Posts by Faithful Witness

8

I Agree With the Circuit Overseer!!

by The Searcher in

when i was just studying, the c.o.

was brought to my home for a "visit".. the only thing i can remember from his conversation is this - (and the principle is so true, i'm going to use it).

"searcher, if you're talking to someone about the bible and they don't accept three scriptures as proof about the subject, then don't waste your time trying to give them thirty scriptures, because they clearly don't want to hear the truth.".

Faithful Witness

I don't remember where I heard this:

Using scriptures to try to prove a point, is like throwing ping pong balls at a brick wall.

20

We were shown how to google jw-org last night

by StarTrekAngel in

so last night i went to the meeting with my family.

had not gone in 2 weeks.

as usual i sat down reading the bible.

Faithful Witness

It's very interesting to watch the Watchtower struggle to keep up with this system of things.

It would be funny, if it weren't devastating and damaging so many lives.

Simon said: They could be trying to game Google. If enough people search for and click on their link then it gets a boost.

Are they that sophisticated?

17

Interview with Jehovah's witnesses

by John Doe64 in

hello i am john a student of naperville north high school.

in a comparative religion project we have to research a branch of christianity mine being jehovah's witness and do an interview so this is out to all jehovah's witnesses or former jehovah's witnesses.. what do you enjoy about being jehovah's witness and what do you enjoy the least?.

what is communion like for jehovah's witnesses?.

Faithful Witness

Greetings, John Doe!

You have been given quite an assignment. The religion of Jehovah's Witnesses, is a sect of Christianity, but the more you learn about it, the more you will see how it diverts from traditional Christian beliefs. The well-dressed people who come to your door, are operating under the false assumption that they have the exclusive truth about the bible's message. They are nice people, and believe they are doing the right thing, when they offer you that magazine from the Watchtower Society's massive printing facility. They are following the directions of Jehovah's organization.

They will proudly tell you that there are over 8 million JW's around the globe today. The Watchtower Society keeps track of every hour and piece of literature distributed, and their statistics are published in a yearbook each year, as well as being available on their website. They love numbers and statistics.

If you want an in-person interview with a believing, you might try going to jw.org, and requesting a visit from your local Kingdom Hall. As long as you realize they are not peddling the truth, but working for a group of men in New York, you are not in danger of believing any of their twists on the truth.

A devout Witness of Jehovah will proclaim that they are the happiest people on earth. They can't wait for the end of this system, so they can live forever in paradise. They will deny their prideful ways, but they are often boastful in their own claims to have this exclusive channel to Jehovah. Their kingdom songs are not about Jesus, grace or forgiveness... they sing songs that celebrate vindication of their organization.

Like other high-control religions, sometimes called cults, they have their own jargon and catch phrases. They use repetition of catch phrases and trigger words, to control the followers of their organization. I'm going to use red text, to help you recognize their lingo in my answers.

Some of their unique teachings include:

Jesus Christ is NOT divine. He is the son of God, but he is NOT God. (Jesus is "A god.") The Trinity concept is a pagan doctrine of false religion.
Jesus was crucified on a tree, or a torture stake. The cross is a pagan symbol of false religion.
Christmas and Easter are false religious holidays, both with pagan origins.
Celebrating a person's birthday, or participating (voting) in any election, is a form of idol worship, or idolatry. The same principle applies to anything patriotic. Veterans are mocked to their face.
Jehovah is the one true God, and He wants us to call him by his first name.
There is no hell. The dead are asleep. You can't suffer after death.
After Armageddon, one of 3 things will happen to you:

Not a JW: You are cut off and destroyed permanently. Permanent sleep.
If you are a JW: You get to live forever in paradise on Earth.
Exception to above: exactly 144,000 anointed Christians will go to heaven, to serve as kings over the great flock on Earth.
If you died before Armageddon, you will be resurrected and given a chance to become a JW (or go back to sleep forever).

How can you become a Witness of Jehovah? There is a rigorous qualification process, including a written or verbal test, consisting of approximately 80 questions. You must agree to every belief and statement made by Jehovah's organization. When you are baptized, you agree that you are being baptized into Jehovah's organization.
Their Governing Body speaks for Jehovah. No questions allowed from followers. The leaders of the Jehovah's Witness religion, also known as the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society (or corporation), is called the Governing Body. The Governing Body is a group of 7 men, who have been appointed by Christ, to provide all spiritual food to the great flock during this time of the end.

The Governing Body is the "faithful and discreet slave," described in Matthew 24:45-47 “Who really is the faithful and discreet* slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time?+ 46 Happy is that slave if his master on coming finds him doing so!+ 47 Truly I say to you, he will appoint him over all his belongings.
The Faithful and Discreet Slave (FDS) sends letters to the flock, through the ranks of their organization. These letters contain directions that are not to be questioned.
The FDS makes adjustments to their understanding and beliefs about what the Bible actually teaches. Changes in doctrine are called "new light."
The light gets brighter in the time of the end. JW's receive this new light joyfully, as proof that they are in Jehovah's chosen organization.

Every JW, is expected to work and preach, spreading the kingdom message. Their work is easily recognized: they go out in car groups, going from house to house. They are called Publishers.

They believe it is their responsibility to preach to every corner of the earth .
They keep track of every hour they spend working for the organization. This includes the door-to-door work, bible studies and any outreach they do that promotes the Watchtower.
Each Publisher is expected to turn in a Field Service Report each month, detailing their work efforts.
They keep track of every piece of literature they place (in someone's hand, on a table or magazine rack at the doctor's office, in your door)
They recently added the ability to keep track of every time they get someone to watch a video on the jw.org website. (save printing costs)
They have different levels of publishers: Pioneers work 70 hours per month.

They do not accept blood transfusions.

What do you enjoy about being Jehovah's witness and what do you enjoy the least?

After several years of research, I decided not to continue associating with the nice people who thought they were teaching me the "Truth."

Pro: When I was studying with them, I enjoyed the fellowship and the illusion of an association of brotherhood. The friends. The way they came to my house every week... it really felt like they loved me. (This is a technique called "love bombing." It works great on lonely people and idealists.) I wanted to be a good person, and the people that I met in the JW religion were really some of the nicest people I've known and loved.

Con: They did not want to examine their own teachings or origins (not allowed). They would not answer my critical questions, but instead told me I should set my objections and questions aside. When confronted with facts from their organization's own origins, and doctrines previously published by the Watchtower, I was accused of listening to apostates. In the end, I was labeled as unwilling to submit to authority, and my husband was accused of chasing riches. They gave up on trying to get us to make progress.

What is communion like for Jehovah's witnesses? (not called communion)

JW's celebrate only one "holiday" each year, which they call "The Memorial." This is the one time each year that communion is performed for the members to "observe." A serving tray is passed through the congregation, but no one touches "the emblems." No one partakes of the wine or the bread, unless they have been "anointed," and believe they are part of the "heavenly class."

The JW's have a special "campaign," for the few weeks prior to Easter weekend, when they go and "invite" everyone in the community to attend. The invitation is usually in the form of a little pamphlet, left in your doorjam. If you happen to be home, you are likely to be quickly handed a pamphlet, so they can get to the next house... unless you show interest.

I have attended 2 of these Memorial services. It includes a long talk, explaining why they are remembering the night Christ died. It is a strange ritual, in which no one touches the symbols that represent blood or the body of Christ. They reject it, and do so joyfully. There were no anointed ones at the Kingdom Hall we attended, so all 100+ people rejected the symbols of Jesus's sacrifice.

What is your important belief as a Jehovah's witness?

You'll get a lot of answers for this question. My observation, after watching the way they worship and work for their kingdom message:

Christianity is a false religion.

Very soon, Jehovah will put an end to "this system of things."

It is important to keep working until the very end. ("faith without works is dead.")

How has being a Jehovah's witness affected your life?

Thankfully, I was never baptized as a JW. They continue to affect my life, because my parents and my sister (and her family) made the opposite decision. My sister now has decided to shun me. She told me that she has to "protect her children" from me, my apostasy and idolatry. (We are idolators, because we have attended churches that display the cross).

I have been labeled as an "apostate," because I learned all about the JW religion, but have "turned my back on Jehovah" and "the Truth."

What are your stances on homosexuality, abortion, and divorce?

Wrong, wrong, and wrong. JW religion is black and white. There is no grey area.

5

Scientology Expose: Katie Holmes & Leah Remini are each the cover story for celebrity mags (People & in Touch)

by Faithful Witness in

side by side, on the grocery store magazine display, i saw two celebrity magazines with cover stories about scientology.

i purchased both.

i find it interesting, how similar this "church" is to the organization of the watchtower.. i thought i'd share some of the interesting quotes from the articles, which are both mostly about leah remini's new book, troublemaker: surviving hollywood and scientology.

Faithful Witness

Side by side, on the grocery store magazine display, I saw two celebrity magazines with cover stories about Scientology. I purchased both. I find it interesting, how similar this "church" is to the organization of the Watchtower.

I thought I'd share some of the interesting quotes from the articles, which are both mostly about Leah Remini's new book, Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology. Neither magazine's website seems to be featuring these stories now, (and I find myself wondering why I can't find them).

-----------------

From the cover of People Magazine (November 16, 2015):

(I found a cover image available on this blog, but couldn't find it on the People website) http://tvnewsandviews.com/2015/11/04/people-magazine-november-16-2015-leah-remini-my-escape-from-scientology/

Leah Remini: My Escape from Scientology
Cleaning hotel rooms for the church as a child
Grueling interrogations and fears for her family
Punished for disrupting Tom & Katie's wedding
PLUS Explosive new details from her tell-all book Troublemaker

From the 5-page article in People:

- "Everything happened slowly. Your indoctrination happens over a lifetime." (she was brought to Scientology by her mother at age 8. When Leah left Scientology, her family left with her).

- From a conversation Leah had with Nicole Kidman's children, Bella and Connor Cruise:

"How's your mom? Do you see her a lot?" she asked the kids.

"Not if I have a choice," Bella who was then 13, said, according to Remini. "She's a f---ing SP." (A "suppressive person" is someone viewed as hostile to the church).

- Leah: "In Scientology, there is no middle ground, so unless I was willing to leave my mother, my sister, my brother-in-law and all my friends, I had no other choice."

- When Leah finally reached her breaking point, she was "terrified that her husband, mom and other family members would have to 'disconnect' from her -- a practice of cutting off contact from someone declared hostile to Scientology."

Reactions from the church to her claims:

"It comes as no surprise that someone as self-absorbed as Leah Remini with an insatiable craving for attention would exploit her former faith as a publicity stunt," the church said in a statement, adding that she was "on the verge of being expelled for her ethical lapses," and detailing her alleged lies and misdeeds in statements on its website http://www.scientologynews.org/statements/abc-news/church-of-scientology-statement-leah-remini.html

This is one difference between the Watchtower and Scientology. Scientology publishes statements in response to those who challenge them.

-------------------

From the cover of inTouch Magazine (November 16, 2015):

(I haven't been able to find an image of this cover online, or any reference to it on intouchweekly.com)

Katie's Revenge on Tom
She humiliates him: marriage and Scientology secrets finally revealed
His meltdowns over cookie dough and a chipped mug!
Why baby Suri was left crying on the bathroom floor
Leah Remini joins Katie in exposing Tom's bizarre world

"Katie has been muzzled by her divorce agreement with Tom and has been forced to stay silent for years," says a source. "So speaking out now is huge."

The inTouch article, is mostly about Leah's book, but it does include an apology statement that Katie issued to Leah, and this statement from a Scientology insider: "Tom is furious with Katie because he knows, and the church knows, that she has a nondisclosure agreement. Katie agreed not to spill any secrets."

Some interesting highlights they share from Leah's book:

Leah claims Tom doesn't like John Travolta and Kirstie Alley.
Tom had a fit over cookie dough, berating a female assistant for improperly preparing a batch of cookie dough for him to bake with friends. "Get in the f---ing present time!" Leah says he screamed.
... and over a chipped mug: "You served me tea in a chipped mug? f---ing DB." - derogatory Scientology term that stands for "Degraded Being."
Sea Org guarded Tom's house, "to make sure nothing upset Tom, and if it did, to immediately report it to the church, specifically to (leader) David Miscaviage."

43

Why Rational People Buy Into Conspiracy Theories?

by adjusted knowledge in

jw
friends

my wife is taking a literature course at a local college.

this was her final topic of the semester: why rational people buy into conspiracy theories?i automatically thought of this site and of jws.

the jws i knew, were the kind of people that would believe in conspiracy theories, and i noticed a small following on this site.. the article that was referenced for this course was: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/26/magazine/why-rational-people-buy-into-conspiracy-theories.html?_r=0.

Faithful Witness

Why do rational people buy into conspiracy theories?

Great question!

I am a critical thinker. I am fascinated by conspiracy.

Conspiracy exists. Government, religious and media propaganda are tools used to control people.

Just because you're paranoid, it doesn't mean they're NOT out to get you... and so many cover-ups have been exposed by those who have the courage to question authority.

I agree with these 2 statements:

The Rebel :
A) Conspiracy theorists exist because things should be questioned.
B) Because many conspiracy theories are later proven not insane nonsense, but actually true.

Looking back to when I was first introduced to the Watchtower propaganda, being asked the question, "What Does the Bible REALLY Teach?"... I think I became more interested in the material, because of the way it made me question my existing religious beliefs. I was challenged to question what I'd been told by my Sunday school teachers and pastors.

I specifically remember my JW friend asking me, "How does it feel, knowing that you've been LIED to your whole life?"

I think conspiracy is fueled by emotion, and the desire to prove that you were right all along.

Everyone has an agenda.

7

Anyone from Plymouth MI or Wayne/Westland or Howell MI.

by firestillon in

just found this site and still finding my way around.

seeing if there are any old acquaintances here from the areas above.

i and my wife were in those cities till around 1989. drop a note if you were too or know us.

Faithful Witness

I'm near Lansing. I was never a JW, but just wanted to say hello!

183

JWs have more good points than bad

by lsw1961 in

1) many who were on the destructive path have been transformed by their teachings (this includes me who was once vicious, and presumptuous and atheistic).

2) equal monthly pay to all members of the bethel community regardless of whether they are bc members or sweepers.

this is something that still remains as an unattainable dream for the world.

Faithful Witness

One other point that continues to confuse me, and even you seem conflicted about it: individual vs. organization.

You say:

Hence discreet ones will take benefit from their good points and ignore the rest. Because judgment is on individuals (not on the organizations, religions, nations ... etc)—Mathew 25:31-46.

But later, you say:

However, asserting implies trying to prove that individual is more important than the organization, hence such individual should be shown the exit so that he can enjoy life outside the boundary!

This particular part of your story is interesting to me. Are you allowed freedom of expression and belief?

When I found certain things confusing, I brought to the attention of the higher-ups who, in turn, told me to wait for Jehovah.

Who is the author of confusion?

Genesis 3:4
At this the serpent said to the woman: “YOU positively will not die."

I also noticed that you referenced this parable from Matthew, to illustrate that an individual's actions will be judged.

Are JW's serving God, or are they serving the advancement of their own organization? They seem so intent on proving that they are right, and vindication... yet, they ignore these instructions from Jesus Christ himself:

Matthew 25:31-46 (NWT 2013)
31 “When the Son of man+ comes in his glory, and all the angels with him,+ then he will sit down on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will put the sheep+ on his right hand, but the goats on his left.+ 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right: ‘Come, you who have been blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the world. 35 For I became hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you received me hospitably;+ 36 naked* and you clothed me.+ I fell sick and you looked after me. I was in prison and you visited me.’+ 37 Then the righteous ones will answer him with the words: ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?+ 38 When did we see you a stranger and receive you hospitably, or naked and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 In reply the King will say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’+ 41 “Then he will say to those on his left: ‘Go away from me,+ you who have been cursed, into the everlasting fire+ prepared for the Devil and his angels.+ 42 For I became hungry, but you gave me nothing to eat; and I was thirsty, but you gave me nothing to drink. 43 I was a stranger, but you did not receive me hospitably; naked, but you did not clothe me; sick and in prison, but you did not look after me.’ 44 Then they too will answer with the words: ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying: ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of these least ones, you did not do it to me.’+ 46 These will depart into everlasting cutting-off,*+ but the righteous ones into everlasting life.”+

Q. Was Jesus telling them to PREACH to the poor, the hungry and the homeless? Or was he talking about actual food?

183

JWs have more good points than bad

by lsw1961 in

1) many who were on the destructive path have been transformed by their teachings (this includes me who was once vicious, and presumptuous and atheistic).

2) equal monthly pay to all members of the bethel community regardless of whether they are bc members or sweepers.

this is something that still remains as an unattainable dream for the world.

Faithful Witness

lsw1961 : Thanks for taking the time to compose and share your thoughts about the "good points" of the Watchtower organization. It's nice to see someone who seems happy and content with the life they choose to lead. Congratulations on your decision to turn your life around, and walk away from the destructive behaviors and thinking of your past. You don't have to justify your beliefs to anyone. I commend you for being bold enough to state your case.

There are a lot of people here who have been deeply hurt by the policies and misguided teachings of the Watchtower organization. I appreciate that you take the time to consider the reactions to your claims, and even to give response. I hope you will consider responding to mine.

I've never been a JW myself, but do try to keep up, as I have family members who no longer communicate with me because of their dedication to this organization.

I have many thoughts about your comments, but one stands out to me.

I wondered if you believe that an individual is allowed to consider BOTH sides of a story.

Does an individual have the freedom of expression and beliefs, if they want to be a JW in good standing?

For example, you said:
4) Numerous legal victories in favor of freedom of expression and beliefs have helped even non-JWs also.

Have you read the multiple stories of the legal battles the Watchtower has lost in recent years, because of their policies regarding known child sexual abusers who serve and preach? There have been very prominent cases in Europe, US, Australia.

The Watchtower does NOT, in fact, favor freedom of expression and beliefs...

(you shared an example, when you had questions, and you were not given a satisfactory explanation... and you decided to put aside your freedom of expression, in favor of faith in a society that makes some very grand claims about themselves).

When I was a bible student, it was presented to me as the Truth, absolutely. I had to believe it all, and was not allowed to pick which parts of their teachings applied to me.

14

The Stupidity of the "Preaching Work" ...

by Muddy Waters in

this came up in another thread and i wondered if any one else thought this way while they were still in..... - that it is actually better not to preach as people who don't hear "the truth" are said to be given a resurrection rather than the poor saps who refused a paltry magazine and now merit everlasting destruction..

Faithful Witness

Does this explain why my parents and sister don't try to convert their own family members?

15

How long till the hounders come back ?

by Clambake in

after having a baby ?

.

we just had an elder drop by and invite my wife to the kh with a 21 day old baby.. i thought it was kind of classless.

Faithful Witness

Congratulations!! Enjoy your baby time... Keep your child away from these people for as long as you can.

I would like to second this comment:

Also they all think they have a right to hold your baby and pass it around and are offended when you say no!

As a non-JW, I found them to be extremely RUDE and grabby with my baby.

"He will never get used to other people holding him..." I was scolded once. He was happy with me, and I was happy to hold him!

I once had to hunt a young woman down, to find where my crying baby was... she took him into the restroom. She really wanted a baby of her own, and stated, "My husband won't let me have one..." (ugh. Wonder why, psycho! Now give him back, please! He doesn't like you!!)

Again, SO glad we got out before we were even talking about baptism... and that my children have no recollection of going inside a KH.