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
Related videos…
So if a jw couple want to get married, but the brother is over 23 and not an ms, are they not allowed to get married at the kingdom hall?
I was born and raised a witness ( I am 43 now ) and every time a new circuit servant came, I would think to myself “this time, during this overseers 3 years, I’ll be appointed as a ministerial servant ” . I regular auxiliary pioneered, never missed a meeting .. Really tried hard … My best.
It never happened. Always overlooked. The only ones who were appointed were “lickers”. Or those who’s face fitted.
Nothing to do with spiritual qualifications.
Broke my heart actually….
Still managed to get married though ….. To a great big fat lass! That’s all non ministerial servant brothers could get (good job I’m a chubby chaser). =)
Never set foot in a Kingdom Hall in over 5 years and my head is still totally done in. Still worry about Armageddon. Still worry about “letting my kids down”
They’ve done a real good job on me.
Look at this website every night (and other ‘apostate’ sites) … It’s become a routeen. It’s serious stuff. It’s not a joke. Totally ruins your life. It’s not getting any better. Totally stuck in a loop. Lloyd, you are looking tired m8.
Like me, is not seeing your family starting to tear you down yet? It’s only been a few months. It will.
What’s the answer?
“Lloyd, you are looking tired m8.”
That’s what a 6-month old baby will do to you! ;)
Thanks a lot John for the time you spent to do a review of this speech (and the subtitles)… Wow… i’m just speechless… so happy to have took the decision to leave this organisation and his creepy teaching this year!
And.. the TIGHT pants again.. hahaha.. i was wearing them by the way at the kingdom hall… And sisters liked it :p
One of the reasons I left was because of the obvious politics. Generally the sons of elders were more trusted and given “privilege” than (spiritual) orphans who were treated with suspicion and treated more harshly.
I do not believe that in truth they care about such issues. This is what it has always been about, control. If you bend to one rule then another and so on, you end up a cult zombie.
Its all about control so they make up issues to distract, over loaded and keep the people herded just like a sheep dog, always nipping at your heels with new light and new rules. 100 year anniversary of the end of the world, got to keep control.
What, John is great. And although he devotes many many hours to enlighten US the EX JW’s and give us support, I know he “sees his family” do not be negative do not discourage his work. He is a very balanced man which is obvious by what he does and says. That is why he is no longer a JW. He would never neglect is family. Not sure the reason for your comment.
Why can’t the rank and file JW’s see and hear what we do. received text from one of the few family members that still “occasionally” communicated with me. She wanted to let me know “how encouraging” Br. Morris talk was. OMW!!! I asked about the tight pants and spanks and she replied, you only see the negative, I heard so much encouragement. When I ask what encouragement, of course no reply. Any vail removers out there?
I was sitting next to a 20 yr old couple during the talk. They are getting married soon. They are both from “strong families” full of elders and have pioneered . However the bro is not a ms and wont be one anytime soon. He is just a couple yrs removed from a dfing. Plus I know he won’t try or make ms anytime soon. HOW DO YOU THINK THEY FEEL?? just weeks from their big day! Will she “pay” for marrying a “regular good guy” ? I am sure he feels either pissed or about 3 ft tall also . We know how people take EVERY “message ” from the wt or GB so literally
Show me, from the scriptures, that a brother needs to be a ministerial servant before he can marry.
Are the GB sat in the divine habitation?
What a bullshit concept new light is. That which is complete is complete in itself. What they really mean is they made errors.
It is frightening that so many people are held captive. It’s beyond delusional Lloyd it’s evil.
Interesting and somewhat frightening. A Morris is more and more becoming a clown. Poor sisters! The good thing is that many of them probably have had their eyes opened and are leaving. Just the same as I [I’m male] did > 10 yrs ago.
Cathy, it would be a great thing to have that question forwarded to the GB, and possibly receive an answer.
Will you do that and come back here and tell us? I do not live in the US, that’s why I ask you.
What really scares me (scared in an intellectual way) is the fact that Tony Morris the third (your majesty!) thinks that Jesus is his ‘special’ big brother. Not any of yours, just his and his fellow GB’s! And that Jesus would come back like some bully, to beat up on people that didn’t show the GB enough respect, adoration and bum-licking. ‘Cause that what Jesus is all about, right?!?
This guy really is a nut. He not only has this religion all wrong, but he has got Christianty all wrong too.
Then, of course, is his fascination with tight pants. I think he should join the Mormons with their magical, and loose, underwear, that keeps you from having ‘bad thoughts’.
To the man that feels bad about not being appointed as an MS and still fears Armageddon and stuff, you’re not alone. Yes, these people screw with your brains and some damage is done. It is important to associate with others who have left the cult, to salvage your self-esteem that was stolen by these self-serving “brothers”. The hoops that were set up so that would would have to jump through like a circus animal were designed to keep you subservient. Every authoritarian organization does this and you would never have succeeded, you were never meant to. But don’t worry, you are free now while the others who thought they had you enslaved are still captives themselves. Every time s door is slammed in their face they will feel the pain they tried to bring on you!
Hi,
Joh 4:21, 23-24
21 Jesus said to her: “Believe me, woman, The hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will YOU people worship the Father.
23 Nevertheless, the hour is coming, and it is now, when the true worshipers will worship the Father with spirit and truth, for, indeed, the Father is looking for suchlike ones to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit, and those worshiping him must worship with spirit and truth.”
Christian has no physical place as a center of worship or something spiritually significance.
Forbidding to marry
Jehovah’s witnesses claim not to spilt families up. . . Bloody el their splitting them up before they’ve begun now.
Without offence don’t ever say Jehovah’s witnesses don’t split up families. My evidence is in writing.
Questions from readers regarding oral sex and a scriptural divorce 1970s
How many innocent mates where divorced and labelled as a fornicater?
How many innocent children lost a parent?
And no doubt when the society changed its mind the poor barstood had to pay for the privilege. Show me an apology.
Would love to you to write an article on it Lloyd. I would do if I had the educational abilities.
In this 3 minute part of Anthony Morris the 3rd’s talk, he insulted almost every one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Early on in his talk, he tells about a good J.W. father in Mexico that left for work at 6 a.m. and didn’t get home from work until 8 p.m. and he was a good Dad.
At about 18 minutes, he goes into an experience from a Bethelite and his father that raised 7 children.
The father is dead. All 7 children are still in the “truth” but the 2 younger boys aren’t serving in their congregations and so the father felt responsible and guilty because he felt he failed as a father because he didn’t spend as much time with the 2 younger boys as he did with the 5 older children who had been regular pioneers or elders or Bethelites. The father should have been proud of all his children, shouldn’t he???? After all, all 7 are still in the “truth” but no, because these 2 younger boys aren’t serving as at least ministerial servants or pioneers or Bethelites, then evidently, the father has failed in raising them and feels ashamed of them and is depressed about it. The one at Bethel tried to console the father by telling him in letters that the times were hard and the father did as good a job as he could have but Anthony Morris comes back and tells the Bethelite that no, the father was responsible because he didn’t take the time with the 2 younger boys just because the father was obviously suffering shame and depression over the fact that his 2 younger boys weren’t living up to J.W. standards for men.
Tony Morris the 3rd insulted every J.W. man who is not a ministerial servant and every J.W. man who isn’t one by the age of 23. He is insulting every person who is not a regular pioneer or an elder or a ministerial servant or a Bethelite. He is insulting every parent who raised a child who is not in the “truth” by telling these people it was their fault that they aren’t making the “truth their own” because they did something wrong. He is insulting every parent who has raised a boy who is not a servant by the time they are 23 or a daughter who isn’t a regular pioneer.
Tony the 3rd raised 2 boys and they both went to Bethel so he can pat himself on the back and tell himself that “he did everything right”. He doesn’t give any credit to his sons at all. It’s all about Tony. He is a supreme narcissist, insensitive, arrogant, self-righteous, stupid, uncaring, lazy and putting himself as the judge over this man and every person in the organization as to what is acceptable to Jehovah or not by saying that no, it was the father’s fault that he should be ashamed of his 2 younger boys because they aren’t servants or pioneers or elders or Bethelites, even though all 7 are in the “truth”. Tony put himself in the place of God, just as all good narcissists do.
I maybe old and deranged:-) but sometimes yound ones ‘Satan comes as a man of peace’.
In my opinion this religion is not about being Christian and treating everyone with respect and helping others in need. This religion is all about appearances. You must all dress the same, speak the same – be a witness clone, and as long as you are at the KH and in service getting your hours in, and get appointed as an MS or an elder, nothing else matters. Corporate culture? You bet. Throw others under the bus to get ahead, innuendo and gossip, brown nosing, and the bottom line is money. Give your life to the corporation and you will be rewarded – someday – probably – possibly – maybe.
I chose to take back my life and give glory to God through Jesus, and the witness religion becomes more of a distant memory that is fading every day in my rear view mirror.
Wow, Folks!
Where to begin! The personal opinions of Tony are bonkers!
Beware of brothers who are wearing tight trousers and are not MS by 23! Don’t wear appropriate clothing to exercise!
Blame yourself if your kids leave the WTBTS! Be blood guilty if you don’t do hours and hours of field service!
These moronic ramblings are as far removed from Christianity as chalk is from cheese!
Did anyone else notice the laughter that erupted when some of Tony’s choices comments were uttered? Does this mean that the rank and file will ignore these “epistles”?
Peace be with you,
Excelsior!
Appointment of elders and servants.– Nepotism and Cronyism,
are endemic in human nature, from picking the football team at
school, up to Government level. This organisation is no different.
brothers not in the loop, see this and it weakens their morale.
Favouritism is not regarded as a sin, but the Bible says it is.
James 2 / 8-9.
Another wrong reason for selection is, a brothers ability on the
platform, I’ve known elders who could give excellent talks, but
in their everyday life were less than genuine, and honest
Marriage age, 23 is rather old,– In my cong, it was more like
18 or 19. Due to the paranoia over fornication, which comes
from the Bibles, and the Org’s, over-emphasis on the subject.
( Which in turn is likely the result of celibate Priests, and Monks,
who put the Bible together, from thousands of bits of manuscripts,
and inserted their own ideas.) ( Forging letters and documents has
gone on through-out history.
When the hormones start raging they’re irrepressible and will find
a way. Waiting till some brother becomes a M,S, is a non starter,,
and “Tight Pants” could even be an advantage.
Mike,
I’m sorry for your pain, sir. It is completely natural and it will change and pass.
Don’t feel that you have to stay a believer, now that you have left the JWs. There’s a beautiful universe out there to be explored. If you are, that’s great, but you don’t have to be.
I strongly advise you to seek comfort from us all in the ex JW Community. There are so many good hearted people out there that will help you as much as they can.
We are all unique events on this planet. There will never be another human being like us ever. We are important because we are unique. I find great comfort in that.
I do not know your circumstances, so I’m not going to give you any specific advice.
What I would do, as someone who has suffered from mental health issues, is seek help from your GP, and ask for any help that can be provided. Your feelings are right, even though they are sad. It’s only natural to mourn the loss of a close, loving relationship with your family. We are here to offer an understanding ear, and offer you our sympathy for your sadness.
Peace be with you,
Excelsior!
Well… Tony isn’t paying attention to what the Governing Body use to teach. I was taught that “in later times” people were to watch out for men who forbid marriage.
Tony should really give his head a shake. I’ve never read where there was a time-line where sisters were told they could not marry a man older than 23 if he wasn’t an m.s. by then. What about the men who are older than 23? Does this disqualify their right for “sisters” to marry them? What type of activity do you think this would encourage amongst the ‘brothers’ “Tight pants Tony”? It’s better to marry than to burn with passion isn’t it?
Tony, Tony, turn around… you have something that needs to be found ! common sense.
Thanks excelsior, appreciate your comments. You always make sense when ever you comment. By the way, I’m not criticising John cedars at all. I’m just saying that as a fully awakened ex witness, I find the shunning unbearable. I’ve had work colleagues advise I go back and get reinstated and then never go back – for the sake of my elderly 83 year old parents (who are broken hearted)
I’m just asking how he copes with it, that’s all.
Anthony Morris “the turd” has made my life worse by these bloody shunning talks. Not to mention the wonderful watchtower articles about jehovah viewing disfellowshipped relatives as dead and not to mourn them. Really?? How in a million years can that be right?
The very off the wall comments made by several members of the GB: mastaurbation makes you gay, person cured of mental disease when he shot himself in the brain, the chickens story, women have small brains, all beg for evidence. They are getting into medicine, anatomy and basic science hence if the stories are made up for the purpose of making a point, we need to know. I believe to be false, but since they seen to be 100% certain, they owe us the proof. Let’s have it boys!
Anthony Morris III is doing the Lord’s work. It’s good to see the media, exJW’s, and even active JW’s having a chuckle at the of Tomo’s buffoonery. I wonder if the great and powerful wizard is ready to jump behind the curtain?
What bugs me more than anything is that the leaders of the watchtower had the entirety of it’s followers attention.
The leaders did not choose to address any of the real problems it’s members face daily. It addressed clothing and the face it wants to present to the world in order to entice more people in.
If he gets off on shaming people why not shame them for the elderly members rotting away in nursing homes with no visitors? Or shame them for members who go hungry and no one tends to them because it’s not their “job” or “let them get food stamps or food boxes”
There is a lot of shame that the watchtower can ride it’s members for. Colored socks or tight underwear is way down the list. It just makes the man look like a lusting closet homosexual who’s fixated on the wrong things.
Cathy Murphy from Sylvania, Ohio?
My sister is married to an elder. One of the few things that she does in life, besides meetings, bible studies and door to door…is exercising. And yes, she wears workout clothes! I feel so sorry for her, because now she has to struggle with that nasty, guilty conscience, that some of us were tortured with. I have yet to ask her what she thought of this talk. They’re animals trapped in a cage, and they don’t even know it.
How about the 4 elders & 3 ministerial servants I went to pioneer school with in the 1982 who were all over 23 years of age and 6 are disfellowshipped for adultery the other for homosexuality!! The children of these appointed men have suffered severe emotional problems. Many have left the truth distraught at what their dads have done.There is no guarantee if you marry an appointed man that the marriage will be happy.Many of the wives were neglected because of responsibilities in the congregation & some of these appointed men ran off with regular pioneer sisters who they were helping.Anthony Morris you need to be on medication.But you probably already are.I am sure you are having hallucinations!!
More elitist thought-training from HQ. So, the push now is to baptize kids before 21, so males around 20-30yo are pushed to become MS and elder by 30yo. Smacks of desperation as someone would wake up by mid-twenties and certainly age 30yo to the glop coming out of the Watchtower’s kitchens. Those who don’t qualify apparently get booted out of the gene pool–akin to Warren Jeffs’ and other cults’ formulae for “worthy” husbands and exiling unworthy young boys and men from the community.
This makes three GB gone off the ranch, or rockers–Lett, 1914 is as factual as gravity; Losch, I am my own organization; and Morris, with Pat Robertson-ish delusions of morality.
100 years since 1914, the Brits have planted scores of ceramic red poppies in homage to the World War I veterans who were lost in the Great War. What icon should be planted in homage to the countless number of adherents to the Watchtower’s failing forecasts, doctrines, teachings, mandates, and “suggestions” that have died, suffered injury to body and mind, or wasted time and resources in pursuit of “smoke and mirrors”?
oh, yes, the colored socks.. another Nathan H. Knorr in the making. And, yes, to obsess with gays–what is the secret?
On a more strategic or political level, I would think Morris stays on the GB simply to appease those diehard conservative, “old school” JW’s who come from the era of “no dancing,” “no worldly music” and no “secular trendy” fashion statements. The Jaracz Boys and Girls.
Losch’s court affidavit may simply be a ploy to dodge a subpoena, but could be a lunge at the segment of adherents who wish autonomy from Watchtower’s centralized authority. While Lett is another traditionalist, if not a conservative, holding to the traditional “eschatology” of adventism (with Bible Student interpretation) that “Jesus is coming, pack your bags.” (Martin).
There you have it–the three faces of Eve–the Watchtower.
Mike –
Just trying to help. All I can suggest is that you write to your elderly mom and dad and tell them that you love them and that you will always be there for them.
They probably feel that they failed in some way when you turned your back on WT, I don’t know.
All that training in what you thought was ‘truth’ messes you up when you find it’s a lie. It’s a crisis of conscience. Have you read the book by Ray Franz, it really helped me to realise that my thinking was not wrong in turning my back on the organisation. Please do not feel you’ve failed your kids – if they are out, you have probably saved their lives. And Armageddon, that old spiritual blackmail tactic ‘What will you do when the sky turns black’? Why worry! If the Most High in his loving kindness says we’re not good enough to live – then so be it. It’s no good living your life in fear of something that may never happen to you. You are only 43, learn to love yourself and learn to love life. In the words of Desiderata, ‘You have a right to be here.’
Thank you so much for this site. I am home.
It gets better Mike. Continue to mourn your loss. Feel those feelings that for so long were discounted and minimized. Grieve the loss of your old life and family. It really is a grieving process. And continue to see the good in the “world” that we were taught was so wicked. Some of those heathens are blessed even!! Hee hee!! You will continue to be blessed as well. I promise. “John’s” reference to his ‘awakening’ is so spot on. I use that term a lot to describe my process. “And the truth shall set you FREE.” Now I truly understand this scripture. As my son said when he was 13: “Mom, I realized when I was about 10 or 11 that I didn’t HAVE to believe what I was taught when I was a kid, I could believe whatever I wanted to.” I was so proud of him for being so insightful!! (And admittedly, a little proud of myself as a parent for encouraging that in him.)
It gets so much better. It does. Finding your own path really is very exciting!!
Excelsior, I always appreciate your wise and compassionate comments as well. Peace be with YOU. Thanks all for being here!!
wow Mike, can you imagine what s*storm would start if one of the GB members would call his wife such derogative and hurtful things? Making fun of her being some kind of damaged good, rejected by the prominent parts of your conregation? Even IF you meant this as a joke, it was horrible! You’re probably not that great a looker either?
It isn’t healthy trying to live up to an impossible standard.