About JW Watch (formerly JW Survey)

message3

It is my pleasure to give you a warm welcome to JWWatch.org. This website has been launched to give voice to millions of Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world who would not normally have the opportunity to say what they really think about the Watch Tower Society, or the teachings and practices of the Governing Body.

The Governing Body has yet to express any interest in hearing the views of ordinary witnesses. Their mantra is: “We talk, you listen!”

If you are a Jehovah’s Witness, or a former Witness, you will be aware that the opinions of rank and file publishers (and even elders) are rarely sought by the Society. The small number of men making up the Governing Body have declared themselves the “faithful and discreet slave” of Matthew 24:45, thus claiming sole control over the organization’s teachings and policies. These men are most certainly NOT interested in the opinions of the “silent majority” of Witnesses under their authority. If they are, they have a strange way of showing it!

This website historically sought to redress that balance by means of an annual survey that was conducted anonymously throughout the world. The first survey was taken in 2011, and immediately attracted the opinions of 1,118 voters before closing at the end of the year. The results were posted to the Governing Body for their attention and review but, predictably, they never replied.

The following year, 2012, the survey received votes from 1,488 current and former Witnesses, most of whom expressed their concern at various Watchtower teachings. The remarkable events of that year (the Candace Conti case and the “new light” about the faithful slave) certainly seemed to get people talking.

Subsequent surveys have allowed in excess of 6,000 per year to express their true feelings about the organization and its leadership, and we are optimistic this number will only increase as JWsurvey grows in popularity.

As we move into 2021, JW Survey has become JW Watch. The John Cedars YouTube Channel has become the Lloyd Evans Channel.

These changes represent where we are as a unified team, dedicated to accurate, non-sensational news about the activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses and their leadership. You will see content that represents investigative reporting, documentary, and occasionally opinions about the state of affairs of more than 8 million members of the Witness faith.

A website for all

This website has been created and made available as a free resource so that anyone, whether they are a former or current Witness, or in some way associated with Witness friends or relatives, can give their honest opinions about Watchtower and the increasingly cult-like direction in which it is headed.

We adopt a strictly non-religious viewpoint, meaning we refuse to promote any belief structure in particular. For this reason, we cannot be accused of trying to “draw off followers.” We are merely interested in garnering the views of ordinary Witnesses and reporting on the facts.

The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses has not authorized or sponsored the survey, and it is run entirely without any influence or input from them. However, we genuinely feel that the brothers who serve on the Governing Body, having assumed such overwhelming responsibility, should take note of how ordinary Witnesses and the general public feel about their leadership, since millions of lives are affected by decisions they make at their private weekly meetings.

Who started this website?

My name is Lloyd Evans, and I am the founder of this website. I set it up in October 2011 with the help of a fellow activist while I was still one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, writing under the pseudonym “John Cedars.” Eventually, I left the organization for conscientious reasons. You can read my story on this link.

I first had the idea to begin gathering the opinions of Jehovah’s Witnesses and their associates around the world because of a variety of issues that continue to be of real concern to me. I believe that ordinary Witnesses who devote their entire lives to loyally serving Jehovah, through what purports to be God’s spirit-directed organization, should have some say in the decisions that are made on their behalf.

It is my belief that not all is well within the organization. I don’t consider many of the teachings and practices encouraged by the Governing Body to have been formulated with the best interests of ordinary Witnesses at heart.

An unmerciful practice

For example, take the practice of shunning or “disfellowshipping.” The Apostle Paul’s words to the Corinthian congregation were as follows:

Screen Shot 2016-06-29 at 13.36.52

Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians about the disfellowshipping arrangement never called for family members to be torn apart

Clearly the Apostle Paul was delivering this admonition for the purpose of keeping the congregation clean. But to what extent should these words be applied? By saying “not even eating with such a man,” Paul indicated that his words weren’t directed against family members (who would daily eat with one another), but against other brothers in the congregation with whom one might consider sharing a meal.

There is no reason to insist that the word “anyone” should be applied arbitrarily to “everyone,” irrespective of age or circumstances. Even Watchtower publications acknowledge that there should be some exceptions where family members are concerned. For example, a disfellowshipped husband is not to be shunned by his wife or children, and parents are not banned from speaking to their disfellowshipped children if they are not yet old enough to leave home.

But why should it end there?

Many share my opinion that there is scope to extend even more mercy in applying this scripture than is currently encouraged by the teachings of the Governing Body. Jesus said the following to the unrighteous pharisees:

Screen Shot 2016-06-29 at 13.38.56

Jesus identified mercy as playing a crucial role in the extent to which laws and principles should be enforced. Many do not think it is merciful that older teenagers, many of whom were baptized at an extremely young age (sometimes as young as 9), are forced out of their homes by their parents and then cruelly shunned, often for the rest of their lives, through a mistaken and abhorrent interpretation of the Apostle Paul’s advice.

The Society’s publications themselves warn that “no one should be forced to… choose between his beliefs and his family.” (July 2009 Awake!, p.9) However, they apply this reasoning to every religion but their own.

The scriptures clearly prescribe “shunning” purely as a measure for maintaining the spiritual cleanliness of the congregation, and not for the purpose of breaking up families. To go one step further and insist that shunning should also apply to families is both destructive and deeply unmerciful. It also violates the principle expressed by the Apostle Paul at 1 Timothy 5:8 where he said:

Screen Shot 2016-06-29 at 13.40.59

These and other teachings of the Governing Body are increasingly becoming a cause of sincere distress for many Witnesses who wish that the organization could adopt a more merciful and loving stance. In particular, one can now be disfellowshipped as an “apostate” merely for disagreeing with the Governing Body over this or other issues.

Only human

It is my sincere desire that by means of this website, and its annual surveys, the Governing Body will humbly consider the pleas of both myself and like-minded ones around the world who long for the Watch Tower Society to be a more loving organization – one that truly reflects the need for respect and tolerance toward other people’s beliefs.

The members of the Governing Body are only human, and no matter how much they may pray for wisdom and insight, they cannot possibly be fully aware of how their teachings and directives are impacting the lives of their fellow worshippers on a daily basis. That is what makes this survey website so important. It serves as a constant reminder for them to show greater kindness and mercy in undertaking the role that they have assumed as the faithful and discreet slave.

I would like to thank you in advance for your support for this site, and for getting involved in our important work.

Warmest regards,

new-cedars-signature3

60,752 thoughts on “About JW Watch (formerly JW Survey)

  • August 14, 2025 at 12:57 am
    Permalink

    Greetings! Very useful advice in this particular post!
    It is the little changes that make the most important changes.
    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  • August 14, 2025 at 2:44 am
    Permalink

    Why Choose avantprotocol.org
    savUSD Yield Layer
    Mint and earn with the stable asset designed for sustainable DeFi returns
    LP Pools and Liquidity
    Supply to Avant liquidity pools and optimize for yield and TVL
    Protocol Transparency
    Track all metrics APY and vault values through a unified dashboard
    Secure and Connected
    Connect your wallet stake or withdraw with full onchain control
    Start earning smarter with https://avantprotocol.org

    Reply
  • August 14, 2025 at 3:32 am
    Permalink

    Parents, fearful of losing ɑ little additionally hor, t᧐p establishments provide dual-language courses, crucial f᧐r bilingual
    employment fields in Singapore.

    Aiyo, enrolling іn a premier institution signifies enhanced extracurricular activities, developing profiles fоr future job requests.

    Hey hey, Singapore moms аnd dads, math is perhaps
    thе moѕt important primary subject, fostering creativity tһrough challenge-tackling t᧐ creative careers.

    Wah, matth іs tһe base pillar for primary education, aiding youngsters foor
    geometric thinking іn architecture careers.

    Alas, primary math teaches everyday applications including budgeting, tһus guarantee your kid gets thаt right from eaгly.

    Apart from institution resources, concentrate ᥙpon mathematics
    іn οrder tо prevent frequent pitfalls including inattentive blunders Ԁuring exams.

    Avoid take lightly lah, combine а reputable primary school alongside arithmetic superiority tօ ensure elevated PSLE гesults aѕ ԝell as smooth transitions.

    Woodlands Primary School cultivates ɑ positive environment
    promoting extensive development.
    Ꭲhе school influences achievement tһrough innovative mentor.

    Cantonment Primary School ⲣrovides а diverse neighborhood with programs tһat promote cultural
    understanding.
    Dedicated teachers concentrate ߋn holistic trainee advancement.

    Moms аnd dads find іt excellent fⲟr building global-minded young
    students.

    Visit mу web paցe maths tutor profile

    Reply
  • August 14, 2025 at 5:12 am
    Permalink

    Hey there! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I
    could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form?
    I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having problems finding one?
    Thanks a lot!

    Reply
  • August 14, 2025 at 6:39 am
    Permalink

    Ремонт кофемашин https://coffee-craft.kz с выездом на дом или в офис. Диагностика, замена деталей, настройка. Работаем с бытовыми и профессиональными моделями. Гарантия качества и доступные цены.

    Reply
  • August 14, 2025 at 6:50 am
    Permalink

    Kate Winslet had a surprising ‘Titanic’ reunion while producing her latest film ‘Lee’
    kraken2trfqodidvlh4aa337cpzfrhdlfldhve5nf7njhumwr7instad

    Kate Winslet is sharing an anecdote about a “wonderful” encounter she recently had with someone from her star-making blockbuster film “Titanic.”

    The Oscar winner was a guest on “The Graham Norton Show” this week, where she discussed her new film “Lee,” in which she plays the fashion model-turned-war photographer Lee Miller from the World War II era.
    https://krakenk2toraink2webatkrnvk7at2krnatv1torvk5at7instad.com
    kraken7jmgt7yhhe2c4iyilthnhcugfylcztsdhh7otrr6jgdw667pqd
    Winslet recounted that while she had previously executive produced a number of her projects, “Lee” was the first movie where she served as a full-on producer. That required her involvement from “beginning to end,” including when the film was scored in post-production.

    She explained to Norton that when she attended the recording of the film’s score in London, while looking at the 120-piece orchestra, she saw someone who looked mighty familiar to her.

    “I’m looking at this violinist and I thought, ‘I know that face!’” she said.

    At one point, other musicians in the orchestra pointed to him while mouthing, “It’s him!” to her, and it continued to nag at Winslet, prompting her to wonder, “Am I related to this person? Who is this person?”

    Finally, at the end of the day, the “Reader” star went in to where the orchestra was to meet the mystery violinist, and she was delighted to realize he was one of the violinists who played on the ill-fated Titanic ocean liner as it sank in James Cameron’s classic 1997 film.
    “It was that guy!” Winslet exclaimed this week, later adding, “it was just wonderful” to see him again.

    “We had so many moments like that in the film, where people I’ve either worked with before, or really known for a long time, kind of grown up in the industry with, they just showed up for me, and it was incredible.”

    “Lee” released in theaters in late September, and is available to rent or buy on AppleTV+ or Amazon Prime.

    Reply
  • August 14, 2025 at 7:22 am
    Permalink

    Extreme heat is a killer. A recent heat wave shows how much more deadly it’s becoming
    tripskan
    Extreme heat is a killer and its impact is becoming far, far deadlier as the human-caused climate crisis supercharges temperatures, according to a new study, which estimates global warming tripled the number of deaths in the recent European heat wave.

    For more than a week, temperatures in many parts of Europe spiked above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Tourist attractions closed, wildfires ripped through several countries, and people struggled to cope on a continent where air conditioning is rare.
    https://tripscan.xyz
    tripskan
    The outcome was deadly. Thousands of people are estimated to have lost their lives, according to a first-of-its-kind rapid analysis study published Wednesday.

    A team of researchers, led by Imperial College London and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, looked at 10 days of extreme heat between June 23 and July 2 across 12 European cities, including London, Paris, Athens, Madrid and Rome.

    They used historical weather data to calculate how intense the heat would have been if humans had not burned fossil fuels and warmed the world by 1.3 degrees Celsius. They found climate change made Europe’s heat wave 1 to 4 degrees Celsius (1.8 to 7.2 Fahrenheit) hotter.

    The scientists then used research on the relationship between heat and daily deaths to estimate how many people lost their lives.

    They found approximately 2,300 people died during ten days of heat across the 12 cities, around 1,500 more than would have died in a world without climate change. In other words, global heating was responsible for 65% of the total death toll.

    “The results show how relatively small increases in the hottest temperatures can trigger huge surges in death,” the study authors wrote.

    Heat has a particularly pernicious impact on people with underlying health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes and respiratory problems.

    People over 65 years old were most affected, accounting for 88% of the excess deaths, according to the analysis. But heat can be deadly for anyone. Nearly 200 of the estimated deaths across the 12 cities were among those aged 20 to 65.

    Climate change was responsible for the vast majority of heat deaths in some cities. In Madrid, it accounted for about 90% of estimated heat wave deaths, the analysis found.

    Reply
  • August 14, 2025 at 8:00 am
    Permalink

    Круглосуточный вывод из запоя цена — помощь на дому и в стационаре. Капельницы, очищение организма, поддержка сердца и нервной системы. Анонимно и конфиденциально.

    Reply
  • August 14, 2025 at 8:26 am
    Permalink

    Купить мебель модульные прихожие для дома и офиса по выгодным ценам. Широкий выбор, стильный дизайн, высокое качество. Доставка и сборка по всей России. Создайте комфорт и уют с нашей мебелью.

    Reply
  • August 14, 2025 at 8:29 am
    Permalink

    Купить мебель узкие стеллажи для дома и офиса по выгодным ценам. Широкий выбор, стильный дизайн, высокое качество. Доставка и сборка по всей России. Создайте комфорт и уют с нашей мебелью.

    Reply
  • August 14, 2025 at 9:46 am
    Permalink

    Интересовался чистка снега с крыши от снега цены, и друзья сказали: «Звони на mdalp.ru». Не ошибся: работа в четыре руки, смех и скорость — вот их стиль. Крыша теперь как каток, только безопасный. Даже снеговик во дворе одобрил.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *