HOW THE ORGANIZATION HAS LASTED THIS LONG?

By Mary From The JWN Site.

For decades, the Organization rolled along, safe in the knowledge that they had an 70 or 80 year window with which to rule a pliable flock. The entire religion was built on the notion that The End was imminent and they were lucky enough to have World War I, then the Great Depression, then World War II and the Holocaust to help bolster their claims of how rotten the world was.

From the 1870s onward, Charles Russell was not unlike many others of his day who had an interest in the bible and the fact that he was rich enabled him to start printing his own literature and distributing it to the masses. Many of those that joined him were most likely pissed off at ‘mainstream religion' for one thing or another and some of Russell's views were so crazy that I supposed many of the Bible Students figured he must be right. Hey-didn't they call Jesus a crackpot in his day? Boy oh boy were these people ever going to be sorry when Armageddon shows up in 1914. Jehovah was going to arrive from the Dagobah System Pleiades and smite all of Brother Russell's accusers dead and we're all going up to heaven end of story.

*drums nails while sitting on top of a hill* Free Smiley Face 'Soooo, Charlie, um, where's Jesus? I thought he was supposed to be coming to take us home tonight?' 1914 was the first of a long line of failed prophecies and disappointments in the Organization and Charles Russell----while nowhere near as dogmatic as those that came after him----set the precedence when he failed to apologize for, or even acknowledging the fact that he totally screwed up and obviously hadn't a clue what he was talking about. Instead, he clapped his hands together on the day that he had promised everyone they'd be going to heaven and simply claimed that Jesus returned invisibly.

This didn't wash with a lot of Bible Students though, and approximately 25% of his followers left the religion. Those that remained were disappointed but gullibility covers a multitude of false prophecies and if they couldn't see the pink elephant in the middle of the room, they were obviously lacking in faith and had better straighten up lest they be case out into the outer darkness where they would weep and gnash their teeth.

The next date for The End was 1925 and Judge Rutherford was foolish enough to write all kinds of crazy ‘truths' about the date. The most memorable and infamous was that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob would be resurrected immediately or sooner and would need a really nice place to live and bought Beth Sarim for them. Being the thoughtful soul that he was, Rutherford even offered to live there until they showed up which of course they never did. As the world sunk into the Great Depression, Rutherford lived in a style more on par with Al Capone rather than a humble servant of Christ. If there was one true thing written in all their literature, it was when Rutherford admitted "I made an ass of myself." Free Smiley Face

World War II erupted and renewed excitement for Armageddon reached new heights of fanaticism. Witnesses were told to put off marriage and having children for the ‘remaining months' until the New System arrived. Which, despite the assurance of the Watchtower, did not arrive as predicted. What a huge surprise.

When The End didn't show up at the end of WWII, they were still lucky enough that no one was questioning their claims because at that time, people in general still obeyed anyone in authority and after what they had just witnessed on the world scene was enough to convince most Witnesses that they had 'the Truth' and that The End was still nigh. Plus, the 1950's were about 40 years after Jesus supposedly returned and was within that 'generation' and every Witness at that time knew that there was also about 40 years from when Jesus gave the signs to his disciples, and when Jerusalem was actually destroyed. The parallel time frame between the last days of Jerusalem before her destruction, and the aftermath of WWII was too coincidental (in their minds) for them to ignore.

The 1960s of course was when Uncle Freddie came up with the brainiac idea that 1975 would be 'The End' and the articles and assemblies during that time all confirmed it: ‘Stay Alive Til '75' was probably the most repeated phrase amongst the Witnesses at that time and it gave some of the older Witnesses who had been around during WWI and II, renewed hope that they would never have to die and would indeed, live on into the New System. The Organization witnessed an increase in the early 1970s unlike any other time before or since and it was all because they had more or less promised that 'soon', all our problems would be gone----within a matter of months, or a few years at the most. (I specifically remember one elder telling my parents that they might only have to wait 5 years to see my sister who died in 1970 of a brain tumor).

1975 of course turned out to be an April Fool's joke gone bad and numerous Witnesses left the Organization. Although this was hugely embarrassing for them as a whole, there is nothing to indicate that Freddie Franz himself was the least bit embarrassed or humbled himself for promoting this farce of a date in the first place. A half-assed 'apology' (if you can call it that) was issued in a 1980 WT article and the men at the top were eager to put the whole sordid mess behind them. Nothing could have prepared them for what was about to happen.

In 1980/1981 several of the Bethel family (and even some who weren't living at Bethel) realized (through reading the bible apart from the Society's literature) that many of the teachings being put forth as 'truth', were nothing but lies. This of course, did not go over very well with several members of the Governing Body as they simply weren't used to having anything they say, questioned. After decades of ruling a fictile flock, they had come to ‘believe their own press' and to question anything they said, was to question God Himself. Free Smiley Face

The fall out and disfellowshipping of these ones, including Ray Franz was the beginning of the clamp down on any dissent in the Organization and the paranoia that ensued gave the Salem Witch Trials a run for its money. Disfellowshipping practices and loyalty to the Organization were top priority and for the most part, worked. We all heard that 'something' bad had happened at Bethel and that a member of the Governing Body had been disfellowshipped for 'apostasy', was mentally deranged and in the clutches of Satan. There was general agreement that Ray was the Judas Iscariot of JWs and the sooner Armageddon came and destroyed men like him, the better off we'd all be. Very few outside of Bethel really knew what had happened and since the GB still controlled virtually all information that Witnesses read, most of us were left in the dark.

Crisis of Conscience of course, blew the lid off all the Governing Body's dirty little secrets and the only thing that saved Ray's life as a human being is the fact that capitol punishment is the one punishment the Borg was not allowed to enforce in this country. Even so, with 1975 forgotten and the 'great apostasy' pushed to the background, the Organization carried on but not with quite as much boasting and bragging as they had in years past. Now they had some egg on their face, even though the vast majority of Witnesses never read Crisis of Conscience and would be facing a 3 Man Kangaroo Court if caught with a copy.

1984 marked 70 years since 1914 and since a generation at the most was 70 or 80 years, Armageddon surely must be right around the corner now right? The late 80s had a couple of incidents that raised the hopes of Witnesses everywhere: 1986 was declared the International Year of Peace and so shouldn't 'destruction be instantly upon them' at any time now? Plus, Mikhail Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan (the Kings of the North and South) seemed to be on pretty friendly terms.....gosh, doesn't this fulfill bible prophecy about them 'sitting down at one table' and speaking lies?

Nothing of course happened and the next few years rolled along fairly uneventfully until the early 1990s. 1994 was 80 years---the official cut off for a 'generation' and where the hell was Armageddon? Why was it taking so long to get here? Aaaaah......here's why: The November 1995 Watchtower, (written directly by Jehovah), explained that the phrase "this generation" didn't really mean 70 or 80 years after all----it really doesn't mean anything and we apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you. Wait a minute-no we don't apologize.....we take that back. Don't worry---Armageddon is reeeeeally, really close now so don't give up!! And for all you brothers and sisters that made life decisions based on Armageddon coming within ‘this generation'-----oh well, too bad, so sad. I guess we can "thank the Lord, even for the mistake."

This was too much for some Witnesses and a slow but steady stream started making their way towards the Exit door. And if that wasn't enough, there was this new form of communication out called 'the internet' which allowed people to access all kinds of information from the privacy of their own homes. Wait a minute! That's no good!! How can you control peoples lives and minds if they can read things that you don't want them to see?! Rrrrrgh.....Articles starting coming out in the WT and Kingdumb Ministry about the evils of the internet but it was too fascinating a tool to ignore and their warnings were, for the most part, ignored.

With the 'generation' doctrine in the toilet and unlimited access to support groups and information about the religion available to anyone around the world, the GB members have panicked right into the 21st century and still try feebly to give stern warning about the internet but it's like closing the gate after the horse has bolted. The internet has exposed the religion as not being from God, but a mish-mash of failed predictions, luck and bizarre theories.

No, they do not have quite the swagger they used to have. Zero percent increase in most developed nations shows that when they now say "jump", more and more are asking "why?" not "how high?"

A News Report About The 2009 Convention

A Letter From Professor George Howard.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?localeid=en_US&c=18tw5wtc.5hsjv8lo&y=z2m5rt&x=0

A Letter Regarding Blood Issue.

A Letter To A Brother Who Inquired about 1914 And The Claim That Fred Franz Was Chosen To Recieve a Rhodes Scholarship.

A page from the 25 December 1940 issue of Consolation magazine.

An article from the September 26 1945 issue of Consolation magazine.

Shunning, A Study In Punishment.

Source - http://web.archive.org/web/20060821084019/users.uniserve.com/~renford/shun.htm

The punishment levied against Jehovah’s Witnesses who by the judgment of men are unrepentant sinners. Sinners deserving of a social and spiritual death. It is said that such punishment is a loving gesture to teach the sinner that they are wrong and that shunning will bring them back to God. Is such a teaching or practice truly a loving gesture, what purpose does it really serve? Is this the way Jesus would have treated fellow humans? A person must ask oneself, if indeed a person is so wicked and evil, why would it be necessary for a ruling of the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses to cut such people off. Surely, if a person did not want to be a part of the religion they would cease associating with the Jehovah’s Witnesses. And on the other hand if one is a true Christian and lives by the principles of the Bible, would not their own conscience tell them not seek out and associate with such evil and wicked people?

Furthermore one must accept the premise that because of the imperfection of men, and the misuse of power, many mistakes in judgment are bound to take place. Meaning that many who are truly repentant are disfellowshipped needlessly, causing tremendous emotional upheaval and mental trauma. Moreover as history and documentation can testify this has happened thousands of times, and in many cases has contributed to the emotional breakdown of such individuals, leading some to suicide, it has also contributed to the breakup of many families. Why is this hard and fast regulation enforced upon people who claim to have the truth of Christianity, when there is so much room for abuse and misjudgment.

The following is an examination into this practice and why it is used, and the effects it can have on human lives. This is a story of some one who was disfellowshipped because they refused to treat their mother in such a manner. They could not bring themselves to shun the person who brought them into the world.

shun - to keep away from; avoid scrupulously or consistently. (Webster’s New World Dictionary) - to keep clear of; avoid. (Funk and Wagnalls Standard Desk Dictionary)

Why It Works

Why would I be afraid of someone who threatened not to talk to me unless I behaved a certain way? Why would I punish someone by not talking to them? Why would people try and try to gain the acceptance of a group who would look right through them without speaking or even acknowledge them when they chance met? What are the rewards for the shunners? What are the rewards for the shunned?

As one who once was associated with Jehovah’s Witnesses, I have shunned and been shunned. I believe many, maybe most, people when exposed to shunning are not attracted to or by it. When the disfellowshipping doctrine is explained to people who are not familiar with Jehovah’s Witnesses practice of shunning they can not believe that such a thing is practiced, they stand there in disbelieve. When I was associated with Jehovah’s Witnesses I remember once a disfellowshipped woman with small children had attended a Thursday night Kingdom Hall meeting that ended about 9:45 PM. She was required to sit in the back and she could not speak to or be spoken to by anyone there. When we left the meeting this disfellowshipped woman was still there after 10:00 PM deep in a residential neighborhood with small children and a broken down car. We all did our duty to the Watchtower and shunned her. We did not offer to help her. I never saw her again.

Why the threat of shunning helped to keep me in line is clearer to me today.

I believe that very night we “freed” the woman with the broken car, but we further enslaved ourselves to the teachings and doctrines of the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society :

For two reasons:

(1) We reinforced each other by participating in a crime. In order for me to accept my own (truly un-Christian) behavior I had to approve, reinforce, accept, and condone the behavior of all the other members of the group. Shunning gave me the illusion of power. The illusion of power to a powerless person is a drug.

(2) The group members modeled for me what they were willing to do in keeping the commands of the Society. For a moment I put myself in that woman’s place, and I knew I didn’t want to be there. Raised by Witness parents and taught by the Society since age seven, all my real security was tied up with a Watchtower ribbon. The thought of leaving the group was unthinkable. Regularly scheduled portions of Kingdom Hall meetings were discussions on disfellowshipping, shunning, and the consequences of leaving “Jehovah’s Organization.”

Shunning means those whom we used to call brothers and sisters we would now pass in the market or street without acknowledging. When I practiced shunning while in the company of another Witness the act of shunning would, in my own eyes, be a witnessed proof of my loyalty to Jehovah. I was on spiritual high ground (a sort of religious “high”). While alone I was less bold when a shunning opportunity would arise, but if I thought that there may be even a chance that another Jehovah’s Witness might be watching I would “play the part” all the way. If it was a private situation, however, I might feel somewhat uncomfortable and maybe even make eye contact and nod.

Why it is Done

As mentioned earlier the reason that this is practiced is to bring people back to their senses as it were. To bring them back to God. However a close study of the practice suggests another reason why this is practiced. It appears that the reason is, control. Anytime you want to control a person or a group of people, the most effective method, is the use of fear. In the case of shunning, because of the fear of the effects shunning can have on people, the individual or group of individuals will submit to the controlling parties, in this case the Governing Body. Absolute control can then be exercised over the people involved. Thus, would this not indicate that this practice is unchristian? For the Bible says that the truth will set you free. How can a person be truly free and exercise ones own conscience if one is made to live in fear of being shunned. Would not our reason to avoid wrong doing be the fear of displeasing God. In all the cases I have observed in 30 years of association, the individuals that were disfellowshipped, were not wicked people, they were imperfect people who had weaknesses.

Shunning as Spiritual Abuse

Recently, during a conversation with another former Jehovah’s Witness, the subject of abuse came up. The question was asked, “Is there any context of involvement with Jehovah’s Witnesses that is not direct abuse, indirect abuse, or a set up for abuse? We batted this around for a couple of hours and concluded that in every situation we could come up with involving Jehovah’s Witnesses there is a real or potential victim. Real or threatened, physical, mental, emotional, and verbal abuse is their power over members and often former members. Fear, guilt, shame, hatred, and later resentment and anger kept me with them selling Watchtowers on street corners, and from house to house.

Shunning is probably the ultimate rejection of anyone as a person and maybe the cruelest mental, emotional, and psychological form of abuse. The results of the shunning by Jehovah’s Witnesses done to people was substantial pain and suffering but only as long as it is allowed to continue.

Shunning is a Drug... ..and drug users need enablers. I've noticed a few things about abusers of people and things. A person who abuses other humans does it for a reason. It is the same as any addiction to a substance or behavior. The addict gets something out of it, a "reward." I have done research on the subject of addiction and have reached some interesting conclusions.

Addicts need a drug , abusers need a victim. Shunners are playing a mind game and they need a playmate who will follow the rules. Shunning is their drug. Abusers need help to carry out their abuse. They need enablers (victims). Without their victims they can not continue to abuse. Watchtower rules for shunning must be followed by both shunner and VICTIM or shunning doesn't work! Shunning is a show. To best work it needs an arena to be played in, and an audience. Emotional abuse hurts just as bad as physical abuse even though the scars are not on the outside.

SUMMARY

It is true that many who have had just thoughts different from the Society have been expelled. Many tried to quietly slip away from the organization, only to be pursued and expelled because their views differed from that of the organization. There are literally thousands of such experiences worldwide. The emotional and mental anguish brought about by such actions have had a tremendous human toll. A toll of helpless anxiety, and emotional stress to the point where many have taken there own lives. Many have been victims of injustice, and are told to wait on Jehovah, and they wait and wait and wait. Many keep asking themselves, if the very ones that God has presumably put there to shepard and protect, do nothing to correct the injustice, how possible can God bless or even support such an arrangement? Many more go onto to ask, are these the actions of true Christians, and is true love evident? The love that identifies true Christians.

Q & A Regarding 1925.

Letter by JF Rutherford To A Radio Station Manager.

1969 Convention Report.

The "Bait And Switch" Tactics Of The Watchtower Society".

By Drew Sagan

I'll begin with a simple question:What exactly is the process that a person undergoes that convinces them that the Watchtower Society has been chosen by God? (eg. is the "faithful slave" of Matthew 24)

It is by knowing this process that I think we can have a better understanding of the Watchtower Society as a whole. Understanding how they interpret that scripture (or misinterpret) is of no real interest to me and I think is a distraction from the bigger issues.

I provide this simple illustration to prove that the "faithful slave" doctrine really is the only one that matters within the JW religion. Think of a JW coming to your house to "teach" you on a Saturday morning. What does he come there to teach you, and how does he present it? No doubt the goal is to convert you on a number of minor topics such as their view of hellfire, the trinity, paradise, the name Jehovah, etc. But I have a very important question for this JW. Will you stop coming to my house once I agree with you on these topics?. The answer of course is absolutely not! This is because while the individual JW believes that the theological issues previously mentioned are the most important thing to convince people in their territory of, there is actually something even more important to their beliefs that they are not vocalizing to the householder. Something that they see as completely vital to their message, but not center stage for their discussions with the public. What is this teaching?

It is the concept that the Watchtower has been chosen by God to restore his true church, warn mankind of impending doom if they do not follow, and to convert people along the way. (e.g. is the "faithful slave" doctrine) No other Watchtower doctrine is as important as this one.

A very basic Bait and Switch

The technique is simple, almost to simple. Sell people one product, but upon delivery provide a different one. The delivered product may resemble the originally offered product. It may sound like it, look like it, taste like it. But no matter how similar the delivered product appears to be to the originally offered product, they are not the same!

This is essentially what has happened to the millions that have joined the Jehovah's Witnesses. People came to their doors and told them that things like hellfire, the trinity, paradise, immortality of the soul and the name 'Jehovah' were the most important things to know about life. They convince people that once they learned the "truth" about these things (and pretty much only these things) they should come down to the Kingdom hall and learn at their meetings. Why are people encouraged to start coming to the meetings once they begin to agree with what they are taught by Jehovah's Witnesses at their door? It is because of one fundamental rule that dominates:

No individual Jehovah's Witness can ever fully convert a potential member

Think about it. Why are Jehovah's Witnesses always encouraging people who begin to agree with them to come to their meetings? It may seem like an obvious question but I think there is some depth here that is often overlooked. I believe that the Watchtower pushes very hard for this because a member is only fully converted by continuously spending time with Watchtower activities. It is the Watchtower that "finishes" the potential member and gets them ready for full conversion, not any individual. No person converts without having regular participation at Watchtower sponsored activities. It is through the meetings (especially the book study and Watchtower study) that a person learns about the Watchtowers teaching that it has been chosen by God. It also just so happens to be a place where questions are answered, but they are not permitted to be asked.

The reason for this is simple. Looking back on my own entry into the Watchtower I cannot point out a specific time when I personally chose to believe the Watchtower was appointed by God. I remember when I agreed that Jesus wasn't part of a trinity, or that there was no immortal soul, or that paradise was real, or all of those typical things. But I have no personal recollection of when I actually said "i have looked at the evidence and i agree, the Watchtower has been chosen by God". That is because It didn't happen that way.

When it comes to the idea that the Watchtower was chosen by God, I was slowly converted over a long peroid of time THIS IS THE SWITCH. The bait is all the teachings about eternal punishment, the trinity, the name Jehovah, paradise, ect. That is all the bait. You accept them sometimes very quickly and with much excitement. The switch is when over time you come to accept a message that was never told to you at the beginning, namely that the Watchtower has been chosen by God. One of my favorite things about the JWs new "Bible Teach" book used with their Bible studies is how there is no mention of the "faithful slave" doctrine whatsoever in it. They are baiting people!!!

It is vitally important to realize that the individual JW never knows that they have been baited and switched. This is why the cycle works. Individual members never realize that what they joined isn't exactly what they were sold at the beginning. It is not the individual member who is truly being deceitful. It is the Watchtower Society that gives the members almost word for word their method of teaching and I believe it is the leaders themselves who are responsible for the way their message is presented in the public.

The Watchtower society doesn't tell it's members to go door to door and proclaim that their religion has been chosen for a divine mission from God. They know most people would laugh at such a message. Putting their all important message in the background is the only way they have at potentially convincing a person down the road that it is true.

Most people know better. Most people know that the Jehovah's Witnesses are not there "just to talk about the Bible". Remember how often we would say to people in the door to door work "we just want to talk about the Bible". It turns out that the people out there were not as dumb as we thought they were. As a matter of fact, they actually knew more about us better than we did. They knew that we were there for more than just Bible talk, and that is why they shut the door in our face.

With the new changes announced it seems that the Watchtower Society is beginning to lessen the load it gives to its members, most likely because they want to make it easier for a people to be labeled as "spiritually strong". With less magazines to read and less meetings to go to it will be especially easier for men to meet the requirements needed to fill leadership positions.

I think that such things are only a drop in the bucket. The Watchtowers biggest problem is that they aren't being truthful with themselves. Why not just accept their message for what it is and proclaim it to the world? The Mormons have had great success doing so. They come to your door telling you of their prophet, who restored the true church and must be followed. I don't believe the Mormons message, but I respect their candid approach much more so than the Watchtowers "bait and switch" trickery.

So there it is. Some of the things I've been thinking of. It's a ton to read but hopefully it's beneficial to somebody. Your comments are much appreciated.

A Few Commands Of Men.

By A Christian(JWN\JWD)





Jesus spoke about religious leaders who insist that others accept their own personal interpretations of the scriptures. He said that God finds the worship of people who do so to be in vain because they teach "commands of men as doctrines." ( Mt.15:9 ) A "command of men," as opposed to a command of God, is a teaching which men insist that their followers accept, even though it is not clearly stated in scripture. I believe Jehovah's Witnesses teach many such "commands of men" as doctrines. Because they do, I believe their worship of God is "in vain." I have here listed some of Jehovah's Witnesses' doctrines which I believe are clearly "commands of men."

1. Jehovah's Witnesses teach that there are two different "classes" of Christians with two different hopes for the future. They tell us that only a small minority of Christians will rule with Christ in his kingdom, and they say that the vast majority of Christians will be subjects of those kingdom rulers. However, the apostles taught that there was only "one hope" for all Christians. (Eph. 4:4-6) The apostles also forbid anyone to teach differently than they taught. Since Jehovah's Witnessers teach differently than the apostles on the issue of how many hopes there are for Christians, their two hopes/ two classes of Christians teaching is clearly contrary to the teaching of the scriptures. The Watchtower Society's insistence that all Jehovah's Witnesses accept and promote this teaching must then be regarded as a "command of men."

2. The Watchtower Society commands Jehovah's Witnesses not to accept blood transfusions. It is widely understood by all Christian groups except Jehovah's Witnesses that the instructions recorded in Acts 15:29, "Keep abstaining from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication," were written as strong advise to new Gentile Christians as a way they could avoid offending Jewish Christians. We know this by reading the context. Acts 15:19, 20 says, "My decision is not to trouble those of the NATIONS who are turning to God, but to write THEM to abstain from things polluted by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood." It is plain that these words were not written as a binding decree imposed upon Christians. We know this because Paul later said that early Christians were, in fact, free to eat things sacrificed to idols ( one of the things Christians were advised to "abstain from" in Acts 15 ) so long as doing so did not stumble their brothers. (1 Cor. 8:4,7-9) We also know this because Paul said that for Christians, "All things are lawful but all things are not beneficial." (1 Cor. 6:12) Thus, Jehovah's Witnesses ban on blood is not scriptural. It must therefore be regarded as a "command of men."

3. Jehovah's Witnesses teach that crime, wars, contagious disease, earthquakes, famine and the like are signs of Christ's second presence and have been much worse since the year 1914 than in past generations. They teach that this proves that Christ returned in that year. The facts show that this is a misunderstanding of scripture. Read Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21 carefully and you will find what Jesus was really saying. His point was that such conditions would exist all the way up to the time of his return and would not be signs of his return at all. He warned his disciples that they should not be worried by such things. He said, "These things must take place but the end will not come right away." (Luke 21:9) He compared the difficult times to come to "birth pains." (Mt. 24:8) For just as a woman must often undergo a long painful period of time before she finally gives birth, so Jesus indicated that our world had much pain to endure before he would finally return. To support their "composite sign of Christ's invisible presence" interpretation of scripture the Watchtower Society has shamelessly played with crime, war, disease and earthquake statistics ever since it first began in an attempt to prove their contentions. The truth is, however, since 1914 none of these problems has gotten worse and most have gotten much better compared to past generations. An objective study of scripture and history clearly shows that the Society's "composite sign" interpretation is not a teaching of scripture. However, the men who run the Watchtower Society command all Jehovah's Witnesses to accept and teach others this misinterpretation of scripture and distortion of history.

4. The name "Jehovah's Witnesses" was taken from God's words to Israel recorded in Isaiah 43:10. For a Christian group to take on such a name clearly conflicts with the teachings of scripture. First, as mentioned, the words spoken by God recorded in Isaiah 43:10 were spoken to the nation of Israel, not to Christians. The Bible tells us that Christians are to be witnesses of Jesus just as the Jews were witnesses of Jehovah. Jesus said, "You will be witnesses of me." (Acts 1:8) And the Bible tells us that it was "by divine providence," by God's own direction, that His people in the post-Jewish age would be known by the name of Jesus Christ. (Acts 11:26 NWT) Thus, instructing Christians to identify themselves by the name "Jehovah's Witnesses" clearly conflicts with the teachings of scripture and must be regarded as a command of men and not of God.

5. Insisting that all Jehovah's Witnesses accept and teach others that Christ returned in the year 1914 is certainly a command of men. Jehovah' Witnesses teach that Daniel chapter four indicates that Christ would return 2,520 years after the city of Jerusalem was destroyed by the ancient nation of Babylon. They say this destruction took place in the year 607 BCE. However, as all those who have studied this teaching of Jehovah's Witnesses in an unbiased way have discovered, this understanding of Daniel chapter four is in conflict with both scripture and ancient history. Insisting that Jehovah's Witnesses accept and teach others this highly questionable interpretation of scripture must then be regarded as a command of men.

6. The same can be said about Jehovah's Witnesses' teaching that the resurrection of all Christians who died before the year 1918 occurred in 1918. Paul said that those who teach that "the resurrection has already occurred" have "deviated from the truth" and "are subverting the faith." (2 Tim. 2:18) Jehovah's Witnesses teach that "the resurrection has already occurred." Thus, according to the apostle Paul they have "deviated from the truth" and "are subverting the faith." Since the teaching that the resurrection has already occurred clearly conflicts with the scriptures, the Watchtower Society's demand that all Jehovah's Witnesses accept and promote this teaching must be regarded as a "command of men."

7. The teaching that Jesus appointed the men who run the Watchtower Society as his "faithful slave" "over all his belongings" in 1919 is certainly not clearly taught in scripture. Thus, it can only be regarded as a teaching of men, not of God. And the Watchtower Society's insistence that all Jehovah's Witnesses accept and promote this teaching must be regarded as a command of men. Without any clear statement in scripture that Christ ever appointed the leaders of the Watchtower Society to such a position, such claims by the Watchtower Society are extremely presumptuous. And the Bible tells us that God hates presumptuousness. (Isaiah 13:11)

8. The Watchtower Society's use of the name "Jehovah" is not scriptural. They have added the name "Jehovah" many times to the text of the New Testament even though they admit that, "…no early surviving Greek manuscript of the ‘New Testament’ contains the personal name of God." ( The Watchtower March 1, 1991 p. 28 ) The Watchtower Society has said that they believe that the writers of the New Testament used the divine name in their original writings but that their original writings were later corrupted. However this contradicts what the Society itself has said. The Society tells us that, "Jehovah God has seen to it that his Word has been protected not only from mistakes copyists made but also from attempts of others to make additions to it. The Bible itself contains God’s promise that his Word would be kept in a pure form for us today." ( You Can Live For Ever in Paradise on Earth, 1982 p. 53 ) So, the fact is that Jehovah's Witnesses had no business inserting the name Jehovah into the New Testament portions of their New World Translations when that name is not found in any early surviving Greek manuscript of the New Testament. Historians tell us that the personal name of God, as used in the Old Testament, was not used in either its written or spoken form for many years before the time of Christ. Because the Jews were afraid overuse of the divine name might amount to "taking the name of the Lord in vain," they actually forbid its use altogether. The Bible tells us that for Christians the name of Jesus should be promoted above every name. (Phil. 2:9) Jehovah's Witnesses do not do this. Their putting the name Jehovah into the New Testament portions of their New World Translations and promoting that name above every name, rather than the name of Jesus as the Bible says Christians should be doing, and insisting that all Jehovah's Witnesses do the same is clearly a "command of men."

9. Jehovah's Witnesses insist that all their members must regularly engage in their work of preaching and disciple making. However, the Bible says that God gave only "some as evangelists" and only "some as teachers." (Eph. 4:11) Though all true Christians are certainly moved to share their faith with others when the opportunity arises, the teaching that all Christians are required by God to regularly serve as door-to-door preachers contradicts the scriptures and so must also be regarded as a command of men.

10. On this same line of thought, the Watchtower Society's demand that all Jehovah's Witnesses who share their faith with others keep track of their time doing so, and then report that number of hours they do so each month to their congregations is also contrary to the teachings of scripture. Jesus said that those who let others know what good works they are doing already have their reward in full. But he said that those who give in secret will be the ones who are rewarded by their father in heaven. (Mt. 6:1-4) All of Jehovah's Witnesses are required to let their elders know exactly how much time they spend preaching. Jehovah's Witnesses who are "Pioneers" let everyone in their congregations know how many hours they preach just by the act of "Pioneering." The Watchtower Society encourages this kind of "trumpet blowing," contrary to the teachings of Christ. Because they do, the Watchtower Society's telling all Jehovah's Witnesses to report the time they spend preaching is not scriptural and must then be regarded as a command of men.

11. Jehovah's Witnesses are not allowed to decide for themselves many minor matters which certainly should be left to an individual Christian's conscience. For instance Jehovah's Witnesses are not even allowed to decide for themselves if they will give their mother a card on Mother's Day or celebrate their child's first Birthday. This is not Christianity. It is legalistic Phariseeism. The Bible says that "Where the Spirit of God is there is freedom." ( 2 Cor. 3:17 ) With this verse in mind, since freedom of action, thought and speech to make decisions for themselves in minor matters such as these does not exist among Jehovah's Witnesses, we can only view the many legalistic prohibitions, which the Watchtower Society imposes on Jehovah's Witnesses, as commands of men not commands of God.

12. Jehovah's Witnesses refuse to let any member of the military or police join their religion even though the first Gentile accepted into the Christian congregation was a Roman army officer. Peter baptized Cornelius without ever demanding that he first resign from the military. (Acts 10) The fact that Jehovah's Witnesses treat baptismal candidates differently than Peter did shows that, in this area also, they teach commands of men as doctrine. ( Matt. 15:9 )

13. Jehovah's Witnesses "disfellowship" people for things never mentioned in the Bible. Jehovah's Witnesses have been disfellowshipped for using tobacco, for celebrating Christmas, for working for a Christian charitable organization and, more and more often today, simply admitting that they doubt the Watchtower Society's claim that it is God's exclusive channel for truth on the earth. Disfellowshipping and then shunning people for such unbiblical reasons clearly shows that the Watchtower Society's instructions to congregational Elders to disfellowship members for such things are commands of men, not commands of God.

14. Jehovah's Witnesses teach that only they are considered by God to be Christians and that only they have any hope of surviving Armageddon. Some of Jehovah's Witnesses actually deny the Society teaches this. However, as well informed member of Jehovah's Witnesses know, they do. As the Sept. 1, 1989 issue of the Watchtower tells us on page 19, "Only Jehovah's Witnesses, those of the anointed remnant and the 'great crowd,' as a united organization under the protection of the Supreme Organizer, have any Scriptural hope of surviving the impending end of this doomed system dominated by Satan the Devil." Jehovah's Witnesses have consistently taught that all members of Christendom's Churches, who are still its members when Armageddon strikes, will be executed by God. This amounts to judging and condemning others in the worst way. Who God accepts as Christians and who he will destroy at Armageddon is a judgment that is God's to make, not ours. Jesus commanded his followers to "Stop judging and you will not be judged," and "stop condemning and you will not be condemned." ( Matt. 7:1; Luke 6:37 ) Jehovah's Witnesses' teaching that God only accepts the worship of Jehovah's Witnesses, only considers them to be Christians and that only they "have any Scriptural hope of surviving the impending end of this doomed system," is not a teaching of Scripture and, in fact, is totally contrary to the teachings of Christ. Thus, the Watchtower Society's instructions to Jehovah's Witnesses that they should accept and promote such judgmental teachings are certainly commands of men and not of God.

15. Jehovah's Witnesses insist that all of its members attend five one hour long meetings every week, as well as various assemblies and conventions throughout the year. If they do not they are considered to be spiritually weak or spiritually sick. Though the Bible encourages Christians to not forsake gathering together, nowhere in the Bible are Christians told that they must attend five meetings a week. Therefore, the Watchtower Society's insistence that all Jehovah's Witnesses do so must also be regarded as a "command of men."

16. The Watchtower Society's teachings on the subject of who will receive a resurrection are clearly corruptions of scripture. Thus their insistence that all Jehovah's Witnesses accept and promote these teachings must be regarded as another "command of men." Jesus said, "A time is coming when ALL who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out - those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned." (John 5:28,29 NIV) However, the Watchtower Society has long speculated back and forth about who will be resurrected and who won't. For instance, they have said, "The men of Sodom will be resurrected." Then, "No they won't." Then, "Yes they will." Then, "No they won't." And so forth. Such foolishness! Jesus plainly said that everyone who has ever lived and died will receive a resurrection. This has made no sense to the Watchtower Society so they have played with Jesus' words. Their NWT Bible has Jesus saying "all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out." They tell us this should be understood to mean all those who are now remembered by God. They tell us that those in "MEMORIAL tombs" refers to those in God's MEMORY. And they tell us that God forgets evil ones who have died so most of them will not have a resurrection. But to all Christians except Jehovah's Witnesses Jesus' words make perfect sense. For they know that Acts 24:15 confirms Christ's words in John 5:28,29 by telling us that "there will be a resurrection of BOTH the righteous and the wicked." And they know that Romans 14:12 says that "EACH of us will give an account of himself to God." They also know that Hebrews 9:27 tells us that "man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment." So, even though Christ's clearly stated intentions to resurrect everyone who has ever lived and died make no sense to readers of the Watchtower, they make perfect sense to readers of the Bible. The Bible indicates that God has no intention of letting evil men who spent their whole lives hurting others pass into eternal rest thinking they got away with their evil deeds. The Bible tells us God intends to bring back all wicked ones from their graves to face condemnation for the way they lived their lives. By the way, the Bible also tells us that the "resurrection of the righteous and the wicked" will take place when the thousand year reign of Christ has ended, not all during those thousand years as Jehovah's Witnesses teach. (Rev. 20:5)

As Jesus said, "It is in vain that they keep worshipping" God "because they teach commands of men as doctrines." (Mt.15:9)

JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES, CREATURE WORSHIP AND ACTIVE PRACTICERS OF IDOLATRY

By Bitter Truth From JWD\JWN.

Jehovah's Witnesses have long practiced idolatry and various forms of "creature worship," now for many years. Although the WTS teaches and has stated many times in their publications that the world in general, by way of such things as "birthday" celebrations, christmas, and other annual events, actually eulogize and extol great glory upon man, the individual himself, and thus, by way of whats known as "creature worship," practice wholesale IDOLATRY!

That's what they teach. However, upon closer examination, we find the JWs do the same thing in reference to the WTS and their leadership. This is a proven fact, that can be easily established for us, in this year now of 2,000.

We recall, JWs are indeed taught and are fully aware of what the Bible teaches about following the "commandments" and "traditions of men," and how the God of the Bible, feels about these things. They quickly point out to members of other religions that the "commandments of men," and the following of the "traditions of man," an an overt act of "idolatry," and "creature worship," since one has overstepped the very Commandment of God's Word, as found in the Bible, and REPLACED it with "man's command," thus rescinding God's Word, the real force of it...thus it becomes a heinous ACT OF IDOLATRY. -- See Matt. 15:9

But, JWs themselves, are often asked to participated in this heinous practice on a "daily basis," everyday in their worship of God...such conduct on a regular basis, practiced year in and year out, and nothing is ever said about. It is "accepted" as a "godly practice", though it is not taught directly in scripture, and even labeled in many instances A REQUIREMENT FOR LIFE, thus forced upon the novice, or newcomer in the organization...the newly baptized disciple for the Jehovah's Witnesses organization.

EXAMPLES:

1. COUNTING TIME. Count all of the literature, books, magazines, hours, return visits, and bible studies each month and make a written record and REPORT it to the Headquarters Staff at Brooklyn Bethel each and every month. Further, each publisher, that's 5-6 million JWs, are REQUIRED TO DO THIS WORLDWIDE! It is a "commandment of men"...pure and simple.

Mark 7:7-9 says:

"It is in vain that they keep worshiping me, because they teach as doctrines COMMANDS OF MEN. Letting go the commandment of God, you hold fast the tradition of men." Further, he went on to say to then: Adroiltly you set aside the commandment of God in order to retain Your tradition."

COUNTING & REPORTING TIME and Keeping Records of it, a unique practice of JWs, actually fits this scenio perfectly.

Jesus taught, when it comes to good works, and the giving of "gifts of mercy" -- ...

'take care NOT TO PRACTICE YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS IN FRONT OF MEN...'

'do not let the left hand know what the right hand is doing...'

'do your good works in SECRET, and your heavenly father, who is looking on in secret, will reward you also in SECRET.' -- [Gist] Matt. 6:1-4

This "commandment" of "counting and reporting time, a longstanding practice of Jehovah's Witnesses, is no where to be found in the Bible itself. First century christians did no such things at all. It is a "commandment" of the WTS! A "commandment of men."

Thus, idolatry..."creature worship!"

2. THEOCRATIC STRATEGY/LYING -- The 1914 Teaching:

It has been long taught, by the WTS Headquarters staff, and in the printed publications, that JWs can indeed "lie" or tell total "untruths" to those "who are not deserving" of an honest answer. This has been practiced in courts in the legal system, and is a common practice today, as indicated by the outright duplicity demonstrated in the "Bulgarian/Blood" situation. This is an established fact.

This has been established procedure for many years now, as can be attested to by reviewing information found in the "Aid to Bible Understanding" and "Insight on Scriptures" publications on the subject of a "Lie." A clear definition of it is given, and gives the basis for what is called "theocratic strategy," wherein the WTS will clearly TELL OUTRIGHT UNTRUTHS to the government officials, and persons of high rank within the government, when it conflicts with ideals, goals and aspirations of the WTS. The also teach their membership to do the same when so confronted.

Jesus said all forms of "lying" comes Satan the Devil." -- See John 8:44

Jesus also promised that "all those lying," "LIKING and CARRYING ON A LIE"... will be given over the total destruction of in the "Lake of Fire," which means the "second death." -- See Rev. 21:8, 22:15

PLEASE NOTE: Also, the "carrying on of a lie", as maintained by WTS and Headquarters staff, can also be seen in the constant and persistent teaching of "1914" Doctrine, which unquestionably is an outright ruse, fable, or "artfully contrived false story," -- a bold face "lie," perpetrated by the WTS upon the world for over 120 years, which cannot be proven from the Holy Scriptures of God! -- 2 Peter 1:16

However, first century Christians can NOT be charged as having taught, any such foolish thing. They have no such Gigantic "Lie", false teaching to their credit, that has been perpetrated over such a long period of time, and finally done in such a totally unrepentant manner as by the WTS.

The 1914 CANNOT be substantiated within the Bible, the Bible does not even mention any such "date" associated the kingship of Jesus Christ. It is not taught in Scripture...this is a "man-made" concoction...a "commandment of men."

One cannot be baptized, nor accepted as one of Jehovah's Witnesses even today, unless he ACCEPTS this teaching by the WTS, as coming from God...even today.

..."commandments of men."

3. COLLEGE EDUCATION/HIGHER LEARNING:

The WTS has taught for many years that the attending of college was a BAD THING...and discouraged tens of thousands from attending a university of any sorts, of higher learning, and gaining a college degree.

To attest to the factualness of this occurence, today, almost all of the Circuit, District, Branch Personnel, Missionaries, Governing Body members, present today, who did not have this opportunity before becoming Jehovah's Witnesses, WILL HAVE TO ADMIT WHEN QUESTIONED, that they are thus, in this most pitiful, pitiable, pennyless, deplorable condition today, all because of "man-made" indoctrination heaped upon them by WTS headquarters staff. Yes, ALL ARE WITHOUT COLLEGE EDUCATION to this day because of this "man-made," human reasoning concoction, "commandment of men," that is clearly not taught in the Scriptures, God's Word. A Fact!

Now, it is totally appropriate and proper for a JW to go to college, if he so chooses. But not so, a few years ago. It was a "sin" to go to college, a few years ago, as taught by the WTS.

...a "commandment of men."

Today, we know, the Bible does not teach nor speak on such a matter about attending a university of higher learning.

But yet, over the past many years, the WTS has enforced this "commandment of men," and even insisted upon making this an "unstated rule" by frequently withholding privileges of responsibility to any who pursued a college education, despite their warnings, privileges that could be held within the organization. This is a fact.

All brothers and sisters in Special Services in the organization today, Special Pioneers, Missionaries, Travelling Overseers, Bethel personnel, all KNOW THIS to be a FACT..and can attest to this to be the situation, the situation, since their very lifes, present state of affairs, actually speaks for them!

They are "uneducated" as a group of people, many in their late 50s, 60s, 70s, and above.

Ask them why, they didn't go to college, and see if the "answer" is not unanimously linked to "counsel" from "Mother Bethel.

"Commandments of men,"...idolatry.

4. The Insidous "Doctrine" of 1975, The End and the "Appropriate Time For God to Act," Teaching.

Many JWs are perfectly aware of the 1975 teaching and the detrimental effects this had upon many associated with the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses. Long before this year, the WTS began pointing forward to this year as the end of 6,000 years of man's existence and the appropriate closeness of the Millenial reign of Jesus Christ, and the dismantling of human governments upon earth.

Particularly, in the latter years, nearing this year, around 1968, years before, the WTS made an urgent push, using many of the Travelling overseers present today, fully emphasize the nearness of the end, especially with the release of the "Truth" book, which today numbers better than 100 million copies distributed worldwide.

With the release of this particular book, it was told to all JWs that a 6-month Bible study program should be implemented...wherein if any person did not show SUFFICIENT interest in the literature or the study, the Bible Student and His Study, SHOULD BE DROPPED IMMEDIATELY! No need to study any further with the individual...no need to tarry...drop the study...the end was too near.

This is a fact!

Many, began to sell their homes, sell their businesses...because the "commandment of men," the WTS, told them the "time was too short."

The "Kingdom Ministry" once printed an article COMMENDING individuals, who had sold their homes and businesses and "moved to serve where the need was greater" ... all because of sensing the nearness of the end and the year of 1975.

Many of us remember these years. In fact, the "Freedom of the Sons of God" release of the mid 1960's actually pointed out about how "appropriate" it would be, to match and coincide the end of 6,000 years of human existence, as of 1975, with the "Millenial rule" of Jesus Christ, and removal of all human governments! This is fact...a printed fact.

The count for baptimal candidates soared...over 300,000 baptised in one year...just before 1975...bringing the total number JWs to over 2 million by the mid-seventies. Kingdom Halls were swelling up everywhere...particularly in the U.S.

Yes, this man-made teaching had affected the lives of many...because 1975 came and went...and nothing happened.

Many became disgruntled...many left the organization. The WTS claimed it never intimated or taught such a thing for many years after that. They wondered at the lack of faith of those who had left.

Within five years from that fate date, a major break-up at Brooklyn Bethel, with several key members of the Bethel staff, Writing Department, a G.B. member, translator...put out of Bethel and, to a large extent, yes bannished, disfellowshiped because of not giving FULL SUPPORT to the "1975 WTS coverup," that was full swing and practice by that time. A fact.

Some would say,

"No, no, the WTS never actually taught or said anything SPECIFIC about 1975, not directly anyway...the brothers made the whole thing up...we never said the end was coming...they never even INFERRED IT...no, no..."

But, ask yourself, was it in fact, a man-made teaching, or not? And, from where did it originate...who thought up the idea, the WTS or the brothers? Which?

Is this date, this "teaching," in the printed publications, highlighted by the WTS?

Five more years later, the year is now, 1985...

5. The change in the Dedication Questions in the Baptism Ceremonies of all JWs worldwide.

Question #2 used to state:

"On the basis of this faith in God and in his provision for redemption have you dedicated yourself unreservedly to Jehovah God, to do his will henceforth as that will is revealed to you through Christ Jesus and through God's Word as His Holy Spirit makes it plain?" (See Wt 1970 pg. 309 par. 20)

New Question #2 (the more improved version)

"Do you understand that your deication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah's witnesses in association with God's spirit-directed organization?" (See 6/1/85 Wt. pg. 30 par. 3,4)

In the new improved question, you are no longer directed by (a) Christ Jesus, (b) The Bible and the leadings of the (c) "holy spirit," of God.

So, how are JWs now led...how? Well, JWs can no longer make the claim they are led by Jesus, the Holy spirit and the bible, no, no, because of the change, yes...since the year of 1985, since they are NOW DIRECTED by the "organization," the "spirit-directed organization," WHICH TAKES THE PLACE of (a) Jesus Christ, (b)The Bible and the leadings of the (c) Holy Spirit of God.

Which Questions posed to the baptismal is MORE BIBLE BASED...which? Which one is a "commandment of men," which?

I think you can answer that one.

Well, that's the improvement of the questions in 1985, five years after the "Bethel Breakup", and 10 years after the "1975 teaching," perpetrated by the "spirit-directed organization," Headquartered in Brooklyn New York. That's the change, that's the improvement.

Yes, these are proven "commandments of men," "traditions of men," yes idolatry, "creature worship" all accepted and practiced by JWs, and the WTS. All neatly, swept "under the rug," and dismissed as "never, ever happening at all." They never made any such changes in their "dedication" ceremonies...this never happened, or it is of "little consequence," to them. Yes, they are free from any involvement of "creature worship," idolatry, worship of man, and his traditions.

This is your history, Jehovah's witnesses, your legacy...your voluntary part, in obeying the "commandments of men."

Your part in "creature worship," idolatry. The worship of man/organization over God.

Letter to My Mother--FINAL!

By Jon from the JWN(formerly JWD) board.

May 29, 2008

My Dear Mother,

I began writing this letter in March of 2006, right after our phone conversation. It’s not that I’ve spent the entire period since then working on it. It has more to do with not knowing how to approach the subject—or whether to approach it at all. Many in my position decide it’s best not to. But I just can’t imagine concealing something this important from you. I want you to have the truth, and I ask that—just as I read every bit of the letter you sent me—you read this in its entirety.

My intent is not to convince you that my way of thinking is the only right one, but instead to demonstrate that my reasons for coming to the conclusions I have are by no means frivolous. I have no problem whatsoever being in disagreement with another person, giving him all due respect for his beliefs. I am however troubled by those who assert that their conclusions are the only right ones, and with whom disagreement brings conflict and estrangement.

Thank you for sending me your point of view two years ago. It was not difficult to comprehend since your point of view used to be my point of view. I now believe that it was a point of view born of living in a sort of bubble. I know I never thought I was in a bubble; indeed I was greatly offended when some non-Witness would suggest such a thing. But now I know it was exactly that.

“We usually believe what we want to believe, and one thing we like to believe is that we do our own thinking. Hence it is not too hard for clever propagandists to make us think their thoughts are ours. They plant the thought and nourish it, but do it so subtly that we may think it is our own.” [Watchtower, June 15, 1956, page 360]

The above comment from the Watchtower could have two applications pertinent to our present difference of opinion. It could apply to me. It could mean that “apostates” have cleverly persuaded me to accept their thoughts—and that they are wrong. It could also apply to you. It could mean that the Watchtower Society has subtly persuaded you to accept theirs—and that they are wrong.

“When anyone is replying to a matter before he hears it, that is foolishness on his part and a humiliation.” [Proverbs 18:13, NWT—underlining added]

Do you agree with the above scripture? If so, would it be right for any individual to conclude that his or her own position must be the correct or morally superior one—without considering all the information?

“Education teaches you how to think. Propagandists tell you what to think. True educators present all sides of an issue and encourage discussion. Propagandists hammer hard on their view and discourage discussion… But even educated, sophisticated persons fall prey to a very unfair and untrue type of propaganda. This type assumes a superior air of dismissal of an opponent’s viewpoint, treating it as rather pathetic and really not worth attention.” [Awake!, August 22, 1978, pages 3 & 4—italics added]

Do you agree that assuming such an “air of dismissal” and discouraging open discussion of all the available information would be “unfair?” I can certainly commend the Watchtower Society for presenting the above. In fact they have often done similarly.

“We need to examine, not only what we personally believe, but also what is taught by any religious organization with which we may be associated. Are its teachings in full harmony with God's Word, or are they based on the traditions of men? If we are lovers of the truth, there is nothing to fear from such an examination.” [The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life, 1968, page 13--underlining added]

This is certainly an admirable position: the Watchtower Society is teaching that we should all have nothing to fear in examining “any religious organization with which we may be associated.” But does the Watchtower Society recommend the same policy for the examination of its own religion? Do they themselves “encourage discussion” that may challenge the things they teach?

“The first essential for study is the right condition of mind and heart, appreciating that Jehovah grants understanding only to the meek, and not to the stiff-necked. If we have love for Jehovah and for the organization of his people we shall not be suspicious, but shall, as the Bible says, 'believe all things,' all the things that The Watchtower brings out…” [Qualified, 1955, page 156]

“We may think of study as hard work, as involving heavy research. But in Jehovah's organization it is not necessary to spend a lot of time and energy in research, for there are brothers in the organization who are assigned to do that very thing, to help you who do not have so much time for this, these preparing the good material in The Watchtower and other publications of the Society. But you do not study enough? Take this suggestion: Often the very best and most beneficial studying you do is that done when you read a new Watchtower or Awake! or a new book with the joy of getting the new truths and a fresh view.” [Watchtower, June 1, 1967, page 338]

“Jehovah is not pleased if we receive that food as though it might contain something harmful. We should have confidence in the channel God is using.” [Watchtower, February 15, 1981, page 19]

“Now, what will you do if you are confronted with apostate teaching—subtle reasonings—claiming that what you believe as one of Jehovah's Witnesses is not the truth? For example, what will you do if you receive a letter or some literature, open it, and see right away that it is from an apostate? Will curiosity cause you to read it, just to see what he has to say? You may even reason: 'It won't affect me; I'm too strong in the truth. And, besides, if we have the truth, we have nothing to fear. The truth will stand the test.' In thinking this way, some have fed their minds upon apostate reasoning and have fallen prey to serious questioning and doubt.” [Watchtower, March 15, 1986, pages 10-15--underlining added]

So, although the Watchtower Society encourages a thorough and open-minded examination of the things taught by a religion, this only applies to religions other than its own. We should “believe all things” they say, leaving most of the study and research to certain “brothers in the organization.” How incongruous it is for them to publish that “if we are lovers of the truth there is nothing to fear” in scrutinizing another religion, but the same sort of examination into Watchtower teachings is something in which “Jehovah is not pleased.” Any suggestion that “what you believe as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses is not the truth” must be considered—not an open minded examination—but instead the devious propaganda of “apostates.”

And why do they discourage “subtle reasonings”? Isn’t “reasoning” what we’re supposed to be doing? Is the word “subtle” supposed to sound scary? Then why do they use the word form favorably in a similar context in this June 22, 2000 Awake?

“A person with discernment perceives subtleties of ideas or things and has good judgment.”

There is no shortage of counsel from the Watchtower Society on the subject of “reasoning” or “judgment.” And it all sounds very rational when they’re encouraging you to listen to their own teachings: ‘All sides should be examined and subtleties perceived; there’s nothing to fear!’ But when it comes to information that may challenge their teachings? ‘Don’t even read it! Don’t be curious! It might contain something subtle! You could fall prey!’

Mom, does this at all remind you of the aforementioned “superior air of dismissal?” For me, it is illogical, circular reasoning and amounts to human assertions rather than any sort of wisdom. Consider…

“This is God’s true organization.”

“If so, why be afraid of hearing out one who disagrees?”

“Because they might lead you away from God’s true organization.”

“But what if these ones are right?”

“They can’t be right since this is God’s true organization.”

“But shouldn’t such an organization withstand honest-hearted scrutiny?”

“It’s thinking like that that has led many away from God’s true organization!”

In examining one of the above Watchtower quotes, we find them actually discouraging readers from the policy that they themselves clearly taught in the Truth book. They even use the same words in perfect contradiction of themselves. Consider…

“We need to examine…what is taught by any religious organization with which we may be associated… If we are lovers of the truth, there is nothing to fear from such an examination.”

“You may even reason: …' if we have the truth, we have nothing to fear...' In thinking this way, some have fed their minds upon apostate reasoning and have fallen prey to serious questioning and doubt.”

So which is it? Should there be “nothing to fear” in examining all of the information about our religion, or shouldn’t there? And what exactly is wrong with “serious questioning” anyway? Isn’t that what we should always be willing to do? Don’t Jehovah’s Witnesses ask those with whom they come into contact to engage in “serious questioning?” And what’s wrong with doubt? Shouldn’t we doubt things that, after considering all the available information, we conclude are without sufficient foundation? Isn’t there something false about the way the Watchtower Society wholeheartedly endorses questioning in the first above quote, but spins it as ‘falling prey’ in the second?

Don’t you expect someone you’re studying with to “doubt” the Trinity doctrine when you show him scriptures and other information that contradict it? Would it be right for the Catholic church to warn all Catholics not to listen to Jehovah’s Witnesses on this and other subjects because it might lead to “serious questioning and doubt?” Wouldn’t a group of Jehovah’s Witnesses laugh at such a warning if they heard about it? Wouldn’t they say, “Well of course the Catholic church doesn’t want them listening to us! Of course they don’t want their churchgoers questioning their doctrines! They’re just afraid they’ll find out the truth!” And if Jehovah’s Witnesses would ridicule such a warning from the Catholic church, why would they not also do the same when the Watchtower Society sends out precisely the same sort of admonition?

Under what circumstances is it wise to disallow yourself the hearing of all sides of an important issue? Mother, if you were fully confident that something were true, but someone disagreed with you, would you feel the need to warn everyone you knew not to listen to that person? And would you take the further step of threatening that you might punish and enforce a group shunning against them if they did listen? If someone did that to you, might you not think they had something to hide?

But they’re referring to looking at information provided by “apostates.” Doesn’t that make a difference? Well what exactly are apostates?

The term comes from a Greek word, which means literally “standing apart.” Strictly speaking, anyone who defects from belief in a religion, political party or any other belief system can be called an apostate from that system. By this definition it is not wrong to call people who once but no longer believe in all the teachings of the Watchtower Society, apostates from their group. Similarly, all current Jehovah’s Witnesses who were once part of another religion are now themselves apostates. Mom, weren’t you a Methodist at one point? Then you are an apostate…from the Methodist church. But how haughty would it be if Methodists branded you an apostate from Christianity itself?

I feel it is incredibly presumptuous and arrogant of the Watchtower Society to assert that someone leaving their organization is also “leaving Jehovah.” Yet I used to say the same thing. It all seemed so simple. We had “The Truth.” We were in association with the sole channel of communication from Him. A group of men in Brooklyn, New York were now taking the lead among Christ’s faithful and discreet slave class. I’d been so convinced that we were right in this, that I simply couldn’t believe someone would leave unless they had a wicked heart or were possessed by Satan. And when it came to field service, it was difficult to imagine why—with everlasting life at stake—so few would listen to our warnings.

Now I find myself in a similar position. I now recognize that these men were not actually what I thought they were. And while, as previously written, I have no problem with my friends and family believing in something I don’t believe in, I am disturbed in knowing they don’t have full freedom to investigate ALL of the facts; facts that could lead them to their own conclusions—instead of merely accepting what the Watchtower Society influences them to. However, just as people at the door would usually not listen to us, so too I know that most active Jehovah’s Witnesses will not listen to me when I suggest they consider the abundant information that exists outside of that Watchtower bubble. But this time there’s a big difference.

The difference is that now my position is based on a willingness to consider all of the information. Doing this was so difficult for me because of the remarkably well executed system by which the Watchtower Society keeps us from all of the information. Basically this involves constant warnings that such might subvert our faith. But the enormity of evidence that the Watchtower Society is not what it purports to be does not challenge a faith in God. So any subversion would be—not of a faith in God—but of a faith in the Watchtower Society as God’s special human instrument.

This thought does in fact occur to many (if not most) active Witnesses. They wonder, “Why, if this truly is God’s sole organization, should we fear examining the views of those who disagree—or those who once agreed but now do not?” What keeps them from asking this question too loudly? What stops them from considering the evidence that it might not be what they think it is? Doesn’t the profound importance of this subject demand that we consider all of the evidence? Mom, shouldn’t any organization claiming to be something as important as “God’s sole channel” be willing to subject itself to an honest-hearted, rational examination?

One way that the Watchtower Society combats this thinking is by branding as “twisted, empty speech” anything that does not confess their leadership as being divinely appointed. Examples are provided of certain accusations made against them that might be frivolous and unfounded. Granted, some accusations may in fact be exercises in opportunistic faultfinding. But an overwhelming amount of information exists that is as well-supported and well-reasoned as anything you’ve ever seen in your life. If it weren’t the Society wouldn’t care so much, would they? And really what should be the yardstick in determining what information is and is not relevant? Should we as adults, with the minds God gave us, not be in a position to judge for ourselves what is truth? Or should we just hand this judgment over to the Watchtower Society—those themselves who are threatening you to listen only to them?

“Keep testing whether YOU are in the faith, keep proving what YOU yourselves are. Or do YOU not recognize that Jesus Christ is in union with YOU?” [2 Corinthians 13:5, NWT—underlining added]

But how can you ‘keep testing and proving’ your beliefs when your religious leaders are constantly warning you not to take into account information that may challenge these beliefs? When they go so far as to discourage any independent Bible study? Historically the Society has applauded the example of the Beroeans…

“…for they received the word with the greatest eagerness of mind, carefully examining the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so.” [Acts 17:11, NWT—underlining added]

But, as you may be aware, for some time now they have strongly discouraged their followers from this very endeavor. In the September 2007 Kingdom Ministry the Society chastises those who “…have formed groups to do independent research on Bible-related subjects.” How possibly do they attempt to make the case that something so essential to Christianity is wrong?

"In the first century, the apostle Paul warned about getting involved in exhausting, time-consuming subjects, such as "genealogies, which end up in nothing, but which furnish questions for research rather than a dispensing of anything by God in connection with faith." (1 Tim. 1:3-7) All Christians should strive to "shun foolish questionings and genealogies and strife and fights over the Law, for they are unprofitable and futile."—Titus 3:9.”

They caution the flock to confine any biblical examination to their own publications, and that anything else is “foolish,” completely misapplying the above scriptural references.

Active Witnesses are met with another barrier keeping them from considering information critical of their organization: the terrifying fear of being disfellowshipped—cut off from their family and friends if the result of any investigation were to lead to the conclusion that the Society isn’t what it says it is. What an effective device! Fear of abandonment. Of course the Watchtower Society favors the perspective that it is not they who are abandoning you, but you who are abandoning Jehovah. Never mind that there may be nothing further from your thinking. You see to them “faith in Jehovah” equals “faith in the Watchtower Society.” Even if you made the decision to be baptized when you were twelve years old, you are still held as a wicked apostate, as if any twelve year old (or teenager) can comprehend the facts sufficient to dedicate his or her life to the belief that a group can be “God’s true organization.”

And so it goes like this…

1) We are discouraged from looking at information critical of the Watchtower Society, being told that it is dangerous and can destroy our faith.

2) We are told that any such information is ridiculous and unfounded anyway, which persuades us not to waste our time with it.

3) We are in effect threatened that, if we were to become convinced that the Watchtower Society isn’t what it claims to be and admit as much, we would be branded as wicked enemies of God, and would be cut off from our families and our entire community of friends.

You have to make it through these three layers of propaganda and institutional manipulation in order to finally give yourself permission to conduct an objective investigation into this organization. It’s an awful lot to have to go through for the simple right to use your head.

This authority exercised over Jehovah’s Witnesses by representatives of the Watchtower Society is comparable to that of the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. It was this legalistic authoritarianism that he warned against perhaps more than all other things.

“Watch out for the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 But there is nothing carefully concealed that will not be revealed, and secret that that will not become known. 3 Wherefore what things YOU say in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what YOU whisper in private rooms will be preached from the housetops.” [Luke 12:1-3, NWT]

Mom, there are “secrets” that should rightfully be “revealed” about the Watchtower Society. They have done terrible things “in the darkness” that they are trying with all of their might to suppress. I’m not just talking about “mistakes.” They are things that you would be immediately expelled for had you done them. But not only do they refuse to apologize for them, they also try desperately to cover their tracks so you won’t find out and put two and two together. More about this later. A little more on this concept of “apostates.”

A few hundred years ago in United States’ history, there developed a concern about “witches.” This concern escalated into a sort of hysteria over them. Hundreds were accused, dozens languished in jail for months, nineteen were hanged and one man over eighty years old was crushed to death by heavy stones for refusing to submit to a “witch trial.” People who didn’t really know what a “witch” was became fearful that they’d be accused. The hysteria resulted in many people being wrongly indicted. To deflect attention some concocted stories about others, accusing them of being “witches.”

So this word, “witch,” struck fear in the hearts of people. They knew that the community leaders were whipped up into a frenzy about witches. They knew that those found to be “witches” would be publicly executed. The word, “witch,” developed an exaggerated meaning and took on a life of its own. From all available accounts, there was no legitimate witchcraft being practiced by those so accused, but where such a powerful word was concerned, it seemed simply being accused as a “witch” was enough to get people thinking you were one.

The same thing has happened with this term “apostate” among Jehovah’s Witnesses. Please recognize that nearly all first century Christians, including every one of the twelve apostles, were apostates…from Judaism. Did this mean they had left their God? Wouldn’t you say that their apostatizing was a good and even necessary thing?

The Christian apostate was one who had previously accepted Christianity but who had willfully left the teaching in favor of serving other gods and moving others to do so. But, since the Watchtower Society declares there is no legitimate Christianity outside its organization, when people leave them they are not merely apostates from their group—but apostates from Christianity itself. It matters not that such ones may still follow and profess their faith in Christ. The organization has infused this word with its own special meaning. One that arrogantly asserts there is no faith in God apart from faith in the Watchtower Society.

One thing I’m appreciative of is having been brought up in an environment that embraced people of all races. While I know others have had different experiences with racism in the organization, I remember mine as having been positive, and I’m thankful not to have been burdened by the heavy racial stereotypes so many have been indoctrinated with. For instance, I know a couple of perfectly intelligent white people today who, although showing themselves to be very rational thinkers, cannot seem to abandon the use of the “N” word when referencing persons of the black race. When young they learned this word along with so many negative beliefs associated with it. While they find many black people who do not correspond to these beliefs, they find others who do, and in the end they find just what they need in order to hang on to these stereotypes they learned and accepted so early in life. For many years, this word has been used by white people to, in ways big and small, keep feeling superior to blacks. To keep them down. It doesn’t require an explanation. It’s just a label that launches a quick, powerful message.

While I commend those associated with the Watchtower organization who have been determined to embrace all races, I also see how they have often used language to similarly launch powerful stereotypes against those who will not submit to their authority. A person who concludes this organization is not God’s chosen instrument is not a Christian apostate. But in using this term, similar to the use of the “N” word, the Society is able to condemn people, and effectively threaten remaining members from speaking to them.

Most Witnesses don’t really appreciate the actual meaning of “apostate.” It’s just a word that inspires fear. They know that the Society has scathing words of denunciation for any who suggest they don’t represent the sole channel of communication from God. They know that such ones are disfellowshipped and often shunned. In the presence of such frightful things, is it likely that most Witnesses will decide to question the Society’s accusation that such ones are wicked persons? No. Sadly, they usually accept the perspective provided by the Watchtower Society itself.

In your letter to me, you make several statements about “apostates.”

“The ones who are trying so hard to disgrace it and spend so much time trying to convey to others how terrible the WT Society is, aren’t governed by love, but by hate and that hate and discontent will eat them up.”

I have some questions for you.

Does a person need to be “trying so hard to disgrace” the Watchtower Society in order for him or her to be labeled an “apostate” by them?

No. All a baptized Witness must do is decide they no longer recognize the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society as representing the sole channel of communication from God, and they are considered an apostate according to Watchtower teaching. Most people who wake up to the facts concerning the Society do not spend time trying to convey “how terrible the WT Society is.” On the contrary, many live in fear that someone will find out their true feelings and that they will be cut off from their families for simply following their own consciences. But it doesn’t matter, does it? Regardless of their actual disposition, the Watchtower Society will characterize them as “self-styled teachers” “who by smooth, deceptive speech “cause divisions and occasions for stumbling...””

But what about those who do spend time trying to shed light on the facts regarding the Society? If you believed your friends or family were being deceived by a religious organization, wouldn’t you want them to know? Isn’t such an effort an important reason why Jehovah’s Witnesses themselves speak to their friends and family about their religion? When speaking to (for example) Catholics, haven’t you, throughout your life, tried to show them how they were being deceived? Why is this different? In so doing, were you “governed by hate?”

Mom, the fact that I have allowed myself permission to consider all the available information pertaining to the Watchtower Society—and that I no longer allow these men to exercise authority over me—does not mean that I’m trying to be a “teacher” or that I am looking for some type of “glory” or that I am “persecuting” anyone, any more than it means such of you when you try to show someone from another religion how you think they are being misled.

“It is not persecution for an informed person to expose a certain religion as being false.” [Watchtower, November 15, 1963]

But this illustrates how the Watchtower Society has been successful in manipulating the thinking of its followers. Consider…

When one of Jehovah’s Witnesses speaks out against any other religion, it is “a fine Christian witness” of “exposing the lies of false religion.”

But when a person speaks out against the Watchtower Society, they are “enemies of true worship,” who will slyly try to deceive with “slander and half truths,” which will only result in a “quick-spreading spiritual death.”

This amounts to a classic ad hominem argument. It is a biased assertion that simply attacks an opponent rather than addressing the substance of the argument. The Society only rarely addresses the evidence that one in disagreement with them is an enemy of God. Any who merely disagree with certain Watchtower interpretations or policy are labeled as being criticizers of “the way Jehovah is having his work done,” when actually the issue is whether there is proof that it is Jehovah who is causing the organization to act as it does.

The Watchtower organization has, especially from the time of Rutherford until this very day, waged war against all other religions. “Religion is a Snare and a Racket!!” they proclaimed throughout the streets. In 1956, Brother Knorr yelled out to more than 30,000 Witnesses, “Christendom must be cut down and thrown into the fire!” Whether a religion espouses Christianity or some other system of belief, they assert that it is “whorish,” “deserving of the fiery expression of Jehovah’s wrath,” and “fit for destruction.”

Mom, it’s impossible to deny that the Watchtower Society has spent a great deal of time “trying to convey to others how terrible” other religions are. So why should we not consider the Society as being ‘governed by hate?’

The only possible answer is that, at some point in your life, you became convinced that those in association with the Watchtower Society had been chosen as God’s spokesman, and as such they have the right to say what they will, while other religions do not. Any attacks made by them would be righteous, while any made against them would be evil. And while this can certainly be considered “a cheating pair of scales,” (Prov. 11:1) it is still your right to conclude such a thing. Yes, you are entitled to make decisions about what you believe and what you don’t. But so is everyone else, aren’t they?

You and I are both human beings, and as is the case with every single other person alive, we have the right to make decisions and choices. To use our minds in coming to conclusions about what we will believe. It’s certainly a fact of life that different people will often come to different conclusions. But what do you do when you find disagreement with someone? I think you’d agree that most reasonable, well-adjusted people will present their point of view, listen to the opposing point of view, and, if no harmony is found, agree to disagree. The problem comes when some people feel so strongly that everyone should accept their viewpoint on things, that they become angry with those who disagree, and try to cause them trouble.

Imagine a group of children among whom a disagreement develops. One of them tries to get the others to join his side in opposition to another child. The first child may try to get the others not to play with or talk to the second. Would the Watchtower Society condone this behavior? No, but they will reserve the right—not only to excommunicate someone who questions their authority—but to enforce a complete shunning on him. No one will play with or talk to him. Is this really what the scriptures teach?

“But now I am writing YOU to quit mixing in company with anyone called a brother that is a fornicator or a greedy person or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner, not even eating with such a man… Remove the wicked [man] from among yourselves.” [1 Cor. 5:11&13, NWT]

Since the man to which Paul here referred was deliberately carrying on grossly sinful behavior, the congregation was advised not to be “mixing in company” with him—or anyone like him. It says nothing about not speaking to him.

“..withdraw from every brother walking disorderly and not according to the tradition YOU received from us… But if anyone is not obedient to our word through this letter, keep this one marked, stop associating with him, that he may become ashamed. And yet do not be considering him as an enemy, but continue admonishing him as a brother.” [2 Thess. 3:6, 14, 15, NWT]

Wait a minute… “Continue admonishing him as a brother?” How can you continue to do this if you have been warned never to speak or have any dealings with him or her? The truth is that the concept of shunning as practiced by the Watchtower Society is quite different from the ‘withdrawal’ practiced by first century Christians. Since the above scripture proved troubling to the Society’s teaching on shunning, they invented the spin that while the verses in 1 Corinthians refer to shunning, the verses in 2 Thessalonians must be referring to a situation in which a person has done something wrong—but not quite bad enough to require a full shunning.

But isn’t there a scriptural principle that does teach Christians not to speak to certain ones?

“Everyone that pushes ahead and does not remain in the teaching of the Christ does not have God . . . If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, never receive him into your homes or say a greeting to him. For he that says a greeting to him is a sharer in his wicked works.” [2 John 9 – 11, NWT]

So the only time the scriptures teach Christians shouldn’t “say a greeting” to someone is when they “bring” something other than “the teaching of the Christ.” But so many of those whom the Watchtower Society would have you believe are “apostates” are doing no such thing. The disfellowshipping of those who’ve decided the Society isn’t “God’s sole channel” is simply one way they try with all their power to preserve their authority. How evil is that?

Further on this, it appears that—even though the Bible does indicate we shouldn’t “say a greeting” to such ones—it does not constitute the institutional shunning the Watchtower Society enforces today. Consider: In the book of Job, Jehovah becomes engaged in a controversial discussion with Satan, the first and greatest of the real apostates. Jehovah sent his prophets to those He himself described as an “apostate nation,” “renegade sons.” He was willing to “set matters straight” with them. Jesus didn’t hesitate to answer Satan when tempted by him—nor the religious leaders whom he called “offspring of vipers” and murderers of God’s messengers. His apostles followed this example, not only with the religious leaders but with persons who professed Christianity and who advanced what the apostles considered false teachings or who sought to lead other Christians astray.

So the Watchtower Society falsely brands people as “apostates” of Christianity, and they impose a draconian shunning upon them, threatening even their own family members not to speak with them. Why do you suppose they really do this?

You have to be willing to consider the possibility that the Society’s repeated warnings about former Witnesses, whom they like to call “apostates,” turns out to be Watchtower propaganda that does not protect you from being misled. Rather, it prevents you from noticing that you are already being misled by the organization itself.

You also write, “Please, please don’t go along with the apostate’s thinking and working against Jehovah, you can’t win, my son.”

Mother, there is no grand organization of “the apostates” as the Society might want you to believe. In your letter to (my daughter) you make reference to “the apostate group.” If you could examine this for yourself, you would see that those who leave the Watchtower Society do not enroll in any “apostate group.” While I have heard of organized groups who try to provide support to shunned Witnesses, I have never been in contact with one—nor have I found them widely publicized. So let’s be clear: neither (my daughter) nor I are involved with any group. And there is no “apostate’s thinking.” There are good people just like you and me, with a variety of mindsets, who have come to see that they were never really walking in Christ’s footsteps, but instead in those of a religious publishing company. The idea that this is somehow “working against Jehovah” is ridiculous. And, dear, you can’t win if you believe salvation comes from following man.

You write, “Think of all those that have tried in the past and where are they now?”

Mom, do you know where they are? Probably not, right? And the reason you don’t know is because the Watchtower Society officially commands you not to speak to them. This is not to suggest that every single person who has left the Watchtower organization has gone on to a life bursting with happiness. I’m sure plenty have left for purely selfish reasons. But there exists an enormous number of good people who’ve gone on to lives that are far richer and truly happier.

You just can’t believe that, can you? Neither could I, until I woke up. The Society indoctrinates people with so much, including the idea that their followers “are the happiest people on earth.” Not true, mother. Not true. So many researchers throughout the world have conducted studies revealing that the rate of depression and mental illness among Jehovah’s Witnesses is shockingly higher than average. The following is taken from the book, “Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Problem of Mental Illness,” by Jerry Bergman, Ph.D.

“Licensed therapist Montague monitored the admissions to state and private mental hospitals, and local mental health clinics in Ohio from 1972 to 1986.[21] From this data (n=102) he estimated that "The mental illness rate of JW's is approximately 10 to 16 times higher than the rate for the general, nonWitness population [and that]...about 10% of the publishers (full members) in the average congregation are in serious need of professional help...[although they are often] able to hide this fact quite well, especially from outsiders." [22] From his intensive interviews with Witness patients and others, Montague concluded that persons who had emotional problems were attracted to the Witnesses but Watchtower involvement also caused many of the emotional problems that they suffered. This is evident from the fact that many with problems reported they were far happier after they left.

Another study was completed by Potter [23] as part of his Ph.D. thesis on religion and mental health. He concluded that there exists "a strong positive correlation between Witness membership and clinical schizophrenia."

In addition, a German study by Elmer Koppl [25] also came to similar conclusions as did a study by Norwegian psychologist, Kjell Totland [26] Using Oakland County court records from 1965 to 1973, Bergman concluded that not only is the mental illness rate above average, but the suicide and crime rates are also high, especially aggressive crimes against persons [27] This is the extent of published empirical studies about the mental health of Jehovah's Witnesses, an area in which a need exists for more research.

Jehovah's Witnesses who have mental difficulties are typically ashamed of them because they often believe good Witnesses do not become mentally ill. Due to the fear that their illness may bring reproach upon the Watchtower, they not uncommonly are not open with a therapist or researcher about their problems. Often they will undergo intense suffering to protect the Watchtower reputation. [31] When a Witness becomes "mentally ill," regardless of the reason, much personal guilt results because of the belief that faithfulness to the Watchtower will usually protect one from emotional problems. Witnesses often believe that mental problems are evidence of personal shortcomings that are usually religious in nature. Active Witnesses are instructed to believe that "if I am not happy, I must not be pleasing God or doing what God desires of me" as interpreted by the Watchtower [32]”

Mom, there are so many more studies bearing out the same thing. But active Witnesses don’t face it, because they are so wrapped up in the mental and emotional manipulation and propaganda that exists within the Watchtower bubble.

You write, “As Peter said at John 6:66-69 ‘who would we go away to?’”

And to whom was Peter referring? Please answer… You must know that he was referring—not to a body of men—but to Jesus himself, don’t you? The fact that you can read that scripture and come away with the thought that your salvation requires allegiance to these men, (and that’s what it is, mother,) demonstrates the degree to which the human mind can be manipulated—just like mine was.

“No one comes to the Father except through the men who claim to speak for me.”

Look right to you? Jesus actually said…

“No one comes to the Father except through me.” [John 14:6, NWT]

It is perhaps one of the greatest ironies I will ever witness in my life. More than all other religions I know, Jehovah’s Witnesses ardently emphasize the need to flee from idolatry. No crosses, no holidays, no national emblems… Don’t hang posters of pop culture icons, don’t emulate “worldly” athletes or celebrities… Jehovah’s Witnesses are intensely concerned about committing idolatry, but they cannot see that their devotion to the Watchtower Society is as idolatrous as a thing could be.

“Furthermore, there is no salvation in anyone else, for there is not another name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must get saved.” [Acts 4:24, NWT]

“Jesus said to him: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” [John 14:6, NWT]

“…survival of individuals today depends on their faith and their loyal association with the earthly part of Jehovah's universal organization.” [Watchtower, May 15, 2006]

And this is the reality, isn’t it? Consider: a Jehovah’s Witness is considered “spiritually strong”—not because of what they say or do about and for Jehovah or Jesus Christ, but about what they say or do about and for the organization itself. When a person is being questioned over supposed “apostasy,” these Society representatives do not care one iota what they say or believe about Jehovah or Jesus! Obedience and submission to the Watchtower Society is all that matters in such a situation!

This is an extraordinary deviation from the scriptures, and a shocking apostasy from the faith Christ established. I remember your talking to me about idols when I was a little boy; about the importance of not involving “things” in one’s worship. I even recall your remarking how some people will say, “I’m not worshipping the object itself. It’s just something I like to use; something through which I pray to God.” You made clear that Jehovah did not tolerate such “things.”

When Jesus compared Himself to Moses’ copper serpent, what was his point? That we had to keep looking at him (Jesus,) right? When He says, “No one comes to the Father except through me,” who is “me?” The scriptures go to great lengths to emphasize the importance of fixating on Christ and the folly of putting your trust in men.

“Now to me it is a very trivial matter that I should be examined by YOU or by a human tribunal.” [1 Cor. 4:3, NWT]

“Do not put YOUR trust in nobles,

Nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs.” [Psalm 146:3, NWT]

“Not that we are the masters over YOUR faith, but we are fellow workers for YOUR joy, for it is by [YOUR] faith that YOU are standing.” [2 Cor. 1:24, NWT]

But it’s okay. You’re not really putting your faith in the men at the Watchtower Society. You’re just putting your faith in Christ through them, aren’t you? Does this remind you of the aforementioned warning about idolatry you yourself gave to me? Don’t think this applies to you? Then ask yourself: Is it possible for you to successfully put your faith in Jesus without having this reliance upon and allegiance with the Watchtower Society? If you answer “no,” how can you not recognize this relationship with the organization as being idolatrous?

They are not simply “fellow workers for your joy.” Regardless of what C.T. Russell originally intended, they have become a centralized religious authority structure that demands “loyalty” to them, threatens disloyalty to them, and teaches that there is no faith in God apart from faith in them. When Jesus warned to watch out for the “leaven” of the Pharisees, why do you think He used that word? Isn’t it because, despite the best of intentions, human authority structures breed corruption just like a growing yeast? Jesus saved his greatest denunciation for religious leaders, and told us instead to put our faith in Him. If this organization’s leadership and their appointees are not “masters over your faith,” WHO ARE?

As for this exclusivist concept of Christianity promoted by the Watchtower Society…

“What I mean is this, that each one of YOU says: “I belong to Paul,” “But I to A·pol´los,” “But I to Ce´phas,” “But I to Christ.” 13 The Christ exists divided. Paul was not impaled for YOU, was he? Or were YOU baptized in the name of Paul?” [1 Cor. 1:12 & 13, NWT]

This is important. Are you absorbing what this and the other scriptures are saying? In whose name were you baptized, mom? Well I know you were baptized in the 1950’s, so no doubt at your baptism you were asked the following questions as published in the Watchtower of August 1, 1966 on page 465…

“(1) Have you recognized yourself before Jehovah God as a sinner who needs salvation, and have you acknowledged to him that this salvation proceeds from him, the Father, through his Son Jesus Christ?

(2) On the basis of this faith in God and in his provision for salvation, have you dedicated yourself unreservedly to God to do his will henceforth as he reveals it to you through Jesus Christ and through the Bible under the enlightening power of the holy spirit?” (Underlining added.)

These are the same questions asked of me when I was baptized in 1983. So we publicly acknowledged our dedication to God, and that our salvation comes through Jesus. You and I took no oath to the Watchtower Society, nor to any group of humans. But guess what happened? The Watchtower of June 1, 1985 on page 30 shows that the Society created its very own type of baptism with a revision of the former questions.

“On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?

The second is:

Do you understand that your dedication and baptism identify you as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in association with God's spirit-directed organization?” (Underlining added.)

It takes no small amount of chutzpah to insert a human organization into these vows that are supposed to have nothing to do with human leaders and everything to do with Christ.

In the recent book the Watchtower Society released, “What Does the Bible Really Teach?” in chapter 18, they list six things they regard as requirements for Christian baptism. They include having a formal study with a Witness, officially becoming an “Unbaptized Publisher,” and demonstrating ones Bible knowledge to Witness elders. But how can we reconcile this with Acts 10:34-48 in which Peter speaks less than two hundred words to Cornelius whereupon he and his entire family are immediately baptized? Or with Acts 16:11-15 in which Lydia and her household were baptized after listening to one session of Jesus’ disciples speaking? Or with Acts 16:25-34 in which a jailer and his family were baptized “without delay” after one late-night discussion with Paul and Silas?

Whatever reason they supply for needing these “baptism requirements,” one thing is clear: they have gone “beyond the things that are written.” There is no other possible conclusion than that, in so doing, they are able to seize more control over those in the congregations. We are not supposed to be baptized in the name of Paul or Cephas or anyone other than Jesus Christ. But the Society now requires people to acknowledge the organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses in their baptism vows. Way, way, wayyy beyond “the things written.”

Further…

“John said to him: “Teacher, we saw a certain man expelling demons by the use of your name and we tried to prevent him, because he was not accompanying us.” 39 But Jesus said: “Do not try to prevent him, for there is no one that will do a powerful work on the basis of my name that will quickly be able to revile me; 40 for he that is not against us is for us.”” [Mark 9:38 – 40, NWT]

This principle, clearly stated by Jesus, stands in stark contrast to what the Watchtower Society teaches. Indeed they teach ‘anyone not with us is against us.’ Any Witness seeing this scripture is usually bothered by it, so he or she will pull out the reference materials to look for the Society’s understanding. They will find the assertion that this principle was apparently only applicable to a very limited period of time—and not after Pentecost 33 C.E.—although Christ suggests no such thing.

Directly before the aforementioned scripture is another account of the apostles “arguing on the road,” after which Jesus teaches…

“If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of all and minister of all.” [Mark 9:35, NWT]

This scripture is considered to have application right until this day—unlike the one immediately adjacent to it that contradicts Watchtower teaching and therefore must be “explained.”

Further, Matthew 12:30 is brought out, which reads, “He that is not on my side is against me.” Is this a contradiction? Not at all. The man who was expelling demons through Jesus’ name was certainly demonstrating he was ‘on Jesus’ side’—even if he was not a part of what the apostles thought was their approved group. In opposition to the principle Jesus established, the Watchtower Society in effect teaches: It doesn’t matter what they say or do. It doesn’t matter how much they try to apply Jesus’ teachings or help others in imitation of him. If he isn’t “with us,” namely a full-fledged, meeting-going, hour-reporting, Watchtower-studying Jehovah’s Witness who has submitted himself to a Watchtower Approved baptism, then he is neither approved by Jehovah nor Jesus Christ. There can be no sharing between this reality and what Jesus actually taught.

This brings to mind the subject of presumptuousness. I can recall during talks at the Kingdom Hall and at conventions, speakers describing the attitude of those within other religions as being “presumptuous.” “How presumptuous of them!” they’d say, accusing them of wrongly concluding that they had God’s approval and backing.

“Beware of Presumptuousness!

WHO does not want to avoid making mistakes? They can be quite embarrassing, often costly and so regrettable! Do we want to avoid distressing errors? Then we must guard against a trait that easily leads to them. We must beware of presumptuousness!

What is presumptuousness? It is “assuming a prerogative, privilege, or permission without warrant”; “overstepping due bounds”; “readiness to presume in conduct or thought.” Indeed, presumptuousness makes a person proceed according to his own ideas and makes him resist counsel or correction.

But who are the presumptuous ones? Are they only the obviously wicked? Who really needs to beware of presumptuousness?

Presumptuous Persecutors

Foremost among mankind’s presumptuous ones are the persecutors of God’s people. They insist that they, rather than Jehovah, should be obeyed. Could any act of presumption exceed that?” [Watchtower, January 15, 1984, page 10, underlining added]

But how is it the Watchtower Society is exempt from this judgment of presumptuousness? Do they not claim to be the instrument used by “God’s sole channel of communication?” Why are they different?

Let’s examine the statement, “…presumptuousness makes a person proceed according to his own ideas and makes him resist counsel or correction.” But “counsel or correction” from whom? Within the organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Society has often claimed that the correction is coming from Jehovah, but that it is being delivered through them—His “visible, earthly organization.” Their message is—and always has been—“People, people! Stop being so presumptuous. Be humble enough to submit yourselves TO US.” Is this not in itself the height of presumptuousness? They misled people into believing that Armageddon was coming in six particular years! They were wrong every time! There is nothing that qualifies them for the position they claim for themselves. It is they who are “overstepping due bounds.”

They have tried to escape scrutiny for this by describing themselves like expectant ones of the first century who were eager in their desire to see God’s Kingdom come. But the Watchtower Society was not merely asking the simple question: “Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time.” They were proclaiming these dates as if God Himself were proclaiming them…

“The date of the close of that ‘battle’ is definitely marked in Scripture as October, 1914. It is already in progress, its beginning dating from October, 1874.” [Watchtower, January 15, 1892--underlining added]

“We see no reason for changing the figures — nor could we change them if we would. They are, we believe, God’s dates, not ours. But bear in mind that the end of 1914 is not the date for the beginning, but for the end of the time of trouble.” [Watchtower, July 15, 1894--underlining added]

“…in light of the foregoing, Scriptures prove that the Spring of 1918 will bring upon Christendom a spasm of anguish greater even than that experienced in the Fall of 1914.” [The Finished Mystery (SS-7), 1917 ed., p. 62]

“The fact of our Lord’s second coming is definitely settled by the Scriptures… The Scriptures show that his second presence was due in 1874… This proof shows that the Lord has been present since 1874… The indisputable facts, therefore, show that…the Lord’s second presence began in 1874.” [Watchtower, March 1, 1922--underlining added]

“The date 1925 is even more distinctly indicated by the Scriptures than 1914.” [Watchtower, September 1, 1922]

"This chronology is not of man, but of God. Being of divine origin and divinely corroborated, present-truth chronology stands in a class by itself, absolutely and unqualifiedly correct...." [Watchtower, July 15,1922--underlining added]

I always knew there were some quotes like that, but I never understood how their predictions regarding dates vacillated so much—nor did I appreciate how very forcefully they were advanced. (And believe me, there are hundreds of them.) When faced with others telling me about such quotes, I used to excuse it by saying that Jehovah’s Witnesses have never claimed to be prophets. But now I know this is untrue.

“Who is this prophet? ... This "prophet" was not one man, but was a body of men and women. It was the small group of footstep followers of Jesus Christ, known at that time as International Bible Students. Today they are known as Jehovah's Christian witnesses…” [Watchtower 1972 April 1 p.197 “They Shall Know that a Prophet Was Among Them”]

“…the "prophet" whom Jehovah has raised up has been, not an individual man as in the case of Jeremiah, but a class. The members of this class are, like the prophet-priest Jeremiah, wholly dedicated to Jehovah God through Christ and, by the begettal of Jehovah's holy spirit, they have been made part of "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for special possession." [Watchtower 1982 October 1 p.27 Be as Men Who Are Facing Har-Magedon Unafraid]

So they have called themselves prophets, but to avoid scrutiny they have often repositioned the meaning of that term. When accused of being false prophets, they have explained that they never meant to suggest they were inspired and infallible prophets, and this should excuse them from any criticism over mistakes and miscalculations. Note this explanation…

“To such remnant of faithful servants of Jehovah God Christ Jesus has entrusted all “his goods”, or earthly interests of the Kingdom. This does not signify that the faithful remnant or society of Jehovah’s anointed witnesses are an earthly tribunal of interpretation, delegated to interpret the Scriptures and its prophecies. No; Christ Jesus the King has not entrusted that office to them. THE SUPREME COURT STILL INTERPRETS, thank God; and Christ Jesus, the Court’s official mouth-piece of interpretation, reserves to himself that office as Head of Jehovah’s “faithful and wise servant” class. He merely uses the “servant” class to publish the interpretation after the Supreme Court by Christ Jesus reveals it. How does the Lord God make known the interpretation? By causing the facts to come to pass visibly which are in fulfillment of the prophecy or dark saying or misunderstood scripture. Thereafter “in due season” he calls such fulfillment or clarification of prophecy and scripture to the attention of his “faithful and wise servant” class. Thereby he makes them responsible to make known the meaning of such scriptures to all members of the household of faith and to all persons of goodwill. This constitutes giving them “meat in due season.”” [Watchtower 1943, p. 203, underlining added]

What the heck are they actually saying here, Mom? The claim is made that Jesus has entrusted all his “earthly goods” to them and uses them to “publish” interpretations. But they are not actually doing the interpreting. No. God and Christ do so. Does this make sense? How is this different from any other religion whom the Watchtower Society itself would accuse of being a false prophet? Yes, even they are not suggesting their interpretations have come entirely from their own powers, but that they were supposedly supplied with them by God. Does this salvage their reputation with the Watchtower Society? Certainly not.

God and Christ have no need to interpret something for themselves that they have already set forth in the scriptures. It is we humans who need an interpretation. Who gives it to us? The Watchtower Society. So, the claim goes, God and Christ inspired the writing of the scriptures and supply the meaning of it to some in association with the Watchtower Society, and those men publish this meaning to the rest of us.

While they may disclaim being “inspired,” they definitely claim to be the one agency on earth to whom God is communicating. The one agency he has ‘made responsible’ to distribute his truths. They often refer to God’s “revealed truth.” If it is revealed, who revealed it? The assertion is that God revealed it. If God revealed it, how can it be anything other than inspired and infallible?

It’s an interesting line they walk. They claim not to be inspired, but they speak with the same amount of authority as if they are. They demand they be considered as if inspired, not even allowing the flock to question or have doubts about anything they teach without coming under scrutiny. Yet when accused of being false prophets, they then beg off from responsibility, escaping under a manufactured definition of what the word “prophet” means, suggesting that prophet doesn’t necessarily suggest divinely inspired prophet.

Easton’s Bible dictionary provides the same definition for “prophet” found anywhere else. It shows that the Hebrew word translated “prophet” is nabi. It meant “to bubble up as from a fountain,” hence “to utter.”

“The "prophet" proclaimed the message given to him...(See Num. 12:6, 8.) Thus a prophet was a spokesman for God; he spoke in God's name and by his authority (Ex. 7:1).”

The meaning is not complex. Clearly this definition fits the position the Watchtower Society itself admits it has assumed. Again quoting from the 1943 Watchtower, “…he makes them responsible to make known the meaning of such scriptures…”

“Unlike the clergy class, those of the Jeremiah class have been sent by Jehovah to speak in his name.” [Watchtower, Sept. 1, 1979, p. 29, underlining added]

And what does the Bible say about such ones?

20 "'However, the prophet who presumes to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded him to speak or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet must die. 21 And in case you should say in your heart: "How shall we know the word that Jehovah has not spoken?" 22 when the prophet speaks in the name of Jehovah and the word does not occur or come true, that is the word that Jehovah did not speak. With presumptuousness the prophet spoke it. You must not get frightened at him.' [Deuteronomy 18:20-22, NWT Reference Bible]

It’s pretty simple, Mom. They claim to be Jehovah’s mouthpiece, and the things they repeatedly said would come true didn’t. According to the Bible, this is not something God takes lightly. The sentence was death. It is also interesting to note the Bible’s counsel for us not to “get frightened at” such a false prophet. It would appear that God may have known that false prophets often try to frighten people into following them. This does not follow the Christian pattern. Consider what Paul had to say to those who were questioning the authenticity of some Christians with whom they had disagreements.

“Hence do not judge anything before the due time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring the secret things of darkness to light and make the counsels of the hearts manifest, and then each one will have his praise come to him from God.” [1 Cor. 4:5, NWT]

Remember too Jesus’ illustration of the wheat and the weeds. He told his slaves not to try and identify the weeds prematurely, but to “let both grow together until the harvest,” after which he would see to it that the weeds would be burned.

So while the Bible encourages Christians to guard against poor association, it also warns against placing ourselves in the position to judge others. “Frightening” people into accepting their version of Christianity is something that “false prophets” do. Christians are told not to “judge anything,” but to leave that to “the Lord.”

Only a handful of times in my letter will you see me challenging some of the biblical teachings made by the Watchtower Society. While there is much to be challenged, it isn’t whatsoever the point I’m trying to make. Unlike the Society, I’m not trying to convince you that anyone’s way of thinking on a biblical matter is the only correct way—as if that might prove something. I’m trying to demonstrate the audacity in any human group’s demanding that they represent the only divine agency of God’s truth on earth—especially to the degree that they’ll impose and enforce a terrible, social isolation on those among them who disagree. I’m also trying to shine light on how this organization—despite the good intentions of many involved—certainly does not possess the credentials for being considered a “faithful and discreet slave,” nor “God’s channel of communication.”

As a Watchtower follower, where really is your faith? I know the answer since I spent my entire life with this group and served as a ministerial servant and elder for three years each. Watchtower devotees do not really cleave to Jesus Christ. They cleave to what they believe to be “God’s Organization.” Although there exists an understanding that Jesus will take the lead in righting all universal wrongs—although there may be an appreciation for Jesus—on a day-to-day basis Jehovah’s Witnesses are putting their faith in the people who claim to lead “God’s Organization.”

If the above does not seem clear to you, consider this: One of your four children is in the hospital after a terrible accident, and the doctor tells you they need a blood transfusion. Your child has made you responsible for acting in such an event, and you have to make a decision. Tearfully you explain to the doctor that you cannot allow a blood transfusion of the needed fractions. Why? Because of your faith in Christ? Or in the Watchtower Society?

Then let’s say the doctor comes in with one of the elders from the Hospital Liaison Committee who explains that the Society has just determined that the very fractions one of us needs is now considered a conscience matter, and not something the Society opposes. Might you allow this transfusion? And what would have prompted your decision? Your faith in Christ? Or in the Watchtower Society?

“So Jehovah’s visible organization came off victorious once again to his vindication. For dedicated, baptized persons to share in that victory, what did it take? Faith in Jehovah’s theocratic organization.” [Watchtower, March 1, 1979, page 18, underlining added]

And, to get specific, how is this “theocratic organization” really supposed to work? It is claimed that Jehovah has installed Jesus Christ as King and that Jesus is communicating to his “domestics” through a “faithful and discreet slave,” which is a “class” originally limited to 144,000. Today the remaining ones of this class are supposedly scattered about the earth, associated with the organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses. As someone who served as an elder, I know that the only effort made with regard to such ones is to count those who partake at the Memorial each year. No data is requested of such persons by the Society, no address, no phone number. Just a little postcard with a total on it sent in to them.

Further, there is no two-way (nor even one-way) communication attempted with “anointed ones” when the Circuit Overseer comes for his congregation visit. He has meetings with the elders, ministerial servants, pioneers, but not with those of this “slave class.” Who are thought of as direct representatives of the Watchtower Society? The Circuit Overseers themselves, and not these anointed slave class members. And rarely today does one of these COs even profess to be anointed. Yet he tells these anointed ones what to think and do. It is, in reality not this supposedly anointed class of persons guiding this organization. It is the directors of the Watchtower Society themselves, who comprise a tiny percentage of this class, never making inquiry to the vast majority of supposedly anointed ones, and acting with impunity.

They get away with this because they have made those in the organization afraid to question them. While the questioning of newer ones is tolerated a bit, if you are a baptized Witness, you cannot ask many difficult questions without coming under serious scrutiny. At least on an organizational level, I do not find those directing the Watchtower Society to be humble slaves, but instead like the Pharisees whom Jesus said had “seated themselves in the seat of Moses.” [Matthew 23:2, NWT]

So how can the Governing Body of this organization claim to represent those with whom it makes no effort to communicate? Anyone who, in the sincerity of his or her heart, admits not to see evidence of such representation is attacked and branded an “apostate.” I even recall a letter to elders stating that a person need not even be “spreading” these thoughts. A person did not even have to believe that the Society was bad. All that was needed was for someone to hold the personal belief that the Society was not representative of God’s sole channel in order to rubber stamp him or her as “wicked” and a “traitor.”

But isn’t it true that God has always worked through an organization? This teaching is fundamental to Watchtower beliefs. It’s amazing how almost every Witness who begins to see the religion isn’t what they thought asks the same question: “Well, if Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t have The Truth…who does?” First Witnesses are taught that God has always worked through an organization of humans, therefore he must be working through one now. Then they are persuaded to believe that it is the Watchtower Society that represents this organization today.

While it’s true that, during certain periods of time, God did work through an organization, this was certainly not always the case. He spoke to some directly (Gen. 46:1-4; Josh. 8:1) or through angels. (Judg. 6:11-24; chapter 13) Others received visions or dreams. (1 Ki. 3:5-15; 9:1-9; Isa. 1:1; Amos 7:1-9; Ezek. 1:1) But most messages to God’s people were delivered by prophets. Who appointed prophets? The kings, the priests, or even the previous prophets? No. According to the Bible they were appointed by God himself. (Num. 11:24-29)

During Pentecost Peter, in explanation of the behavior of those spirit-filled Christians, quoted the prophet Joel…

‘“And in the last days,” God says, “I shall pour out some of my spirit upon every sort of flesh, and YOUR sons and YOUR daughters will prophesy and YOUR young men will see visions and YOUR old men will dream dreams…” [Acts 2:17, NWT]

This prophecy indicates that God would communicate with Christians in exactly the same ways he had during pre-Christian times: directly, by visions, dreams and through prophets. And is this what happened? Yes it is, and the book of Acts is filled with accounts of these things. It says "the last days," Mom. Do you believe we're living in the last days? Then how can you harmonize this scripture with the reality of life within the Watchtower bubble? The one that tells you your understanding of God and His purposes lies exclusively within the collective palm of men who represent the Society? That God only works through an authoritarian organization? That you shouldn't even be studying the Bible without the "aid" of their approved publications?

Consider Philip and the Ethiopian. Philip was preaching in Samaria. An angel sent him to the road from Jerusalem to Gaza. On his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch. Was it a “governing body” telling him what to do? No, the scriptures say it was “the spirit” that sent Philip to his chariot. After Philip baptized him, did he report to a panel of men for an assignment? No. God’s spirit led Philip away. (Acts 8:36, 39, 40)

Then there was Cornelius. He had a vision of an angel of God, who told him to send men to Joppa to get Peter. Meanwhile Peter, on the roof praying, fell into a trance, and was told by a voice that things formerly considered unclean were now clean. The spirit told him about the men sent by Cornelius. Peter went to Cornelius’ house, where he proclaimed the Gospel to a large group of people, who became Christians. (Acts 10:1-46) These things did not happen as a result of guidance from any human organization.

Mom, I actually have a cassette tape of a Gilead graduation talk delivered by Frederick Franz on September 7th, 1975, in which he brings out these very points. Bethelites have explained that, during this time, the Governing Body had been pushing to take the almost absolute authority away from then President Knorr, and distribute it amongst six different supervisory committees. Knorr and Franz were not happy about it, and during this time Franz tried to make his feelings known. Here is a word-for-word transcript of a portion of that talk…

“So you see, the Lord Jesus Christ was acting as Head of the congregation and taking action directly, without consulting anybody here on earth what he could do or what he could NOT do. And he acted in that way with regard to, to Saul and Barnabas. And they were both apostles of the Antioch congregation. And so they went out on the work and had great success, and in course of time they completed their first missionary tour, and where did they go … where did they report? Well, there's a record, you read it for yourself in the closing verses of the fourteenth chapter of Acts: THEY WENT BACK TO ANTIOCH, TO THE CONGREGATION THERE… (Franz is making clear that they did not have to report to any “governing body” in Jerusalem.) So there's where they reported. So the record also says, now they stayed in Antioch not a little time.

Well, now, what happened? All of a sudden something, eh, occurs, and, uh, Paul and Barnabas, they go up to Jerusalem. Well, what's the matter? What brings them up to Jerusalem? Well, is it, uh, the body of apostles and of other elders of the Jerusalem congregation that have summoned them up there and said, 'Looka here. We have heard that you two men have gone out on a missionary tour … and you finished it, and you haven't come up here to Jerusalem to report to us. DO YOU KNOW WHO WE ARE? We're the Counsel of Jerusalem! Do you two recognize the headship of the Lord Jesus Christ? If you don't come on up here in a hurry, we're going to take disciplinary action against you.' Is that what the account says? Well, if they had acted that way toward Paul and Barnabas, because they reported to the congregation, uh, by means of which the holy spirit had sent them out, then this Counsel of Jerusalem, of apostles and of other elders of the Jewish congregation would have put themselves ABOVE the headship of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Of course, in arguing against the concept of a Governing Body assuming authority, Franz pretty effectively refutes the larger concept that Christians are supposed to be in subjection to a centralized authority structure. And he was right.

The Watchtower Society applies “the faithful and discreet slave” mentioned at Matthew 24:45-47 to a “class” of people (the remnant of the 144,000.) But it’s very difficult to come away with this understanding after reading the parallel account at Luke 12:41-48.

“And the Lord said: “Who really is the faithful steward, the discreet one, whom his master will appoint over his body of attendants to keep giving them their measure of food supplies at the proper time? 43 Happy is that slave, if his master on arriving finds him doing so! 44 I tell YOU truthfully, He will appoint him over all his belongings. 45 But if ever that slave should say in his heart, ‘My master delays coming,’ and should start to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 the master of that slave will come on a day that he is not expecting [him] and in an hour that he does not know, and he will punish him with the greatest severity and assign him a part with the unfaithful ones. 47 Then that slave that understood the will of his master but did not get ready or do in line with his will will be beaten with many strokes. 48 But the one that did not understand and so did things deserving of strokes will be beaten with few. Indeed, everyone to whom much was given, much will be demanded of him; and the one whom people put in charge of much, they will demand more than usual of him.”

I don’t believe you can read the above account and come away with the idea that the “faithful steward” here described is some type of “class.” It describes different sorts of people, all in the position of “slaves.” In describing the slave ‘appointed over all the Master’s belongings,’ it shows that this very one could later go bad. He could start doubting, beating the other servants, etc. Since you believe the “faithful steward” is a “class” of persons represented by the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society, do you accept that, according to the scriptures, they could go bad? And, just as was the case many times throughout Bible history, are you willing to condemn them if or when they do? How could you even be in the position to do that if you merely accept everything they say as being ‘God’s increasing light’? They tell you to think of them as “Mother.” They warn you not to conduct Bible study independent of their publications. Are you prepared, in the spirit of Jehu, to willingly abandon the leadership of this organization should you find they are not acting in line with God’s word?

The illustration goes on to describe other slaves who have varying degrees of accountability for their actions. It says, “everyone to whom much is given, much will be demanded.” These verses makes much more sense as an exhortation to individual Christians to be aware of the importance of proper behavior toward others, always remembering that one day they will have to answer to a higher authority.

How did this all happen? How did my family come under the spell of a legalistic and authoritarian high pressure group? How did none of us figure it out for so many years?

I am aware that both Dad and my brother-in-law profess to be of the anointed. I wish to make it perfectly clear that I am in no position to condemn them for this profession. I do not have any reason to believe they make this claim in intentional falsehood. Further, having grown up in our household, I do not believe that Dad is the sort of person who would make this claim in order to receive some special attention. On the contrary, I have no doubt that he does so with the utmost sincerity and in a spirit of humility. I would not be at all surprised that P-- is equally sincere. So what am I saying?

The following was written by a former Witness missionary and Bethelite who believed himself to be of the anointed and who gave almost his entire life to the Watchtower Society before finally figuring it out. He feels no animosity; only sadness and a responsibility springing from his own conscience to finally speak the truth—as so many former elders, Bethelites, and Circuit and District Overseers—many having professed to be anointed—are doing today…

“I try in my own mind and heart to understand the feelings of all [Jehovah’s Witnesses], including those of the Governing Body. Based on my own [60 years] experience among them I believe that they are, in effect, the captives of a concept. The concept or mental image they have of “the organization” seems almost to take on a personality of its own, so that the concept itself controls them, moves them, or restrains them, by molding their thinking, their attitudes, their judgments…The …concept of “the organization” becomes, in fact, the dominant, controlling force.”

This is what happened. No matter how many times one of Jehovah’s Witnesses reads in his bible that there is one God, and one mediator between God and man, the Watchtower Society has succeeded in placing that little asterisk* in the minds of its followers.

*While the Scriptures speak of Jesus as the “only” mediator between God and man, we of course know that he is using a “faithful and discreet slave class” of righteous persons. We also know that these ones are only in association with the organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses, using the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society as its legal instrument. So again, when the Bible reads ‘only Jesus is our mediator,’ faithful Christians know what it really means and are not troubled by it.

The effect? The clear and simple teaching of a relationship with Christ is exchanged for the “concept” of “The Organization.” And those involved do indeed become “Captives of a Concept.”

Mother, I’m sending you this letter as a result of my own conscience. There are two schools of thought when it comes to leaving a high-control group such as the Watchtower Society and communicating with family about your departure from it.

You can just try to slowly “fade” from the organization. You move away. You stop going to meetings. You have little contact with former friends within. When your family brings up the organization to you, you tell them as little as possible in the hope that they will only consider you “weak” and not shun you—so that you can at least enjoy some measure of contact and communication with them. (So many you may know who no longer attend—or rarely attend—meetings, or who provide you with short, non-committal answers to questions about the organization, are such faders. I know of at least one very pleasant, long time Witness in your own congregation who has come to recognize that the Watchtower Society isn’t what it claims to be—but continues to attend anyway, because that’s where old friends are, and because of this person’s fear of admitting such honest beliefs to others.)

Or you can just come out with the truth. That you have come to recognize that the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society is not what it purports to be—and that it is in fact horribly misleading and manipulating people. They persuade you to believe that using your own mind is “independent thinking” that demonstrates a disobedience to Jehovah. They have succeeded in convincing adherents that, in obeying their instruction to turn away from beloved family members, they are being “loyal to Jehovah.”

I thought I might try to fade at first, but I simply cannot live a lie. I cannot pretend I am not incensed by this pathetic, controlling organization and how it has ruined the lives of so many—all the while claiming to be “persecuted.”

“I am treated as evil by people who claim that they are being oppressed becausethey are not allowed to force me to practice what they do.”—D. Dale Gulledge, Author

The truth is my family needs to know what I know. And how dare these men in Brooklyn try to scare me from showing you?!

Ah, but then the reality of the situation sets in… Escaping the indoctrination of such a group is not easy. In fact it’s incredibly difficult. There exists a mental state known as “cognitive dissonance,” which encourages us to find reasons to continue believing in something we hold strongly—despite evidence that challenges it. The stronger the belief and/or the longer we’ve held the belief, the harder it is to overcome. The measure of the person will come down to this:

Do you really want the truth? I mean the real truth?

“For he that practices vile things hates the light and does not come to the light, in order that his works may not be reproved. But he that does what is true comes to the light, in order that his works may be made manifest as having been worked in harmony with God.” [John 3:20 & 21, NWT]

Why really does the Society not want you to see all of the information? Are you a child without the ability to distinguish truth from falsehood? Why did Paul at Hebrews 5:14 say that “mature people” would “through use” have “their perceptive powers trained to distinguish both right and wrong,” if in reality we are to subject what we consider to only that which is approved by a body of men? A genuine truth-seeker will not shy away from considering all of the information on an important subject such as this one. You are invited to do so.

If you do, you will be utterly floored to find that so many of those negative things we have heard people say over the years—the stuff we’ve always pooh-poohed—is not the flimsy faultfinding we thought it was. You will also note how the organization’s teachings on its own authority have, just like the leaven of the Pharisees, grown out of control.

"A visible organization is out of harmony with God’s divine plan." [Watchtower, December 1, 1894, p. 1743]

Then later...

“How is such independent thinking manifested? A common way is by questioning the counsel that is provided by God’s visible organization.” [Watchtower, January 15, 1983, p. 22]

Next...

"Beware of "organization." It is wholly unnecessary. The Bible rules will be the only rules you will need. Do not seek to bind others consciences, and do not permit others to bind yours. Believe and obey so far as you can understand God’s Word today, and so continue growing in grace and knowledge and love day by day." [Watchtower, September 15, 1895, p. 1866]

But later…

"Unless we are in touch with this channel of communication that God is using, we will not progress along the road to life, no matter how much Bible reading we do.” [Watchtower, December 1, 1981, p. 27]

Even as recently as 1961, this appeared in The Watchtower…

“If one renders obedient service to someone or some organization, whether willingly or under compulsion, looking up to such as possessing a position of superior rulership and great authority, then that one can Scripturally be said to be a worshiper.” [Watchtower, September 1, 1961, p. 525]

But what does the Society teach today?

"Those who desire life in the New Order must come into a right relationship with the organization." [Watchtower, November 15, 1981, pp. 16-17]

The above is a small glimpse at how what started out as a fairly harmless group became a legalistic and authoritarian institution. ‘Beware the leaven’ indeed. Their own words condemn them. But this really doesn’t scratch the surface; there is so much more, and you deserve to see it.

In your letter to me, you wrote that you would not tell the rest of the family what I’ve told you. I have also heard that you did in fact do so, so I imagine you may do so again. I know that most if not all of the family may not speak to me after reading this or hearing of my position on the Watchtower Society. But of one thing I am confident: eventually some will go through exactly what I did. The flashpoints that have been accumulating throughout their lives will finally come to the fore, and they will finally give themselves permission to conduct an honest, objective investigation.

They may be affected by learning that the Society’s dating system of 607 B.C.E. and 1914 was a complete and utter blunder—and that the Society knows it but refuses to admit it publicly. They may be shocked to learn that, for nearly a decade, they entered into an alliance with the United Nations, the very organization the Society itself has demonized. Or they may finally be faced with the sick, sad history of policies that have protected tens of thousands of pedophiles and often led to the vicious expulsion of young victims who dared to speak out about it. I really could go on and on.

Yes, at some point they will see that it’s not just “mistakes” that have been made, dear mother. As I told you on the phone, whether you realize it or not, the entire foundation for the Watchtower Society’s claims of authority rests upon their calculation of 1914 as the date when Jesus began to rule. Their claims have vacillated through the years, but for many decades they’ve taught that in 1918, four years after they say Jesus sat down on his throne, he came to inspect those claiming to be Christians, and after a period of cleansing he appointed associates of the Watchtower Society “over all his belongings.”

Problem: In the late 1960s, when conducting research for Aid to Bible Understanding, it was discovered that Jerusalem did not fall in 607 BCE, but in 587 BCE. This would obviously mean that the “Gentile times” did not end in 1914 as they’ve always maintained. Later a remarkable amount of research was conducted by a Swedish pioneer elder who found seven lines of evidence demonstrating this very thing. There are literally tens of thousands of pieces of evidence that prove this. Every single scholar, every single historian, everyone else on the planet knows Jerusalem fell in 587. Only the Watchtower Society, because of an apparent reliance on bad information provided by Russell’s one time associate Nelson Barbour, uses 607. When the truth was discovered, the Governing Body considered a revision to the former Gentile Times date calculations. But they realized this would devastate all former teachings about Jesus coming in 1914 and choosing them in 1918/1919—and would dash their claims of having been appointed at that time as God’s sole channel of communication. So the majority voted not to release this information.

The brother in the writing department assigned to pen the information under “Chronology” in the Aid book later confessed he was simply given the task of poking whatever holes he could in the new information they found. When you (again) look at all the information, these comments and any the Society has made on this subject since then are superficial, disingenuous, and based on incredibly limited information. They, for instance, claim to be using “Bible chronology” in favor of “secular chronology,” when they use this very same “secular chronology” as the basis for every other historical date they accept. Nearly everything they write on this subject amounts to a smokescreen, attempting to obscure the simple fact that a mistake fatal to their claims of divine appointment had been made.

This man, along with other longtime brothers in the writing department, many other Bethelites and even that Swedish elder, would eventually be disfellowshipped for not keeping this and other information deemed embarrassing to the Society quiet. Each one of these individuals was a loyal Witness, doing research in an attempt to support the Society’s teachings. Such people, who the Society summarily dismissed, would later be described as “self-styled teachers,” as “running ahead” of the organization. When the truth is the organization was embarrassed by the veracity of what they found—and frightened by the threat this information posed to their own authority.

Mother, any argument about “waiting on Jehovah” or things being taken care of “in Jehovah’s due time” is pointless since it presumes that the leadership of this organization has grounds for proclaiming their unequaled divine guidance. But they don’t! They were not at any time—and they certainly aren’t now—chosen to be God’s mouthpiece, and their insistence that they be recognized as such makes them no different than the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. You have every right to examine the evidence in this regard, Mother. And you should be suspicious of anyone telling you not to.

“Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.” –The Wizard of Oz

Remember again, please, the warning Jesus provided…

“Look out that YOU are not misled; for many will come on the basis of my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The due time has approached.’ Do not go after them." [Luke 21:8, NWT, underlining added]

In the September 8, 1987 Awake!, (pages 10, 11) the Watchtower Society makes the following appeal to members of other churches under the subheading: "If Your Church Fails to Act, Will You?”

“If, after making an honest investigation, you are less than pleased with what you see, do more than just complain. A journalist…logically concluded: 'Church members ... are responsible for what the church says and does.' So ask yourself: Am I willing to share responsibility for everything my church says and does? Can I really be proud of having all its members as spiritual brothers?”

If you ever finally do come to realize what I have—and want to speak of it—just call. I’ll be here.

Please understand how difficult this whole situation is for me. Any intensity you sense does not come from a disagreement with the teachings of the Watchtower Society. It comes from knowing they are willing to try and rip me from my family in an attempt to keep you from finding out what I know, as well as to protect the authority they exercise over you.

From what I understand, there was a time when those who left the Watchtower Society could leave with a bit of dignity. They could say, “Hey, I love you folks, but upon examination I no longer believe the way I used to.” But in the very early 80s, as they dealt with the fallout from the 1975 disappointment, the Society decided they didn’t want former members talking to active members. Consequently the Governing Body voted to treat disassociated ones the same way they treated the disfellowshipped.

This may be considered a shrewd move for an organization interested in preserving the authority of its leadership. But no matter how strongly they believe they are God’s special human agency, they are still men. They, you and I can believe whatever we want—as strongly as we want. But for us to believe something so strongly that we assume a position of superiority over other fellow humans and feel we have the right to impose penalties upon them simply for disagreeing with us? That’s wrong, Mom, and there’s nothing Christian about it.

So please: before you form this image of angry former Witnesses “governed by hate,” remember that it is not disassociated ones who decided to get all nasty here. The vast majority would be perfectly happy to leave peaceably, still maintaining good relationships with friends and family within. It was the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society who decided they would not have it. They would not tolerate people questioning, challenging, or deciding to leave. It is they who decided to create an adversarial relationship with any who dared not accept their authority. It is they who tell you to actually “hate” those who decide to leave their organization. This image Witnesses have of rabid apostates originates with the organization itself and its own hostility to dissent or even honest-hearted questioning.

I don’t claim that everything I’ve written here is without error, but I believe you can see that my expressions are not made by one who is “governed by hate.” And I’d be willing to put whatever mistakes can be found in this letter up against the Watchtower Society’s record any day.

If you’d like for me not to discuss the Watchtower Society with you, I can do that. But please understand that—if you ask this of me—it will be just as proper for me to ask the same of you.

“If anyone ever asks you, “What is one thing you’re more sure of than anything else in the world,” you can tell them: “That my mother loves me.”” -You

My love for you and the entire family is not affected one bit. I love you for all of the things you are that have nothing to do with these guys in New York. This love is something God put in you and I—and the rest of our family. It is an entirely unnatural and unscriptural thing to allow a group of men to convince you that, because I no longer think they are what they say they are, you should act out of harmony with that love by shunning me.

I submit to you that it is the height of small mindedness for either of us to decide that, since we may have disagreements about what is and is not true, we should punish the other for it. I have presented you with lots of information that I deem relevant so you could—in the very least—understand that my reasons for leaving the organization are not negligible. I know it could seem as if I’m trying to convince you to see things as I do, but this is not my goal. I suppose it’s rather difficult to show you the strong reasons I no longer believe the Society is what it claims to be—without it coming across in that way. So I ask that you understand this predicament. It’s just the lot of a man who loves his parents and wants them to be happy, while hoping they know he is, in the sincerity of his heart, endeavoring to be every bit as righteous as they taught him to be.

It was good to see the photos of P-- and D-----’s new home, and I was so comforted to know you and Dad will have such a nice place to live whenever you decide it’s time to move in there. Please call or e-mail me from time to time. I have a new home with lots of room and would love for you, Dad and the rest of the family to visit me sometime.

Love,

Jon