a number of quotes from members of the JW heirarchy regarding the doctrine of theocratic warfare. As stated at the introduction of the "jwfacts.org" page on theocratic warfare;

"Jehovah's Witnesses are told that they are in "theocratic warfare" or "spiritual warfare" with the world. This warfare includes the strategy that being misleading, or even lying, is acceptable in situations where such dishonesty furthers the organisation's interests."

"jwfacts.org" then provides a number of instances wherein there is evidence that the JW hierarchy has lied, and encouraged lying, in its publications;

"Sarai could say that she was Abram’s sister because she really was his half sister. (Genesis 20:12) Furthermore, he was not under obligation to divulge information to people who were not entitled to it. (Matthew 7:6) Faithful servants of God in modern times heed the Bible’s command to be honest. (Hebrews 13:18) They would never, for instance, lie under oath in a court of law. When the physical or spiritual lives of their brothers are at stake, such as in times of persecution or civil distress, however, they heed Jesus’ counsel to be “cautious as serpents and yet innocent as doves.”-Watchtower 2001 Aug 15 p.20 (sourced from "jwfacts.org").

"Of course, being truthful does not mean that we are obligated to divulge all information to anyone who asks it of us. Do not give what is holy to dogs, neither throw your pearls before swine, that they may never ... turn around and rip you open, warned Jesus, at Matthew 7:6. For example, individuals with wicked intent may have no right to know certain things. Christians understand that they are living in a hostile world. Thus, Jesus advised his disciples to be cautious as serpents while remaining innocent as doves. ( Matthew 10:16; John 15:19) Jesus did not always disclose the full truth, especially when revealing all the facts could have brought unnecessary harm to himself or his disciples. Still, even at such times, he did not lie. Instead, he chose either to say nothing or to divert the conversation in another direction."-Awake! 2000 Feb 8 p.21 (sourced from "jwfacts.org").

These two cited examples are just some among many examples provided by "jwfacts.org" of the JW hierarchy permitting lying to further advance the aims of the JW organisation. However, these examples are both nearly fifteen years old, so the doctrine may not be as pervasive within the JW religion in 2016.

However, evidence of theocratic warfare being a tool of JW religious leaders is not only documentary, but also academic. Academic Jerry Bergman in "The Cultic Study Review" (2002, Volume 1, No. 2) asserted that theocratic warfare was a definitive and intrinsic part of JW teaching and JW practices in regards to religious conversion up to and circa 2002. According to Bergman, theocratic warfare was a doctrine taught and practiced by all members of the JW religion, from high ranking elders to individual "foot soldiers" around that time. Bergman's 2002 study asserted that theocratic warfare allowed JW's to tell half truths to gain new religious converts, and also allowed JW's to lie in court to protect the interests of the JW religion.

Evidence for the existence of the doctrine suggests that theocratic warfare was prevalent within JW teaching at least until 2002. Though the teaching may not be as dominant today, there is still evidence of its existence in JW circles in 2016.

Writing in an August 2015 opinion piece for "ABC News" (Australia), ex JW Paul Grundy asserts that theocratic warfare (or "spiritual warfare") is a definitive and real part of JW religious doctrine in the present day. As detailed in Paul Grundy's article, JW's cannot be trusted to tell the truth in situations such as a court of law. This is because the JW religion permits lying in situations where the JW religion is threatened e.g. potentially damaging legal cases such as the 2015 Australian Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse. As Grundy writes;

"Unfortunately, it was also not always possible to trust what the (JW) elders told the (2015 Australian) Royal Commission (Into Child Sexual Abuse), and anyone watching them would have noticed their strenuous efforts to deflect the conversation and answer with irrelevant straw man arguments (although counsel assisting the commission, Angus Stewart, and Justice Peter McClellan were exceptional at keeping the answers on topic).

This approach by the elders may be part of what the teachings refer to as "theocratic or spiritual warfare", where Jehovah's Witnesses may, at least in some cases, be encouraged to withhold information order to protect the name of Jehovah and the organisation."

Paul Grundy's interpretation of the actions of JW elders in courtroom situations suggests that contemporary JW's are willing to lie before a court of law when the reputation of the JW religion is at stake. Such a willingness to lie becomes a very serious issue when lies are told to cover up very serious matters such as child sexual abuse.

Documentary sources, academic sources, and media sources on the matter of theocratic warfare all suggest that JW's do frequently lie in the name of their religion. There is therefore significant evidence to suggest that theocratic warfare doctrine exists, and is used to protect the name and reputation of the Jehovah's Witness organisation. Theocratic warfare is demonstrated by academic, documentary, and significant online anecdotal evidence to definitively exist as a theocratic concept within the JW religion.

According to ex JW's writing online, as well as evidence from multiple other sources (academic and legal), theocratic warfare is a strategy of spiritual conversion and protection of the faith commanded by the JW hierarchy. According to these sources, theocratic warfare is coordinated globally by members of, and congregations within, the JW religious movement. These sources also claim that the strategy allows all JW's to lie when they can further the interest of the JW organisation or to protect the JW organisation. This is done so with the blessing of JW elders according to these diverse sources.

However, many current members of the JW religion assert that the strategy of theocratic warfare is only used in a contemporary context due to mis-interpretation of JW doctrine by some contemporary JW congregations. According to these current JW's, the doctrine of theocratic warfare originated in World War II (1939-1945), and was used by JW's during that time to protect themselves from Nazi and Stalinist persecution. The doctrine, created during WWII, allowed JW's to lie about their faith to authorities so that they were not sent to Nazi concentration camps or Communist gulags. These current JW's believe that individual JW's and individual JW congregations have misinterpreted the doctrine of theocratic warfare in the years since WWII, to the point that these individuals and groups now use what was once a very specific theological doctrine for unintended purposes i.e. spreading the JW religion by manipulative means and protecting the JW religion by manipulative means.

On "Jehovahs-Witness.com", a Jehovah's Witness members forum, JW's chatting online have discussed the matter of theocratic warfare in conversations. In an interesting conversation I found on the website from eleven years ago, online members (all presumably JW's at the time) seemed to acknowledge that theocratic warfare existed and was a definite thing. However, there was some debate among these individual JW's as to the exact nature of theocratic warfare as a "theocratic thing". The debate on the site was interesting, as current and ex JW's debated the exact origins and nature of "theocratic warfare".

The chatroom conversation started with one member "Slimboyfat" (a JW at the time, apparently) asserting that; "apostates (ex-JW's) make the whole thing (theocratic warfare) up!"

The first comment in reply (from "Blondie", a JW at the time) asserted that theocratic warfare definitely existed, but that the doctrine was simply a result of JW's misinterpreting their faith. A seven page debate then commenced on the site, with both JW members and ex JW's arguing about the nature and extent of theocratic warfare doctrine. The general conclusion from the chatroom conversation was that theocratic warfare doctrine definitely existed, and was a strategy that had morphed from a strategy used by JW's in World War II to protect themselves from Nazis (and later, Communists).

However, ex JW's and JW's still had differences of opinion. Ex JW's generally regarded theocratic warfare as a strategy commanded by JW leadership, and current JW's generally regarded the doctrine as a result of congregational or individual misinterpretations of JW teachings.

Whatever the case, the conversation on "jehovahs-witness.com" was enlightening as it did reveal that many JW's do themsleves acknowledge the existence of theocratic warfare doctrine. Furthermore, JW's on "jehovahs-witness.com" were not the only JW's I witnessed within the course of my research acknowledging that theocratic warfare existed.

"Opposers DisMythed", a blog run by members of the JW religion, acknowledges the existence of theocratic warfare doctrine. However, the "Opposers DisMythed" blog asserts that the extent of theocratic warfare doctrine is minimal within the JW religion. "Opposers DisMythed" asserts that the influence of theocratic warfare within the JW religion is not anywhere near the extent claimed by opponents of the religion. The blog also makes another interesting claim; "Opposers DisMythed" asserts that theocratic warfare doctrine only allows members of the JW religion to "hold their tongue", not lie.

One ex JW I consulted in my research also believes that the extent of the influence of theocratic warfare doctrine may not be necessarily that significant or pervasive within the religious movement. Alice (name changed), a friend of mine and an ex JW, personally believes that theocratic warfare is more likely to be the result of doctrinal mis-interpretation than deliberate plan or intent on behalf of the JW hierarchy. An ex JW currently aged seventeen whose family left the religion when she was fifteen, Alice believes that such malevolent and manipulative intent would not come from the JW hierarchy. As Alice stated to me in an interview last week;

"I don't think people still in the Jehovah's Witness religion are bad people or that their intentions are bad. I do think they are people who believe that they are doing the right thing...that said I never really got into missioning (evangelizing) full time as I left when I was pretty young".

Alice's uncertainty regarding the nature and extent of the doctrine is reflective of general uncertainty regarding the topic of "theocratic warfare". There are literally millions of different opinions and perspectives on the nature and extent of theocratic warfare.

Whether the doctrine of theocratic warfare is the result of the commands of top-down leadership, or the misinterpretations of individual congregations and individuals, is a matter that will never be finally decided. Because, if theocratic warfare does exist as a doctrine, nothing any current JW says can really be said to be truthful. But, then again, it is possible that individual JW's and individual JW congregations misinterpret their religion, as many JW's online seemed to believe . Individual Muslims, Catholics, and Buddhists all misinterpret their spiritual beliefs. Jehovah's Witnesses are just human beings, so why should they be any different?

However by my reckoning, the evidence does seem to suggest that, at best, some individual JW's and some geographically specific sections of the JW movement (e.g. Australian JW's) currently consider it permissible to tell lies and half truths in order to gain new converts or to protect the faith. The evidence for the existence of theocratic warfare doctrine is too enormous to just ignore.

However, the evidence I have examined could also very likely suggest something much more sinister at play. Because at worst, and according to the evidence of diverse and reputable sources, theocratic warfare is a doctrine spread by the hierarchy of the JW religion in order to convert people to the JW religion and the JW way of life. According to this line of evidence, the JW hierarchy also considers it permissible for its members to lie to protect the reputation of the religion.

Whatever the case, people everywhere should be sceptical about whatever they are told by a JW or by a JW publication. Because there is significant evidence suggesting that a significant portion of JW's are willing to lie in the name of their religion. Whether this is a result of doctrinal mis-interpretation or ill intent is largely irrelevant because the end result (lying) is essentially unchanged.

Members of the JW religion globally need to seriously reconsider their perspective on the importance of total truth. Lying, even in the name of Jehovah, is not permissible or acceptable. Because eventually you will be caught red handed.

https://www.the-newshub.com/general/the-jehovahs-witness-doctrine-of-theocratic-warfare

Cash crunch in Jamaica forcing KH sales

by LevelThePlayingField in

a cash crunch is forcing the jehovah's witnesses church in jamaica to join its colleagues around the world in offloading some of its real estate as part of cost-saving measures.. the church is selling some of its larger temples and other buildings, as it tries to operate from smaller, less expensive, and easier to maintain facilities.. one large temple, located on cowper drive, close to washington boulevard in st andrew, is among the properties on sale, and sources say the religious group is asking $45 million for the property.. four other auditoriums, on elletson road and giltress street in east kingston, one in waterhouse, and one in august town, st andrew, are also up for sale.. a local witness, who asked not to be named as he is not an official spokesperson for the religious group, told the sunday gleaner that some local properties have already been sold while others are on offer to the highest bidder.. high overheads.

according to the witness, high overheads forced the religious body to take the action.. "maintenance and electricity costs are killers.

and the improvements in technology have made it easier for communication between individuals, and so staffing for the temples became redundant," said the witness.. when our news team contacted the headquarters of the jehovah's witnesses in the united states, a representative said he was not an official spokesperson for the religious group and could not speak on the record.. "all the answers you are seeking can be found on our website.

LevelThePlayingField

A cash crunch is forcing the Jehovah's Witnesses Church in Jamaica to join its colleagues around the world in offloading some of its real estate as part of cost-saving measures.

The church is selling some of its larger temples and other buildings, as it tries to operate from smaller, less expensive, and easier to maintain facilities.

One large temple, located on Cowper Drive, close to Washington Boulevard in St Andrew, is among the properties on sale, and sources say the religious group is asking $45 million for the property.

Four other auditoriums, on Elletson Road and Giltress Street in east Kingston, one in Waterhouse, and one in August Town, St Andrew, are also up for sale.

A local Witness, who asked not to be named as he is not an official spokesperson for the religious group, told The Sunday Gleaner that some local properties have already been sold while others are on offer to the highest bidder.

HIGH OVERHEADS

According to the Witness, high overheads forced the religious body to take the action.

"Maintenance and electricity costs are killers. And the improvements in technology have made it easier for communication between individuals, and so staffing for the temples became redundant," said the Witness.

When our news team contacted the headquarters of the Jehovah's Witnesses in the United States, a representative said he was not an official spokesperson for the religious group and could not speak on the record.

"All the answers you are seeking can be found on our website. With respect to Jamaica, go to the website and use the search facility, enter yearbook, branch consolidation and you should get an answer," said the representative.

But no information specific to the sale of the properties in Jamaica was found.

The religious group had previously announced that as of September 2012, the oversight of more than 20 of its branch offices would be closed and transferred to larger branches.

"In recent years, improvements in communications and printing technology have reduced the need for personnel in some branches. With fewer people working at larger branches, room became available that could be used for housing some who were working in smaller branches in other countries," said the Witness who spoke with our news team.

According to the organisation's website, "Because of the mergers, qualified ministers who had been serving in small branches can now concentrate on preaching the good news."

The group, whose members are well known for their door-to-door preaching and distribution of the Watchtower and Awake magazines, has also seen a scaling down of this activity, particularly in the Corporate Area, in recent times.

Younger Witnesses are "studying and securing jobs for themselves and their families, so the large numbers are not there anymore. But we still have Witnesses," said one local member of the church.

At the last check, in 2011, Jamaica recorded 50,849 Jehovah's Witnesses, up from 44,203 10 years earlier.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20160410/jehovahs-witnesses-properties-sale-rising-costs-force-religious-group-go-small

19

Ideas for letter to Dr about blood card blackmail and what it means?

by purrpurr in

following on from another op who brought to our attention the new draconian blood card policy .i'm planning on visiting my dr to discuss this issue in advance.

i'm planning on telling her how jw's and possibly me will be blackmailed into signing this but really won't want the hlc involved and may want blood if needed.. i'm thinking about writing a letter that could be kept on file for future reference outling these issues, what do you think i should say in it?

ideas gratefully received thanks x.

LevelThePlayingField

The letter to the body of elders said as soon as the elders receive their shipment of new directives in the mail, meaning at the next meeting when the brothers get all the new blood cards in.

103

NEW BLOOD CARD w/ FORCED COMPLIANCE also LEGALISM

by apocalypse in

i have looked around and i don't see this covered, so i am starting a thread.. 1) the new "blood card" goes beyond being just a "blood card".. 2) a new edict concerning compliance.. pay attention to the changes.. first, the new card is termed "advance decision to refuse specified medical treatment".

the big change with the card itself is that it includes an 'override' of your "power of attorney".

this is huge.

LevelThePlayingField

StephaneL

Good point, but yeah, I really doubt that the disfellowshipping thing would ever come into the picture over a blood card, because how could they ever say this was a gross sin, they couldn't and won't. But they could make a person's life rough though, like taking away privileges and the like.

21

Whats the one thing

by MrTheocratic in

jw's are constantly trying to prove they have the truth.

they always point to matthew 24:14 and say "who is accomplishing this work today?

this proves we have the truth and gods backing".. for those of us in this community looking from the other side what is one thing that proves to you that this organization does not have gods backing?

LevelThePlayingField

I would say for me, the tyrannical way they protect their history to make sure you don't know the real truth about it. And if you do and say something and tell others, then you can get disfellowshipped for it. That's a crazy sin in itself, is it not?

And yes, as another poster has said, the way they changed the Bible, they put Jehovah in the Greek scriptures where the word Lord is, just because they think it belongs there, that's another crazy one. The Greek didn't have Jehovah in it, if it did then put it in there, but it doesn't, so why go beyond the things written?

Another thing is their flip flop doctrines that they change depending on what season it is. Like blood and blood fractions and organ transplants. It all depends who is in control at the time, not God's spirit, that's really obvious.

103

NEW BLOOD CARD w/ FORCED COMPLIANCE also LEGALISM

by apocalypse in

i have looked around and i don't see this covered, so i am starting a thread.. 1) the new "blood card" goes beyond being just a "blood card".. 2) a new edict concerning compliance.. pay attention to the changes.. first, the new card is termed "advance decision to refuse specified medical treatment".

the big change with the card itself is that it includes an 'override' of your "power of attorney".

this is huge.

LevelThePlayingField

rebel - good point. That's right, giving your blood card to the elders, technically goes against HIPPA.