By now I’ve written a number of articles about Watchtower, but it’s been a while since I’ve written anything addressing the organization directly.
A recent development, however, has moved me to write my former religious leaders a sincere open letter of gratitude, as follows…
Dear Watchtower,
As you may know, I am a passionate advocate against the damage you are inflicting on countless current and former Witnesses with your profoundly harmful policies on child abuse, shunning, higher education, domestic violence and blood transfusions.
I certainly don’t expect you to help me with my work of raising awareness of your dangerous, cult-like attributes – so whenever you do assist me in this respect I feel duty-bound to express my gratitude.
As you know, you recently lodged a copyright takedown request with YouTube for one of my “Getting To Know” videos featuring Tony Morris’ first rant about tight pants during his branch visit in Rome.
Oh, you know! The one where he scolded his audience saying “you chuckle, I don’t think it’s funny, I think it’s DISGUSTING!”
The video against which you so vehemently protested was a shortened version of the video below, minus the hilarious skit at the end with Will Ferrell and Jimmy Fallon…
It goes without saying that by issuing a copyright takedown request for this video, you are both (1) claiming ownership of its outrageous content (I assume on Tony’s behalf), and (2) showing the world that, like any good cult, you will move mountains to censor any information that makes you look bad – even if it originates from you.
I honestly couldn’t be more profoundly appreciative, and hence I will not be challenging your copyright claim – even though my video quite clearly falls under the “fair use” laws.
Besides, I set up the separate “JW Survey” channel precisely to shelter my John Cedars channel from this sort of petty, retaliatory action from you (which I have already experienced two years ago for uploading a song about Sparlock).
So, despite getting a strike against my back-up YouTube account, I can honestly say there is no real harm done.
On the contrary, you have done me a huge favor by showing the world how litigious, surreptitious, banal, cowardly, and ashamed of your own paranoid rantings you are despite being “God’s one true organization.” Readers of this website who would be otherwise ready to leap to your defense will have a hard time imagining Jesus filing a copyright complaint against someone for repeating his own words.
Far from it, Jesus (who you claim to be head of your organization), was apparently only too happy to take responsibility for his own words and own up to them because, as he put it, “I have not spoken of my own initiative, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak.” (John 12:49, New World Translation)
If you were truly “God’s organization” issuing life-saving proclamations through the holy spirit’s guidance and direction, you would be delighted that I am assisting you by spreading the words of one of the few members of your revered “faithful slave,” no matter how controversial these words might be.
Instead, your clearly-demonstrated desperation to conceal your own words (because you know full well they expose how backwards and deluded one of your leaders is) speaks volumes.
You are doing my work for me, and I can’t thank you enough!
I would also like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude that you have not sacked or disfellowshipped Tony Morris, as I once feared you might.
If the Governing Body had done this, it would have sent a clear message to all Witnesses globally that it takes its responsibility to be “faithful and discreet” very seriously, and will not tolerate one of its members laying down arbitrary rules without basing anything on the scriptures – behavior it is happy to denounce as “Pharisaical” when observed in other religions.
The fact that you have kept Tony Morris in his position despite his embarrassingly inappropriate rant against clothing (at such a prestigious event as a branch visit in front of more than 1 million Witnesses) again shows thinking Witnesses the true nature of your organization.
Your leaders are deluded and arrogant, drunk with their own power, and you are powerless to prevent them from “making an ass” of themselves (to quote Rutherford) – especially as their lust for prominence seems boundless. All you can do is mop up the damage afterwards and try to keep things hushed up.
And don’t think the fact Tony’s talk didn’t make the cut on JW Broadcasting’s “Programs and Events” page hasn’t gone unnoticed either.
So, thank you Watchtower. I really mean it!
Without your bumbling incompetence you would be a worthy adversary. Instead you’re proving something of a pushover. Every time you shoot yourself in the foot like this, you make my activism work far more easy and enjoyable.
Your grateful opponent,
:-):-),
People are reading your blog Lloyd. Seems you have their attention. Good. What is truthful is truthful.
Wow, is all I can say. They are afraid of your channel. That makes my day!!!!
and the thing is, they can’t take it back. It’s out there for the whole world to see. That video of Jimmy Fallon and Will Ferrell, says it all.
by their fruits They will be know
Outstanding activism!!
So this is how low God’s organization have become. Shouldn’t they be DF viewing apostate video ?
Be warned folks, tight pants brother might come and sort you out, whatever that means;-)
brilliant what a great Xmas present!!
I think it’s really troubling that he admits tight pants are suductive…. That’s like admitting he’s getting turned on by the young men! I can see why the Watchtower would want that taken down immediately.
Great article Lloyd, Gave me a warm glow this frosty Dec, morning.
Embarrassed by their own biased propaganda. It’s ok to tub thump
homophobic prejudices before an audience already conditioned to
accepting them.. But don’t reveal it to anyone else, it’s bad for the
image, bad for business.
They’re dinosaurs, living in the past, basing every aspect of life,
on an ancient book of myths. Ensuring that the embarrassments
will continue.
Racist statements from past publications illustrate their ignorance.
G, 7/24, 1929, Black races cursed, are a race of servants, no servant
as good as a black person.” ( paraphrased )
Feb, 15/1904,W,T, “Ethiopian can’t change his skin, but God can”
“First pair were perfect they were white” ( paraphrased )
What’s the point of having, one, video removed ? When there’s a
mass of their own claptrap out there to condemn them.?
I’m wondering if there are any statistics on how often they have tried to stop your Youtube videos in the past. I would seriously doubt this was the first attempt.
I still remember my mother many years ago explaining to me why ballet was a sin. She pointed to a Watchtower illustration and said,”See how tight those pants are!” Now I know where she got that kind of logic from!
Lloyd,
Excellent news, sir! The WTBTS have been forced into an action that they probably didn’t want to do, because of the reasons you have them in your open letter!
I agree, the logical and strategic thing to do would be to officially distance the WTBTS from Tony’s comments, but they won’t because they can’t! For worse, not better, former members of the governing body chose Anthony Morris III to be a member. His “big brother” chose him, allegedly.
This is the kind of work that has results. Well done, mate!
I hope that your dear wife and daughter are feeling better now, and that you have a great trip through Europe to visit your friends.
All the best to you and yours,
Peace be with you,
Excelsior!
Seems that they get really, really flustered when their own words are made public. Don’t they realize that by doing things like this the people they are hoping to convert to the “Truth” will simply see them for what they really are, which is a controlling cult desperately trying to hide anything that they feel will make them “look bad”?
Whew! Looks like you got under someone’s skin good this time! Little babies can’t take critics, can they?
Someone is looking at the WTBTS? Hmmmm. I thought they couldn’t and wouldn’t look at such ‘apostate’ sites? Hmmmmmmm.
I thought this was blasphemous to look at such, only to face condemnation? Hmmmmmmmmmm.
What a bunch of evil thugs it takes to threaten peoples lives that have looked at apostate sites and then go back and look themselves at apostates. Then they leave evidence of them looking by asking for a copyright strike, listing their own name? Astounding to say the least! Selected and only true religion, my big butt on fire!!! The should be selected for the hypocrite of the year award, and now there’s proof of it.
The watchtower is telling their followers not to write letters to the organization asking questions………they say all questions are already answered in their publications. They say it keeps the office staff too busy answering letters. Now I know why. The office staff is busy doing surveillance of your u-tubes and checking the internet for so called “apostate” writings. Busy people, they are keeping their “finger in the hole” to stop the deluge.
Genius! and so true and accurate… brilliant…
Does the Watchtower have a separate team for patrolling and policing the internet?
They are encouraging their people to go online, but at the same time, seem to have some delusions that they can control the information that the people will find there. Any JW with a real conscience, should not be afraid to see and hear both sides.
Why do they fear the truth so much, that they have to hide their own videos now? This was a member of the Governing Body, speaking for Jehovah God himself… By removing this video, they have taken those divine instructions away from us!
It would be interesting to find out what percentage of their donations, or how many millions of dollars, are now spent on damage control. (legal defense, internet and public relations…)
Each time they react in a way like this, they just appear more guilty. They are powerless against the worldwide web, and they know it. This battle is futile, and I think it will be the one that finally destroys them.
Some day, the people who have access to the internet will stop funding this vicious corporation.
Wowser. They continue to shoot themselves in the foot. I’m watching the Gilead graduation and quite some “gems” in there too. Almost all speak about obedience and humility. How about this gem from Mark Noumair, who was in the December TV show also; supposedly one of the highest quality teachers (being in the Teaching Committee):
(@3:20) “With more responsibility, it is a victory to do no harm. You do no harm when you view yourself as a nobody. Because a nobody doesn’t hurt anybody. When you think you’re a somebody, you hurt everybody.”
Four sentences contain it all: clever wordplay, black/white view, guilt-tripping, condescending. How ironic, about responsibility: reminded me of elders’ responsibility towards children, anyone?? do no harm???
Years ago at an assembly, the counsel given in regards to “apostates” was, leave them alone, don’t give them the time of day because they will soon fade. Hmmm…
The Governing Body doesn’t like the right to freedom of speech and expression.
They want freedom for them but not for others.
Thank yoyu very much for your work, Cedars.
From Spain.
Its simple pride which has brought them undone, a crack cocaine kind of pride- addictive, distorting of reality and ruinous. As others have said they have been doing this kind of censorship thing for a long time and are totally hardened now in this pride “groupthink” way of living and being in the world.
OMG really? Well, I’m gonna keep wearing my tight pants with pride! Gay pride!
You would think they wanted the publicity, HA HA HA HA HA HA ! ! ! !
But really though……HEE HEE….
What kind of man threatens his own spiritual brothers.because he wasn’t received well?
What kind of mind does a person have to have to believe that Christ fights for you if people disagree with you? A very judgemental, small minded, authoritarian bully.
“Please forgive them for trey do not know what they are doing”, comes to mind.
Duro however, we will destroy this satanic organization. We support you from Mexico.
And who’s this other character at the end of the latest JW video , wagging and pointing his finger?
Ah yes, I can see it now, Christ, wagging and pointing his finger during the sermon on the mount.
“And if you don’t listen and do what I say my big brothers , the angels, are going to deal with you”
Do us a favour mate p*** off.
Really got to me that finger wagging, really got to me. You can point your finger at me? Save it for the Judge when you stand up and defend a child in court!
It’s a bloody good job you didn’t walk into my bar and do that!
The Branch meeting is what made me start waking up. I couldn’t believe what my ears were hearing out of the mouth of a governing body member at such an important meeting. That was “food at the proper time???” I felt he was really going beyond the things that are written and lording it over the sheep. So I started doing my own research and that’s when I discovered the truth about their secret 10 year membership in the U.N. I was already suspicious about the new “tithing” arrangement, so I stopped contributing after that letter was read because I was afraid the money was being used to pay for pedophilia lawsuits. Since then I have been fading. Thanks, Tony for waking me up, and to you, John Cedars, for all you do.
What I found more horrifying at that branch meeting was the ADVICE not to marry a brother over 23 if he wasn’t at least a Ministerial Servant. Well in over 30 years of being baptised I know of at least 10 Elders who have committed Adultery & either reproved or mostly Disfellowshipped!! So how Good is that Advice as those sisters are left heartbroken Becauybeing married to an appointed man doesn’t Guarantee a Happy Marriage!!!
I have to admit that I enjoyed the first tight pants story and was a bit bored with the second one. However, if it takes 2 articles to get the rat to come out of the hole then so be it. Good work John.
Tony Morrison obviously is a loon. I think his rants are a result of ahemmm, well you know, his, shall we say physical inadequacy. Look you have to be pretty arrogant to partake in the first place. You have to fake humility all the time so people think your special when really you are really arrogant inside.
The result, self righteous rantings.
Reminds me of another self righteous loon, Nathan Homer Knorr and his rant to the “Bethel Family” about women saying what would any brother want with a hank of hair and a bag of bones. Shortly after his idiotic rip of the much more beautiful gender he showed up at Bethel married.
Watch out Bethel ,tight pants Tony will soon come out of the closet with his tight pants and two 20 year old boys under each arm. Don’t worry Tone Bethel just might buy you a mansion and a chauffeured limo like they did the last Nazi biggot Joseph Rutherford.
What to say to this ?
As an active JW I do believe that the time is coming when our current leadership has to be accountable for everything they done & do and said & say.
More over because they did consent to use the most powerful toll of 21st century !
If they GB do believe that this tool must be use for the objective they clearly state on our webpage at same time I hope the they did realized that this “need” to use this tool come also with certain risks and consequences ,about which they don’t forget to remind to us.
Any exposure in this digital age can NOT escape public scrutiny and this include talks which are meant to stay “private”.
The legal disclaimer before any talk given that AV recordings of our assembly,convention,branch visit talks …etc…should be use only for personal use because of copyright issue it’s nothing else just legal provision to escape future potential consequence of ones words? or ?
Therefore the take down request on Y tube was issued by WTBTS not by GB .Which is legally kosher …but …morally ?
WTBTS as legal corporation of JW has almost nothing to do with our GB at least by the legal affidavit signed by bro G.L.!? How we should understand meaning of your words?
Or should we believe that this leaked document is false ?
To use this logic or approach GB is maybe not aware if this current Y tube request or A.M. get upset and initiated this request?
Whatever is the case all of you should known that every action brings reaction and consequences so here we are.
Time to reform and fix our .ORG is probably here!
I do write this for you my brothers who are reading this don’t matter who you are I mean your standing in respective congregations.
Lost of issues must be address ,responsibly must be taken !
I do firmly believe that there are still many or at least some bros ideally those with some executive & ecclesiastical power and authority IN who are open minded and their conscience will move them to stand up for the truth base on things which are only scriptural.
From this perspective I would assume the course of wisdom is monitor and listen what my opponents say about myself and use it for my own improvement.
Having to said that I do expect that my bros siting in Brooklyn HQ read it and watch this or similar !
To ignore this natural fact of human interaction and existence is contra productive & self-destructive !
Moreover it brings shame to our .ORG more important on the name of the true God!
Peace & and love to all !
1 Cor.13:13
Brilliantly awesome Mr. Cedars! This makes me happy because now we know they watch your videos and probably read your letters too !!!
I think they weren’t quite prepared for the kind of activism that the Ex-JW community is capable of… This made my day!!
I’ve been fading for the past 8 months and jwsurvey has helped me tremendously! Thanks Cedars & Team <3
I don’t want to change the subject, but has anyone seen the December TV.JW.org. What an abomination! The woman who needs help financially gets a scripture read to her and is shown giving to the congregation and being instructed to give what little money she has. Sick Bastards! The GB live in luxury all over the world as evidenced by the beautiful branch facilities, the tailored suit the GB moderator is wearing. Pay attention to the other brothers suits, not near as nice, they are gathering and puffing up when they sit down, high quality tailored suits do not do that = BIG MONEY. Hey sister starve one of those skinny kids of a bowl of rice, I need a $5,000 tailored suit. Hey little girl make presents for the congregation and repeat after me, starving is happiness.
The only difference between Hitler and these sick twisted Bastards is that the GB torture people and tell them that the torture is happiness, Hitler didn’t bother to lie about it.
Yes, that video of the poor mother and two children was quite unsettling. It shows them all sad and down-in-the-mouth until they started contributing money to the organization, then they are all happy and smiling. Funny thing, Jesus and the apostles helped widows and orphans rather than telling them they could find happiness if they would only give to them.
:-)…sooooo in other words, they ran and cried to their REAL big brothers, and whined until they got their way and had the video removed lol…gotdamn spoiled insecure brats!!! they reek of dirty depends diapers and old curdled milk lol…only those who has lost their sense of smell and pride can tolerate being in their presence XD.
about the video of the hungry mother and children, smdh…I digress -_-…but im not in the least surprised. #classiccultbehaviour
and oh! a big high five to cedars…I like your style ;-)!!
There is only one religion teaching “having stood in the day of the Lord” ( Greek, past and present tense, kingdom interlinier)
“Sitting in the divine habitation”, looking down it’s nose in arrogance at any other “object of worship”.
The parusia is false. Now, when I read James 4, up until the mention of the genuine parusia, I can see it.
So before “nation against nation” ( beginning of genuine presence) ” many will come saying I am the Christ I.e “The anointed”.
So the question is. . Do you see a false parusia being taught by an arrogant religious body who describes themselves as the anointe, and who deny justice and take money from orphans and widows?
So without getting in to a religious argument, and if the temple is to be destroyed, we’re going to fine out if the Bible is right, but it won’t be Christingdom 1st.
In my mind no one could reasonable argue, wheather you believe or not, that the Watchtower, through it’s teachings and actions, is an evil slave.
So to Jehovah’s witnesses who are waking up, ” you have heard of the patience of Job”, look at the context frome verse 1 ch 4 James.
Down with Fuhrer Lloyd!