It seems almost unthinkable that Tony Morris should be forced to stand down from the Governing Body, but stranger things have happened.
Ewart Chitty and Leo Greenlees were removed from the Governing Body in 1979 and 1984 respectively, albeit under very different circumstances. Raymond Franz resigned in 1980 amid Watchtower’s frenzied purge of “apostates.”
If Anthony Morris III ends up becoming the fourth Governing Body member to be stripped of his lofty position, it would likely be for a very different reason than his ignominious predecessors – because his outspokenness is making him a liability to the organization.
Those who follow his exploits closely enough on YouTube are only too familiar with his arrogant, eccentric streak on the platform. Until recently, his outrageous musings on such topics as scorched Armageddon victims, child baptism, “thinkingest” people, tight pants, and the nature of eternity were known only to select audiences of Witnesses, such as those attending a particular convention or zone visit.
But the organization is changing, and pushing Governing Body members increasingly to the fore. JW Broadcasting promises to do this on a scale never before seen. And Tony’s embarrassing performance on Saturday at the “special meeting” for the U.S. branch visit demonstrated perfectly why introducing Witnesses to their dear leaders “warts and all” is a monumental error that could seriously backfire.
At Saturday’s special meeting, an audience of well over a million Jehovah’s Witnesses in the branch territory of United States were subjected to an avalanche of stupidity from Tony’s lips.
Sisters were told that they cannot marry a man older than 23 if he is not by that age a ministerial servant. They were also instructed that they cannot go jogging wearing “spanx” – which one assumes is any tight-fitting spandex or lycra. Families were informed that it is inexcusable for them to visit an amusement park rather than visit bethel if it is within their means to do so.
And once again, “Tight Pants Tony” shared his bizarre clothing obsession – reiterating his belief that tight pants are part of a conspiracy by homosexual fashion designers whose sole aim in life is to drool over the contours of the male figure.
Speaking for myself, the only real surprise in all of the above was the brazen and unguarded manner with which Tony aired his clearly ridiculous views. I have known for some time that he is more than capable of unleashing such madness on an audience. I just had no idea he was brave enough to indulge himself to this extent in front of every single congregation in the United States branch territory.
The whole thing was made only more awkward by Tony’s promise at the start of his talk that he would support all “things that could ignite a controversy” with references from the publications. Unless there is a Watchtower somewhere that prescribes what jogging apparel Witnesses may or may not wear, or whether non-Ministerial Servants over 23 are eligible as marriage partners, Tony utterly failed to do this.
But it was precisely Tony’s arrogance that led him to insist that everything he said was backed up by God himself, even if so many of his absurd views are notable in the publications only by their absence.
Consider the following video clip, taken from the recording of the 2014 Annual Meeting Program on JW Broadcasting, where Tony speaks of how Witnesses in a certain branch territory where he “wasn’t treated too well” ought to be in fear of his “big brother.”
It’s easy to imagine how a religious leader with this level of narcissism could believe his expressions are automatically rubber-stamped by the Almighty.
Though it would be almost unthinkable for the Governing Body to go so far as to eject Tony from their circle of power, the fact remains that the more he is allowed to spout forth such silly, arrogant ramblings to bewildered audiences, the more the veil of awe and respect surrounding the Governing Body will evaporate.
I certainly hope the Governing Body doesn’t do the smart thing by dispensing with Tony’s services now before it is too late. It is in my interests for the organization to implode sooner rather than later to prevent more lives being ruined, and few things would better facilitate this than for Tony Morris to continue his eyebrow-raising performances until he departs to meet his “big brother.”
But in the unlikely event that the Governing Body spoils my fun and orders a taxi for Mr Morris, I can at least celebrate the fact that a million or so Witnesses in the U.S. now have the awkward but indelible realization that one of the members of their revered “faithful slave” is a monstrous prude who is fixated with tight clothing, and sees his opinions and God’s as more-or-less the same thing.
Further reading…
- Alternet article
- Advocate article
- Edge Media Network article
- Freethinker article
- Frontiers article
- Mirror article
- Montreal Gazette article
- Bustle article
- Deluded or dangerous? My thoughts on Anthony Morris III following his Rome visit
- Coming soon to a web browser near you – Governing Body TV (on demand)!
- The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses – Explained
- Getting To Know Our Governing Body
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wow, your on top of things today, and omg I am SOOO glad I did not go to that thing with my mother as she would have loved me to do, [I chose to go to my grandchild’s birthday party, the first one ever, she turned 13] because id have gotten up and left. seriously this old boys club has got to go, they are out of their senior minds and have no clue whats what in the world insinuating who to marry is just the last straw. my father is 74, and spouts out racist insults criticism of family members all the time. the negativity from these elderly people is shameful.
maybe its time for jw’s to picket ‘you dont own me!’
Could you imagine Barr or Pierce doing this? Tony is cuckoo crazy…power has gone to his head.
A nice article Cedars…you told it as it is…
scripture the GB use all the time for the flock.
Matthew 12:34, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”
Tony heart is on tight pants, abundantly.
I have not had the pleasure of watching yet as my laptop is not to well, but I will hopefully do so tomorrow. I am in so much agreement about how they are now viewed by the masses of drones, or albeit anyone else. It has got to be a huge spanner in the works lol. I am hoping for some major fallout in many directions. It will help my own activism too locally, as well as a possible embarrassment for my family members still in. The narcissism I am glad has finally shown itself from the square box. I am pretty sure the TV is a big mistake for them. Good I am glad they are showing their true colours.
Poor Tony is ‘exposing’ himself more than he realizes. He is projecting his own unacknowledged desires outward – ordering others to not be inappropriate, not wear tight, revealing pants and not arouse dangerous sexual impulses. Tony is really talking to his own unacknowledged urges. The governing body members (pun intended ;) have no insight into their own psychological process and no idea how repressed they are sexually. Unconsciously titillated Tony is revealing more about himself than he is about bad boy brothers wearing tight pants.
Interesting that he is not concerned with tight tops on women or the current style of low cut tank tops for women. He just harps on what he cannot allow himself to enjoy and tries to interdict it for everyone else – tight pants designed by those ‘threatening’ homosexuals.
(btw … “Spanx” is a brand of lycra clothing. Whatever will Tony do when he discovers that their are Spanx for men!)
Great work, Lloyd!
Unfortunately not all of us are blessed with intelligence:-)
The more they post videos and the like the more they are exposing the world to how Deluisional they all really are.
Among my other family relatives I heard that this was such a special day not to be missed. As if the King was speaking and he needed his reverence from every adherent in the Kingdom attitude.
These talks give me PTSD and are just absolutely ridiculous.
As you have said I hope he stays on so more people can see how warped their thinking truly is.
It’s just a matter of time which they are running out of.
Imagine having to do damage control on your leaders?
Because who is to question them when they were appointed by God himself?
To a clear minded thinking person all this illusion just doesn’t add up.
The Times r a changing:-) phew:-)x
What’s wrong with tight pants, long hair & a beard she asked?
I’ve heard a rumour Lloyd wears extremely tight pants when making YouTube video’s.
Well, based on his words, Jehovah is the worst parent around. Based on JW teachings, Jesus spent millions of years learning from this father in heaven, yet by age 23 he was not even baptized. What a failure!
Hahaha! That comment just made my day!
startrekangel. you nailed it!!
Love the news:-)
When we’re you so stupid that you decided to leave ur ears in the cupboard?
Hey Cedars,
Great video!
I have known so many disgusting 23 y’old MS at my old hall that would make any sister miserable… And so many nice, hard working ‘regular’ brothers that were never given a chance to even become a MS cause they didn’t have the same ‘connections’ as some other brothers in the hall.
And Tony…. Oh Tony, he is so obsessed with brother’s tight pants and so ‘jealous’ of sister’s jogging clothes that it makes me wonder if he really hasn’t a rather controversial sexual orientation in secret! Think about it.
I could have attended the meeting in person but decided not to… it was a beautiful sunshine day outside. =)
Cheers.
I wonder how many people noticed that Morris lied about giving citations for his controversial views? How indoctrinated do you have to be to not see that blatant lie? All I can do is shake my head. Unbelievable!
Tony sounds like a little boy threatening us with his “big bad brother”. Or maybe he’s insinuating he has mob ties?! Either way…I’m not worried. And this business of “two classes of people and hopes” – sounds like he’s talking about a caste system. We on the earth are the “untouchable unworthies”. He is the privileged class that we need to treat nicely or “big brother” will come a calling. So ridiculous.
A brilliant article. As the scriptures say, “Pride comes before a fall”. Perhaps the GB should consider having a few more overseas members to balance their excesses.
Enjoyed the video Cedars. My Wife kept asking,
“What are you laughing at”? The man is a complete
buffoon, and a bigot. Reminded me of Alf Garnett
OnT,V, ( Archie Bunker, on American T,V, )
Archie was known for his “Spoonerisms” —- “Priests
spreading incest around,”( Incense,).—Gynaecologist’s
we’re “Groinacologists”.
Morris wasn’t sure about “Spanx”, I can feel the
Spoonerisms coming, Can’t you book him for a series.?
When Tony was relating the story about some circuit overseer, he said the C.O. wasn’t going to go in service with him because of his “dress”. Since when do brothers wear dresses anyway? I think he was making that story up too. If it really happened the way he said it was supposed to have happened, he wouldn’t have said that the brother was wearing a dress.
I listened to the talk a 2nd time, listening to Cedar’s take on it and didn’t notice so much the first time I listened to it, about the sisters wearing tight clothing while jogging but listening to it the 2nd time, I got how ridiculous it was because if they can’t wear tight clothing while jogging, what are they supposed to wear if they want to go swimming or get dunked at an assembly?
True story. After I listened to that part about the tight clothing for jogging outdoors, I said to my husband something like “do you see how crazy that guy is?” My husband saw nothing wrong with that part of the talk. So, I asked him “what about when you go swimming? If you can’t wear tight clothing when you go jogging, then it’s immodest to wear a swimming suit when you go swimming” This is what he said:
“That’s different because they are under water.”
LOL! It’s sad…but it’s funny too!
You forgot to mention that colored socks are now forbidden.
It’s pretty amazing that AM3 had a captive audience of around 1 million people and he couldn’t come up with anything more important than guilting people and ridiculing what are in his opinion fashion faux pas.
What a joke!
It would be completely laughable were it not for the fact that so many people actually believe he represents God.
I think Tony wears Speedos secretly while in his room. lol
Comical , at best and that’s just my reaction to Cedars comments ( I really don’t have the time or interest to listen to their garage) (maybe its because I wear SPANX) I just also need to say that while im DA (disassociated) there has been nothing but kindness and encouragement when meeting up with any of my former associates (that includes elders ). No one I know thinks the GB are anything great (NY greater area). Makes me think these outrages comments are largely ignored by the masses , we should too.
@da’, you say you are disassociated and you have been treated with nothing but kindness? In my neck of the woods, if you hand in a letter of disassociation, you will be disfellowshipped (shunned). Are you saying then that you aren’t being shunned even though you gave them a letter of disassociation or have you just faded? There’s a huge difference in how you will be treated.
It would be easy to ignore Tony Morris’ talks but these off the cuff talks call attention to how over the top anal they are. If I was sitting in the audience (before I woke up), I would have been furious at his talk. Especially implying that a brother isn’t worth getting married unless by the age of 23, he hadn’t been appointed as a ministerial servant yet. All that talk about tight pants and spanx while jogging is just insane. I love it because I have so much I can point to as crazy now. The more they shoot off their stupid mouths, the more I have to work with. Ignore it, not!!
Cedars,
I think you missed a pretty big point & I don’t mean that in a bad way.
Anthony said he was going to quote from publications to support his “view”. What many failed to realize is that he is behind what is written, in the end it is his view anyway! Of course they’re going to be the same!
Thought I’d share! Great article!
PS- It also shows even more that their publications are higher than god’s word.
da me thinks you made up a story, anyone DA means you have DA yourself from the congregation not wanting to associate by your own DA, DF means you repent come back, DA means you want nothing to do with the organization or brotherhood.
You forget that many of us have been in this religion for many years some decades, and some still in for reasons.
what was the point of your post.
Morris piled the guilt on with a shovel, “Not even a moment to
lose in warning people of what’s coming”, “if we slacked their
blood is on our hands”. “We can’t see the blood but JHVH can”
I feel very guilty, because I danced to that “Old tune ” 54 years
ago, and encouraged my children to pioneer. Consequently
My Son grew up without a skilled trade or qualifications and
and still struggles to find worthwhile employment.
My Daughter ( The rebellious one) followed her own inclinations,
she studied and acquired qualifications and obtained a good
job, with a pension. As they say,– “Life’s not a rehearsal”–and
If you don’t take your opportunities, and you finish up on
“Skid Row”. You’ll get no help from Morris, and his cronies.
What sticks out to me is this; they are pressuring more young men to become ministerial servants so soon a jw can’t get married unless he’s a ministerial servant.
And why didn’t phillip morris explain how jw parents are to call authorities immediately if they believe their child was molested?
Or warn that there were men who were posing as jw who were actually child predators?
Instead he’s got to threaten everyone who might wear too tight of clothing.
When’s he gonna take off his $1000 suit and just wear a suit from Goodwill?
Don’t forget about the other Central Committee guys’ rants about “unpunctual people”: When meeting people on his morning trip to “Morning Worship”, he is getting busy with computing distances between people’s living quarters, the time it takes them to be there, and arriving at the final verdict “they are NEVERRRRR able to make it there in time, those WICKED UNPUNCTUAL DISORGANIZED DIRTY PIGS.” O come on, gimme a break: Is THIS what should be on the mind of the CEO of a global corporation? What kind of small-mindedness and pettiness is this? Oh yeah, and Bethel should better have attendance clocks, bec. all those crooked Bethelites are not working from 8 to 5. That’s interesting, thank you Sam, for providing us with those sobering insights into top-secret Bethel internal matters. Morale there obviously is at a very low ebb; it’s not only the ugly sock colors that are causing issues there. FREE NEON PINK COLORED SOCKS & MINT GREEN SKIN-TIGHT PANTS FOR ALL U.S.-BETHELITES !!!
No kidding: Whether Sam nor Tony nor this ridiculous face-contortionist Lett, those guys neither have class, nor charisma, nor stature, nor ANYTHING you would expect of people being in charge of a multi-billion global corporation. So, since they can’t be it, the question comes up: Who really IS in charge – behind the scenes, hidden behind the thick curtains, away from public view? Of no, it’s neither God nor Jesus, that much we know, but it can’t be Sam, Tony, Steven … either, bec. they are simply too lacking, it’s just impossible. to me, it appears that those guys are just dummies, stooges, front men to divert the public’s eye from who REALLY is running the show. That’s why it wouldn’t matter if Tony blows up today or tomorrow, bec. he is “not it.”
Did Jesus ever get married? Okay, then. Tony’s point stands.
I can think of 3 ‘b’ words that sum up that AGM.
Berating, belittling & begging.
I wonder if anyone else can see the abusive relationship this ‘mother’ has over her children.
Well…. That was unexpected. I was aware of the “tight pants” reasoning prior to the Branch Visit but I didn’t expect to hear it at the Branch Visit. Morris did catch me off gaurd there.
His interjection regarding the 23 year old non MS brother being unfit to wed also caught me off gaurd. What struck me the most about it was that it was an off the cuff statement tossed in mid stream to his main point. He actually had to circle back to get back to his point.
Yes. It stood out like a sore thumb to me that he stated a couple times that these were “Bible principles” and supported by WT articles. Only for him to proceed with opinions that were not supported by the WT and were tertiary to the Bible principles at best.
I agree that there are more pressing needs that could have been addressed.
Not to mention that during his conclusion the chairmain’s near to final words were “Obey the Faithful and Discreeet slave!” As we are to understand that: “Obey the Governing Body.”
Maybe it just struck me more head on because I have been investigating things as of late but that final statement did not settle very well with me at all.
Well being ” Old school ” I have to say I agree with his comments on dress.
The issue I see here is that these AGM’s would cost a fair bit to hold public. Why not address bigger more critical issues. Dress & grooming could be done on a local scale. Putting people down for how they dress or who they choose to marry isn’t pressing enough. The weightier matters need to be opened up & talked about & not kept in the closet like a family that has secrets. This just proves that they are treating everyone like idiots.
Anthony Morris doesn’t have a clue of what he’s saying….are you going to tell me that if a brother who is 23 years old and not a Ministerial Servant would not be a responsible, spiritual, family head?!? If that were true, then God would never of selected Joseph and Mary to care for Jesus when he was a child because Joseph wasn’t a priest, an assistant to the priests, or ANYTHING that would, by Jewish standards who placed much emphasis on position and status just as Anthony Morris is doing, would indicate that he was “special”. He was a mere Carpenter but he was a superb example of what true spirituality is! In most cases, a brother qualifies for an appointment in the congregation ONLY if the ELDERS say he is qualified. It is quite apparent that these Men simply do NOT reflect the wisdom from above, and I pity them because they have shown quite clearly that they don’t know the difference between the right and left hand.
Okay, so we all are aware, I’m sure, of the JW propensity to utilize semantics whenever they are engaged in any sort of debate, and they are expert at splitting hairs.
So, Tony just gave the JWs a loophole with his “Spanx” comment. There is an actual “Spanx” brand that encompasses items such as tights, leggings, bras and other types of underwear.
http://www.spanx.com
Therefore, if a JW should decide to wear any other brand of spandex or lycra workout gear, they are absolutely fine, since Tony told them that they should not wear “Spanx.” Do you suppose he purchased some shapewear from them at some point that he felt didn’t do the job he expected it to?
Even though I’m awakened, the 23+ year old brother should be a ministerial servant thing hurt me. It’s not only ridiculous to the girls, but it also suggests those brothers are no good in God’s eyes. How arrogant and unloving.
Here is some algebra for dummies:
“Obey God” = “obey us”
“Bible principles” = “WTS-Regulations”
“Seek first the kingdom” = “put our interests first in your lives”
“God’s smile of approval” = “our smile of approval”
“God is frowning at you = “we would like to rip you apart, YOU DIRTY PIG. HOW DARE YOU TO DEFY US!!!”
Makes sense? Want more?
In the Garden of Eden, they didn’t have pants of any kind.
So in the forth-coming Paradise Earth, when everyone is
perfect and not embarrassed by the sight of the naughty
bits, and if JHVH intends to impose his original standard.
The earth will be one big nudist camp. What a “Carry On”.
And if Joe Rutherfords prediction comes true, and all the
Women eventually turn into Men. The only thing on show
then will be the “Dangly Bits” which could start trouble
all over again in Paradise, due to jealousy and rivalry
( I wonder what the qualifications for elders will be then?.)
Of course Tony will be in Heaven looking down, will he be
Horrified at what he sees.? Well judging by his obsession
with a certain item of apparel, I have a feeling he would
be wishing he was one of the Other Sheep. Much more
fun than being up there, completely covered in a big white
Nightgown,.. And under the nose of, You Know Who.
Is Tony bordering on Mormonism?
He’ll be advising on underwear next.
When I was baptised, nobody told me not to wear a swimsuit (In those days you didn’t cover them up, it was like a bathing belle competition).
Perhaps the brothers in those days enjoyed seeing a bit of flesh, certainly I don’t think anyone took offence.
Perhaps Tony is more sensitive – Does he secretly like ballet? Oh, turn my eyes away from such erotic wear, I may have an orgasm! Oooh, too late!