Reports are emerging of an announcement at the 128th Annual Meeting of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania that the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses now considers itself to be the Faithful and Discreet Slave Class of Matthew 24:45 in its entirety.
Previously it was understood that the Governing Body were merely humble “representatives” of the “Slave Class”, which comprised the 12,000 or more anointed remnant of Christians with a heavenly calling still on earth. Despite claiming to be “representatives” of this group of people, suspicions were raised in the minds of many thinking Witnesses after reading articles such as the Questions From Readers of the August 15th 2011 Watchtower, where it was admitted that the Governing Body has no actual communication with memorial partakers (the “anointed”) and even feels that some of these ones may be mentally imbalanced. (see w11 8/15 p. 22)
Many have predicted that, at some point in the future, the Governing Body would end this confusion by claiming that they themselves are the Faithful and Discreet Slave, with the anointed remnant playing no special role. According to numerous reports this has finally happened. However, this remarkable claim opens a labyrinth of fresh doctrinal puzzles that future publications must now attempt to explain.
The Annual Meeting at which this “new light” was revealed was held at Jersey Assembly Hall (The Stanley Theater), New Jersey on October 6th – the same day that a sensitive Watchtower letter was leaked on the internet.
Although I previously reported in this article that the meeting was NOT broadcast to other locations, this appears to be untrue. The meeting had a total audience of 15,514 including those watching via video link from Brooklyn, Patterson, Walkill and Canada. Some in attendance took notes of what was said during the meeting, and have leaked this extaordinary new information online, so the news is gradually spreading around the world even though this “new light” has not yet been presented officially in the publications as it normally would be. (Update: to read about the printed explanation of the “new light” in the July 15 2013 Watchtower, please click here)
Anointed demoted – Governing Body promoted
The new understanding was explained over a series of six talks delivered by various Governing Body members over a two-hour period. The purpose of the talks was to impart the following adjustments:
- The Faithful and Discreet Slave was NOT appointed at Pentecost 33CE, meaning that there has not been a continuous line of members of the Slave Class on the earth down through the ages. The Slave Class was only appointed for the first time by Christ in 1919.
- The Faithful and Discreet Slave is a small group of anointed brothers during Jesus’ presence serving at Watchtower Headquarters who are directly involved in the preparing and dispensing of spiritual food. The individual members of the Governing Body are not the Faithful and Discreet Slave. They only act as the Faithful and Discreet Slave when they are working as a collective body in making decisions regarding the dispensing of spiritual food.
- The “domestics” of Matthew 24:45 are all those who are fed spiritually by the Governing Body, whether of the anointed or “other sheep”. This includes individual members of the Governing Body when they partake of spiritual food.
- The events described in Matthew 24:46,47 now refer to Jesus coming during the Great Tribulation and giving the Governing Body their reward in heaven along with the rest of the anointed.
- The “belongings” of Matthew 24:47 refer to all of Christ’s heavenly and earthly interests.
- Despite founding the Watch Tower Society, Charles Taze Russell was not part of the Slave Class because he was not alive and serving at Headquarters when Christ made his selection in 1919. The work of Russell and his associates was like that of the “messenger” in Malachi 3:1.
- The cleansing of God’s people is ongoing because, apparently, the bible gives two accounts of Christ doing a “cleansing” work, once at the start and once at the end of his ministry
In addition to the doctrinal changes, it was also explained that:
- The Governing Body members now make decisions based on a total majority, meaning that if a doctrinal understanding does not have full agreement by all Governing Body members, it is “shelved” until a future date.
- The lecture for Gilead and Branch Schools about the Faithful and Discreet Slave being 1,900 years old has now been deleted.
It is understood that the above doctrinal changes will be explained in further detail in future Watchtower articles. However, it could potentially be months before these articles are published and then studied at congregation meetings. Reports on Annual Meetings are not normally published until the August 15th Watchtower is released in April of each year. In the meantime, many brothers will likely be confused and bewildered that the Governing Body has made such a radical departure from their previous understanding of Matthew 24:45. Still more will wonder why these dramatic adjustments were not first published in a Watchtower article so that they could be simultaneously disseminated throughout the entire organization rather than announced to a select few at a New York corporate meeting.
Anointed Christians who entertain a heavenly hope will feel particularly aggrieved at this latest humiliation. As memorial partakers they had already suffered the indignity of being labelled as potentially “mentally or emotionally imbalanced” in the aforementioned Questions From Readers article of the August 15th, 2011 Watchtower. In the same article, the Governing Body bluntly dismissed the suggestion that there was any requirement on their part to contact such ones when deciding over doctrinal matters.
Now the 12,000+ crowd of anointed spread throughout the earth has suffered the final insult of being demoted as members of the Faithful and Discreet Slave in favor of eight men in New York who have deemed themselves the only ones worthy of this title. When it comes to teaching Christ’s followers, the anointed must now share equal standing with the millions of the Great Crowd as Christ’s “domestics”, even though they are supposed to rule over such ones as kings and priests with Christ at some future date.
A subtle use of words
It is noteworthy that this “new light” stops short of expressly naming “the Governing Body” as the Faithful Slave – rather a “group” of anointed brothers serving at Watchtower headquarters, which can only be applied to the Governing Body in our present day. This distinction is significant, because it acknowledges that there was no Governing Body as we know it prior to 1971 – only the Watch Tower Society Board of Directors who, as I have explained in a previous article, were informally described as a “governing body” (lower case) only from 1944 onwards.
The significance of this is that, if Christ had come to inspect the organization and appoint the Governing Body as his Faithful Slave in 1919 he would have been disappointed, because this entity would not exist as a collective decision-making body for another 52 years! However, if Christ was less specific and instead chose “a group of anointed men at Headquarters” at that time, then Rutherford as Watch Tower President and his board of subordinate directors were available to be chosen collectively as the Faithful Slave. Even if you are prepared to accept this rather bewildering explanation of Matthew 24:45 (a scripture that most people regard as a mere parable), there is one particularly problematic doctrinal flaw that the Society will need to address.
No scriptural precedent for apostolic succession
If Rutherford and his anointed associates were selected in 1919, then on what scriptural basis can it be automatically assumed that their roles as the Faithful and Discreet Slave were transferable, or could be “inherited”, by successive generations of the Board of Directors of the Watch Tower Society – which, after all, is merely a legal entity?
Part of the basis of this new understanding appears to be that Jehovah has always used a small group of people to teach and dispense spiritual food to the many, and that in the First Century it was the apostles and older men who were given this role by Christ. However, the bible provides no example of how those appointed by God to be his representatives may pass their duties on to someone else in the event of their death without God’s clear and unambiguous approval. (Numbers 27:18-20) The idea of someone inheriting someone else’s position because they have died is clearly a fleshly concept rather than a spiritual one.
True, the Kings of Israel and Judea were succeeded by their male offspring, but they played no distinct role in instructing the people. Most importantly, the arrangement of kings in Israel was not favored by God, but rather instituted to placate the Israelites who demanded a king to serve under in the same way as the nations around them. (1 Samuel 8:5-8, 19) It’s therefore inconceivable that a monarchic arrangement in which those appointed by God may choose their own successors would be a feature of “Spiritual Israel” – an institution that is not subject to the whims of humans but is of purely divine origin.
In the case of the twelve apostles appointed by Christ, once these died off they were not replaced by successors. Matthias was the only apostle “of the twelve” who wasn’t appointed directly by Jesus, but he was only appointed as a replacement of unfaithful Judas by the casting of lots. (Acts 1:23-26) The Society themselves admit that the reason for the appointment of Matthias in this manner was due to the unfaithfulness of Judas, rather than as a response to Judas’ death. As further evidence, when faithful apostle James died (as with the rest of the apostles) there is no record of any concern over whether a replacement should be appointed. Consider the following quote from the Insight book…
“Sometime during the ten days between Jesus’ ascension and the day of Pentecost it was viewed as necessary that another be selected to fill the vacancy left by Judas, not simply on the basis of his death but, rather, on the basis of his wicked defection, as the Scriptures quoted by Peter indicate. (Ac 1:15-22; Ps 69:25; 109:8; compare Re 3:11.) Thus, by contrast, when the faithful apostle James was put to death, there is no record of any concern to appoint anyone to succeed him in his position of apostle.—Ac 12:2.” – Insight On The Scriptures, Volume 1, Page 129
The Governing Body has long pointed to Christ’s apostles as a divinely approved model for their collective authority, but they have never once explained how Christ has any involvement in their individual appointment. They are now asking us to believe that Christ directly chose Joseph Rutherford and his anointed associates as his modern-day “apostles”, or Faithful and Discreet Slave, in 1919 – but they will never be able to satisfactorily explain how, once Rutherford and his associates died, the divinely appointed authority of these ones was conferred to successive generations of Watchtower leaders.
In the past, the Society was able to evade this issue with comparative ease, because they could point to the Faithful and Discreet Slave CLASS as being ever-present throughout history from Pentecost 33CE onwards (i.e. individual anointed ones were not “succeeded” by anyone on their death), with the Governing Body assuming an albeit self-appointed and symbolic role as representatives of these ones in recent times.
Now, the Society has effectively scrapped the idea of the Faithful and Discreet Slave as a “class”, and now insists that the office of the Faithful Slave was bestowed by Christ on the shoulders of Rutherford and his associates in 1919, and this office was somehow passed down to successive members of the Watch Tower Society Board of Directors until the Governing Body arrangement was introduced in 1971. Thereafter, they insist that this “succession” continued as Governing Body members died and were replaced until we arrive today at a situation where eight individuals, none of whom had even been born in 1919, are now Christ’s “Faithful and Discreet Slave”. Not only does this sound incredibly implausible – most significantly there is absolutely no scriptural precedent for things to be done by God in this manner whatsoever.
In the bible, God’s favored way of doing things has always been to appoint either an individual or group of individuals to lead his people, and once these ones died their office (or position) died with them – unless God made clear that he was handing it to somebody else. In other words, God appoints people according to their individual merits, not based on who has gone before them. There is no reason to believe that God or Christ would do a complete U-turn and now do things entirely differently, especially during times such as these when the Earth is supposed to be on the brink of falling under Christ’s millennial rule, and divinely appointed direction is said to be needed more than ever by God’s people deep in these “last days”.
It is also interesting to note that, according to reports, the Governing Body is now insisting that the organization has been in an ongoing period of “cleansing” since 1919. Whether this will be somehow used to explain the idea of succession remains to be seen. The Governing Body may try to claim that part of this ongoing “cleansing” involves Christ appointing new members of the Faithful Slave. Regardless of how they try to explain it, thinking Witnesses will wonder why Jesus Christ needs 93 years and counting, not to mention successive generations of Watchtower leaders, to cleanse his organization and impart divine truth.
A talk by Samuel Herd apparently attempted to reinforce the link between the Apostles and the Governing Body, but admitted that once these Apostles died the “restraint” was removed allowing apostasy to set in. As I have already asked in this article, how can the Governing Body justify likening themselves to every feature of the First Century apostles apart from the key characteristic whereby no apostles were replaced once they had died?
A poor choice of slave
Not only is the “successor” element of the Governing Body’s new teaching highly suspect, but prior to this new teaching questions were already being raised as to how Christ could possibly have chosen Joseph Rutherford and his associates as his approved earthly organization in 1919. There are two main reasons for this…
Spiritual Food – I have already published an article detailing how the publications of the Bible Students in circulation between 1918 and 1919 were not just partially inaccurate – they were shockingly misleading and downright fanciful in their application of scripture. There are few more obvious examples of this than the Finished Mystery, which spoke of the distance between the place where it was written and the place where it was printed as having prophetic significance, and described Charles Taze Russell as speaking from beyond the grave through its pages and supervising the “harvest work” even after his death!
In another of my articles, on InsideTheWatchtower.com, I have presented evidence of racist bigotry in the pages of early Watchtower publications both before, during and after Christ’s supposed inspection. Rutherford in particular described black men and women as a cursed “race of servants” in a Golden Age article ten years after Christ’s inspection was supposed to have taken place (see The Golden Age, July 24th 1929, page 702). Bear in mind that the Golden Age, the forerunner of today’s Awake! magazine, is still considered a vehicle of spiritual food just like any other Watchtower publication.
In summarizing the publications of the Bible Students that were in circulation during the period of Christ’s inspection in 1919, nobody put it better than former Governing Body member Raymond Franz when he said…
“A direct investigation of the publications of the Watch Tower organization in the years from 1914 to 1919 reveals none of the prudent discretion that causes a man to ‘keep his lips in check’. It would be an insult to Christ Jesus to say that he selected this organization on the basis of what it was teaching, uniquely and distinctively, as of 1919.” (Raymond Franz, In Search of Christian Freedom, page 145)
The personal character of Rutherford – I am still relatively recent in my “awakening” from the indoctrination of my upbringing as a Witness. Throughout my young life “Judge” Joseph Rutherford was frequently held aloft as a shining example of a humble servant of God, and to this day he is lauded by the Watch Tower Society as a man of great wisdom and courage. Such a depiction of him features prominently in the recent Faith In Action DVD series. Even so, the more I read about “Judge” Joseph Rutherford, the more I realize what a monstrous and vile man he truly was.
The Society’s problem with Rutherford is that, try as they may, they cannot prevent documented evidence of his questionable character from surfacing – especially since the internet has made it easier than ever before to share such information that would otherwise be hard to obtain. For example, I will shortly be publishing an article that will attempt to pull together some of the documented evidence of Rutherford’s temperament – in particular that which came to light during the libel lawsuit with Watchtower lawyer Olin Moyle between 1939 and 1940.
I will go into these matters in greater detail in my future article. However, suffice to say there is documented evidence connected with the lawsuit to suggest that:
- Rutherford allowed an atmosphere of alcoholism to prevail at Brooklyn Bethel, to the point where Bethel family members who decided to abstain from alcohol were ostracized and ridiculed.
- Rutherford was a bully, and used rude, abusive and patronizing words to humiliate Bethel workers that he disapproved of.
- Rutherford afforded himself a life of luxury with multiple residences across the United States while ordinary Bethel workers lived in cramped and squalid conditions.
- Rutherford was discriminatory in allowing one sister to get married and live in Bethel with her husband even though he had forced another brother to leave Bethel in disgrace because he chose to marry.
Added to what I have already mentioned about the racist material that was printed in Watchtower publications under Rutherford’s presidency, it seems inconceivable that Christ, who favored no race above another and encouraged his followers to be meek and humble, would choose a man of Rutherford’s bigoted and contemptible character to form part of his “original” Faithful and Discreet Slave. (Mark 9:35; 19:14) Even so, with this latest change of understanding, we are now being asked to believe that Christ not only approved Rutherford’s character, but found him and his associates the only worthy candidates out of all the humans on Earth at that time to form part of his “faithful and discreet slave”.
Fast forward to the 21st Century, and similarly we have a group of men who, despite having nowhere near as bad a reputation as Rutherford, still leave much to be desired in both humility and intelligence. As I have explained in another article, I recently started uploading videos to YouTube that focus on the words spoken from the platform by various Governing Body members.
One such Governing Body member, Anthony Morris III, boasts of disobeying orders from a superior during the Vietnam War, and even routinely calls himself “the Shoemaker” – insinuating that the guidance in his talks originates from his own wisdom rather than God’s. Anthony also uses a “monarchical ordinal” (a roman numeral) after his name to distinguish himself and honor his ancestors. Is this really one of the eight most humble men available on the Earth today for Jesus to appoint as part of his Faithful Slave?
Outstanding intelligence has never been a prerequisite for those who are used by Jehovah. Moses was not a fluent speaker, being “slow of mouth and slow of tongue”. (Exodus 4:10) Jesus’ followers were said to be unlettered and ordinary. (Acts 4:13) Even so, in an era where the ability to communicate effectively is so important, it is surprising to observe the lack of basic knowledge in certain Governing Body members.
In one talk, Anthony Morris III coined the term “thinkingest” to describe Jehovah’s people, and in another talk Stephen Lett felt compelled to explain to his audience that God’s “express will” has nothing to do with express trains, or “expresso” coffee, but simply means God’s clearly stated will. The fact that Stephen saw the need to explain this simple term, or research it for his talk, raises serious questions as to his intellectual credentials as one who is called upon to teach millions of God’s people around the world. Again, would Jesus select men who fall so desperately short with even their basic knowledge of words to communicate globally with his people (or “domestics”) out of the billions of potential candidates at his disposal?
A Predictable Change
I’ve already mentioned that some have long predicted this new change in understanding. I myself considered the possibility a few times, but I felt it would be some time before I would see the teaching actually introduced.
Interestingly, some time ago we ran a mini-survey on this website asking “Who is the Faithful and Discreet Slave?”, and 15% of the 530 who voted said they thought the term referred to the Governing Body. This well-illustrates that a good number of Witnesses are already oblivious to the matter. It also gives evidence of the cunning way in which the Society has incrementally slipped suggestions of this teaching into its publications over some time in readiness for the change.
As an example, at the 2012 Safeguard Your Heart District Convention a new brochure was released entitled Who Are Doing Jehovah’s Will Today? Page 22 of this brochure carried the heading “Who Is the Faithful and Discreet Slave Class?”, and answered the question (in part) as follows…
“They are genuine, spirit-anointed followers of Jesus. The ‘slave’ dispenses timely spiritual food to fellow worshippers of Jehovah. We are dependant upon this faithful slave class to keep giving us our ‘measure of food supplies at the proper time.'” – Luke 12:42 (Who Are Doing Jehovah’s Will Today?, p. 22)
Most people reading this paragraph before being told of the new “understanding” would fail to spot that the word “all” is crucially missing after “they are” and before “spirit-anointed followers of Jesus” in the first sentence in bold. Whether the omission of this word was deliberate is, I suppose, a matter of conjecture – but it seems more than a coincidence that, just a few months after printing this brochure, it was announced that NOT “all” spirit-anointed followers of Jesus are to be considered part of the Faithful and Discreet Slave. Supposedly, only eight individuals in Brooklyn now have this special role in God’s purpose.
What this change means
All of this is first-and-foremost about increasing power and control. By claiming that they are now the Faithful and Discreet Slave in its entirety, the Governing Body reinforces their authority over the organization and their influence over millions of Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world. Rather than, in the minds of many Witnesses, being theoretically answerable to a larger group of thousands of anointed fellow worshippers who they claim to serve as “representatives”, they are now answerable to nobody but Christ. Nobody can question their position because, just as with the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, they can now claim their authority has been granted to them directly by God through Jesus.
Even though I understand their reasons for making this change, I believe it will cause more problems for the Governing Body than it will solve. Not only have they opened up an entirely new Pandora’s Box of doctrinal issues in their need to explain plausibly how the 1919 Faithful and Discreet Slave has magically become the Governing Body of today – there is something even more troubling that they should concern themselves with.
Many Witnesses were already baffled by the total authority assumed by the Governing Body, and how they have wielded this authority as representatives of the Slave Class without any communication with their anointed fellow christians. This was indeed a major source of doubt for me, and one of the many things that led to my eventually “awakening” from my indoctrination. The obvious disparity gave me the courage I needed to research my beliefs more objectively.
Now that the Governing Body has so brazenly swept aside their anointed colleagues and stripped them of any significance whatsoever in the dissemination of truth to God’s people, I feel there may be a backlash from thinking Jehovah’s Witnesses who were already harboring serious doubts but who will now feel “enough is enough”.
There are only so many lies and deceptions that you can load up on an intelligent human being and ask them to take seriously and base their entire life upon before something snaps. Eventually these falsehoods become too numerous and too hard to believe, and (as happened in my case) an individual will finally decide they have had enough. I believe this may happen on a considerable scale with Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world once this new teaching becomes widely known.
Added to the already considerable downsizing in the organization caused by a slowdown in global growth, it may be that before long we will start to see the number of publishers enter negative growth as those who are already mentally on the fringes start to leave the organization in droves. Only time will tell whether the new teaching will play a significant role in this likely exodus, but the downsizing of the organization has already begun, and I certainly don’t believe this new teaching will improve matters for the Society.
Over the years the Governing Body has grown increasingly arrogant and out-of-touch. You can only hide those sorts of attributes for so long before they become plain for all to see. For a while I entertained thoughts of new brothers being gradually added to the Governing Body who would see through the lies and do the honest and humble thing by admitting that they do not enjoy God’s blessing and eventually dissolving the organization – thereby setting millions of misguided worshippers mentally free. However, the more I observe the frequency with which the Governing Body is making mistakes both doctrinally and procedurally (particularly in relation to handling child abuse), the more I feel that the future of the organization will be irretrievably jeopardized far more quickly and effectively if the existing members are allowed to continue undisturbed in their obvious self-importance and ineptitude.
Summaries of this article are available in the following languages: Hungarian | German.
A PDF of notes taken at the Annual Meeting is now available, and can be downloaded by clicking here.
Please read my follow-up article by clicking here.
Skyrainbow: Do you HAVE eternal life now? 1 John 5:11-13. How can we lose life that is eternal? It is a present possesion that can never be taken from us. Romans 8:37-39
Skyrainbow. I have no idea what you’re talking about. I gave an example of what the modern ‘F&DS’ is claiming are fully consistent teachings re: wizards and sexual crimes against the children of JWs.
You must be confusing ‘Franks.’
Frank 2
PS: Actually, Rutherford’s ghost still walks the halls of Bethel, don’t worry. Fundamentalism is a tough stain to remove.
Skyrainbow, do you have children?
By your answering the second baptism question: “Do you agree that you are associated with God’s spirit-directed organization” (now, ‘spirit-anointed,’ and ‘association’) you agreed that, with the unfortunate possibility (based on the increased chances of sex offenders being present inside the congregation) that should your child be assaulted, and if one year AFTER the incident(s) take place, should the policy be reversed, that is, that the WT will fully co-operate with secular law, that YOU and your wife (or other way round as we don’t know your gender) are fully responsible for the damage done to the victim(s) due to the application of human ‘wisdom’for the rest of theirs and your lives?
Did you say, “I do”?
Do the GB ever self-implicate?
Have they ever re-instated individuals who have been disfellowshipped for teachings or policies that have changed or reversed since the decision on that individual?
If a prisoner in the docks of a courtroom told the judge or jury that, even though they murdered the victim, since then they’ve received ‘more light,’ do you think that would be a good legal argument?
“skyrainbow November 12, 2012 at 6:00 pm
Reading all the comments here reminds me of the dog that bites the masters hand that has always fed him.”
Interesting comment, Skyrainbow! By ‘master,’ who do you mean?
2 Corinthians 1:24
Skyrainbow – you claim that your group (Watchtower Society) are the only true religion, right?
Well, good ol’ Judge Rutherford said one thing that has proven absolutely true:
“RELIGION IS A SNARE AND A RACKET”
Notice something – He left out the word “false”. And that’s what makes his statement so powerful. You people all want to belong to a religion. And fight about “who is right”. Not realizing that you’re ALL wrong, one way or another. So, without realizing it, Rutherford included his own religion – the Watch Tower Society.
Which places your present Governing Body in a really difficult position – their claim to appointment is based on his claim that he was appointed in 1919.
As Jesus Christ would say – your own mouths said it
Frank, I can assure you, my children have been always very safe in the Christian congregation of J.W. In our circuit I know only one congregation with a paedophilia case. The elders informed the authorities, he was disfelloshipped and is now active in a group of apostates. You can be sure, in proportion, apostate groups have more paedophiles than J.W. So, Frank, some modesty
would be to your credit.
That is a pretty sick thing to say. Ex witnesses (who you call apostates) are just as sickened by paedophiles as the average JW. But there is no doubt than any organisation that will only only act if there are two witnesses are going to attract that sort of person. Most ex witnesses are people who can no longer go along with all the lies, guesses and false satements the gov body make, not because they fancy young kids.
Thanks, Skyrainbow, for confirming that it is not just apostates who are ‘mentally-diseased’ (The Watchtower, July 15, p.16) You remind me of Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi propaganda minister, who had the target of his writings believe that Jews spread diseases, all had large hook-noses, and were single-handedly destroying the German economy.
Actually, Skyrainbow (what a pretty name), you also confirm what I now believe, that organised religion merely institutionalises a person’s existing prejudices. It’s obvious you hate ‘apostates,’ but what about gays and women? Do you keep a white hood in your bottom draw to bring out on special occasions?
Another myth is that homosexuals are usually child molesters. Actually by far it’s heterosexuals. Why? Like rape, child sexual assaults are a crime of power and opportunity.
Once I raised the ire of another of your ilk when I used Bill Bowen’s term ‘paedo-paradise’ when up against his blinkered view of the WT’s policy. He called ME a ‘lying propagandist.’ I provided him with sites such as http://www.amw.com/fugitives/case.cfm?id=35566. Fugitive Fredrick Cecil McLean has an interesting back-story you can read on Silent Lambs about his WT career and how he was able to move from place to place under the present (the then policy). This blogger reckoned the site was a propaganda fake; to which I explained America’s Most Wanted is not an ‘apostate’ site. To date he hasn’t relented.
Are you like that, Skyrainbow, or have you just changed your name?
Unlike you, when Bowen and I use the term, it is NOT to suggest that the WT has any higher statistic of paedophile, it describes the ease of movement within a crowd under such a policy. The latest deliberation of the GB has changed nothing; it’s just shifted the deckchairs on the Titanic.
Frank 2
I never really realized how pathetically sad, bitter and frustratedly angry the vast majority of Jehovah’s Witnesses were in a manifested way until I came to this Blog…Trust me! I saw it and experienced the losses from the vengeance of the wrath in many ways over 30 years and even virtually with hands laid upon me many times but never with a side by side comparison before and the frilly, happy sunshiny name syndrome is intriguing! This is a rare and unique opportunity…like prisoner to the paroled so to speak? I don’t know if that’s the best analogy off the top of my head…
KtotheRAD, Your words are intriguing. I don’t understand a single one of them. Would you care to explain.
Thanks
Frank 2
Frank, I have post secondary education, an IQ not far below 200 am bilingual and spent most of my adult life working in and around clinical and Human Services fields so I don’t know why you are having an issue, I’m sorry for your cognitive distortions but I will do my best to assist.
“I never really realized how pathetically sad, bitter and frustratedly angry the vast majority of Jehovah’s Witnesses were in a manifested way until I came to this Blog” ~ I’m not entirely sure what you don’t comprehend here but I likely would have been better advised to use ‘comparative’ rather than manifested since I really have. That was my key word error and I apologize for that.
“Trust me! I saw it and experienced the losses from the vengeance of the wrath in many ways over 30 years and even virtually with hands laid upon me many times…” ~ I was made homeless repeatedly, lost all of my property (Cash value alone I estimated to the Society in the hundreds of thousands) and vehicles, jobs and was slandered, disciplined and relationships sabotaged so that I was never permitted to have a wife or family, physically assaulted innumerably and crimes and schemes perpetrated against me. All with the full knowledge and documented oversight of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. I could go on about the deaths and violence and child abuse against others
“and the frilly, happy sunshiny name syndrome is intriguing!” ~ The apparent need for JWs to do this as if they are self deluding has not gone unnoticed before and is in fact intriguing…
“This is a rare and unique opportunity…like prisoner to the paroled so to speak? I don’t know if that’s the best analogy off the top of my head…” Needs no explanation (I hope?) and I am rather offended and somewhat perturbed at having to do this since it is degrading and a could be perceived as a public humiliation. (if someone were to allow it to be but fortunately I’m all but impossible and impervious anymore to humiliation ) as well as unnecessary so I won’t be returning to this forum.
Tschüss!
Konrad, I don’t wish to be disrespectful, but your comment to me, someone with no post-secondary education, is like binary code. Obviously, the fault is mine (I am nothing like your IQ), as I am having trouble deciphering it. I am VERY interested in what you have to say and would really appreciate it if you paragraphed, punctuated, and were less oblique in your writing.
Perhaps a little history about this blog would be good too. Is there something in particular you have an issue regarding my comments?
I appreciate your effort so much. Don’t be discouraged as I am looking forward to understanding what you’re telling me.
Thanks again,
Frank 2
Frank (1), Rutherford’s legacy to JWs today (among other things) is the gift of martyrdom. This forward, strategic, and ambitious man, had the foresight to write and have drawn a number of insulting religious and political cartoons about his anti-religious, some probably even read by Hitler (particularly anti-Catholic feelings). This worked well, as it got him imprisoned, released, and exonerated (apparently “exonerated” was Rutherford’s claim as there is no such thing as legal exoneration – NB. There is far more to the story as can be gleaned from the 1918 court transcripts). He then set about declaring his and his fellow ‘slaves” acts as fulfilling prophecies in the Bible book of Revelation.
Even though Skyrainbow, a devoted follower, is perfectly aware that if he/she genuinely accepted the teachings of the GB, he/she would have shunned those he thought of as apostates; he/she has returned over and over again to accuse, insult, and degrade people he doesn’t even know. I call this Martyr’s Syndrome, as I perceive Skyrainbow (such a pretty name) as imagining this, not as an information forum, but rather a burning pyre with him/her at the centre.
Of course, Skyrainbow will get roasted, but only in a way that entertains us, his fans and critics. Obviously, Sky doesn’t feel alive unless it is perceived that whipping and scourging is taking place.
Dear skyrainbow
You are an amazing person. For some weeks now you have been posting messages on this site.
Not once do you offer one word of encouragement, comfort or help. Instead, you use words to break us down.
How different from Jesus Christ. He came to bind up the broken-hearted, to give a release to the prisoners, to heal. This is why he was beloved by the “outcasts” of that self-righteous Jewish society. Sure – the Jews had a great Temple, the Law of Moses, and were obsessed with their claim they were the ‘chosen ones’. And yet – they had zero understanding, or compassion, or humanity. In his parable Jesus describes them as “walking past on the opposite side of the road” rather than help people in need, as “binding up heavy loads, but not lifting one finger to help”.
Anyone with the least amount of common humanity or empathy would understand that most of the people visiting this site are “lost sheep”. And not only lost – many are hurt, grieving, injured, and spiritually sick.
How did we end up in this situation? Well, at some point in the past we got involved with the Watchtower Society (who profess to call themselves Jehovah’s Witnesses). They promised to help us. They promised to teach us “the Truth.” We gave them our attention, our time, our financial support – our whole lives.
What they actually gave us was teachings of men, private interpretations, cunning contrivances. They abused our trust. With smiling faces they spoke swelling things of no benefit. They exalted themselves. They interfered in our private business. They caused dissentions in families, and separations. In some cases our wives and children were molested, or worse. In other cases, we were threatened, or physically assaulted. Who did these things? Men they appointed. Why are they equally guilty? Because they refused to take action, they covered things over. By so doing, they became “a sharer in the sin.”
Then, seeing we had nothing left they could take – they lost interest in us. And as the final injury they use people like you to slander us. So – we are brokenhearted at all the failed promises they made, sick of their lies, grieving at the damage done to our faith. You see, despite everything – we still want to love God. We still put our faith in Jesus. But you people make it so difficult for us. Truly, you shut the doors of the Kingdom of Heaven in our faces.
So here is a warning to you, and all like you. Jesus Christ said “whoever stumbles one of these little ones who put faith in me, it is more beneficial to have a millstone hung round his neck and be sunk in the sea.”
He also said “the true shepherd looks for the lost sheep”, and the true neighbour shows mercy. Why not do what he says? Instead of breaking us down with words, wasting time condemning us – why not offer some help? Give some comfort to those who are sick, injured, weary, brokenhearted.
On the other hand – if you have nothing positive to offer, no help, no comfort – then KINDLY LEAVE US IN PEACE. As Jesus said to the self-righteous: “go away, and learn this lesson – God wants mercy, not sacrifice.”
Yours sincerely, Frank
It is obvious what is happening here. Skyrainbow, he or she, with a name like that, more likely to be a she, needs to be told. By…BY. She likes to throw a spanner in the wheel, to drag red herrings over the path, to change the direction of the comments…… Away from Cedars original research and information. Now who would wont that to happen. Just tell her By BY, and we will see her over the great divide when Jesus returns to separate the sheep from the goats. Lets hope she is not put in with the goats.
Frank and Willows, what Skyrainbow is is the shell left when her spiritual solidity is gone. I think she’s searching and that’s why she keeps coming back. She must be encouraged to talk and it’s the job of spiritually-well to help get her brain and reasoning working again.
Frank 2
Skyrainbow- I quote from WT 5/15 2012, p26: “Let us therefore have nothing to do with apostates or anyone who claims to be a brother but who is dishonoring God. This should be the case even if he is a family member. We are not benefited by trying to refute the arguments of apostates or those who are critical of Jehovah’s organization. In fact, it is spiritually dangerous and improper to peruse their information, whether it appears in written form or it is found on the internet.”
If you really believe this Skyrainbow, stop visiting this and other similar sites and confess to your elders what you have been doing and be ‘readjusted’. However, that is not what I recommend. I agree with Frank 2. Please stay and start making constructive comments and you may even want to tell us some of the things that are obviously bugging you.
By the way, I am ‘active’ JW, going to meetings, out in the ministry- but it’s all for show. I am trying to figure out a way of exiting the org without being DF’d or resigning- the damage that would do to my family with the WT shunning policy would be catastrophic.
Regards, Jimmy
Hi Jimmy, I was in your position a few years ago. All my friends and close family were JWs. I managed to fade away, by just gradually doing less and less. Obviously you will get asked if everything is ok, and really all you have to say is that you have some personal problems at the moment. Providing you do not come right out and say all the things you disagree with, there is nothing the elders can do. As far as everyone is concerned you are just spiritually sick. That is fine, they can think what they want. You know the real reason why you are fading.
Well gradually become inactive (Fade) and avoid any confrontations with the elders when they start chasing you up regarding your reduced activity. Eventually you become totally inactive including not attending meetings. Many in the congregation will not want to soicialise with you but your family and relatives in the organisation should do.
Hello alan. People in the cong don’t ask me but ask my wife “how’s jimmy’, ‘how are things at home’ or ‘is everything ok’ etc. One or two talk to me, have a funny look on their face and I can tell they just want to ask me ‘what’s going on?’, but they don’t. One elder thinks I have something against him, but didn’t approach me, but asked my wife if he could come and talk to me at home. I’m still waiting…… Actually I stepped down as an elder nearly 2 years ago and this particular elder has hardly said a word to me since.
Does not surprise me, that people don’t ask you directly what the problem is. Do you want the elder to come around? I thought you wanted to fade quietly. If the elder comes round, you will find it very hard not to say why you are doing less now. Remember in your baptism vow you agreed to go along with the organisation and their doctrines. If you show him you are no longer willing to do that, you are in effect disassoiating yourself from the organisation. If you do not want that, I suggest you do not have the elder round. He will probably want to bring another elder round as well. Immediately you show signs of rebellion you are a targate for disfellowshipping.
I was a mini servant and a reg pioneer, but was able to gradually fade. Not easy, but so worth it.
After reading the last comments I am more and more convinced, apostates are real losers. They lost their faith, the truth, loving brothers and sisters and Jehovah’s approval. Yes, they need encouragement, comfort and help but they must first realize in what for dangerous situation they are for the moment.
I do not hate apostates but I hate their new goal in life, bashing Jehovah’s Witnesses, their former brothers and sisters. I hate their ungratefulness. They forget how much they know thanks to the devote brothers of the Faithful and Discreet Slave. Even now they are using their sites and publications.
They do not realize they fell in “the trap of the birdcatcher” (Psalm 91:3) “who is misleading the entire inhabited earth”
Revelation 12:9.
Sky I have lost track of the times I and others have said to you to tell us all the lies that we are supposedly spouting. As you have not been able to do that, you are regarded now as just hot air.
So last chance, tell us all what ex witnesses have said on this forum that are outright lies.
You are right about us using the societies publications. That is the only way to get through to most JWs. You and others have been shown how the society change something the moment it is proved wrong. This happens over and over again. The latest is because of the internet, many people can now see that most of what Charles Russell said was absolute rubbish. So what do the society do about it? They say actually, he was not a member of the FADS or any governing body. He was not presenting food at the p[roper time at all.
It happened with the generation teaching. They kept changing it and changing it until they could change it no more.
They changed the date of 1935 as that became obvious to all that it was a made up date.
It is JWs who are the losers. They believe every lie and guess the society make, until the society have to change it. You are the one who is not able to do independant research without the Watchtower’s publications. That makes you and other JWs very much the losers.
I just realized Sky, you were probabbly writing about Jimmy’s problem with leaving the organisation.
Practically any other organisation in the world, are quite ok with you walking away from it and telling others why you left. As a JW you cannot do that. The moment the elders realize you are telling people about the societies failings, you are a target for being disfellowshipped. And as you know that means no contact with family and friends ever again. Even close family members who sd not live in the house with you will shun you for the rest of your life. Is it any wander that people find it so hard to leave.
Skyrainbow,
You really need to think about what you are doing. It certainly appears that you need help.
Don’t you realize that your Organization will disfellowship you if one of it’s members finds out that you are spending all this time on what they call an ‘apostate website’ ?
The whole situation is totally ironic. We – the so-called apostates – are trying to help you be obedient to your Organization.
And do you know why? Because if you get disfellowshipped for ‘associating with apostates’ you will lose everything you claim to value – the love of the congregation, your family, your friends – everything. And you clearly have no idea how much pain that causes a person.
We do. We’ve felt the pain, the hurt, the anguish of being cut off by people we thought we could trust, people we thought were our friends, through thick and thin.
And I don’t think any of us want you to get hurt. So, please do yourself a favour. If you think your Organization is so wonderful – you’d better start living by its rules.
Otherwise – the only friends you will have will be us. Don’t worry – we do our best to follow Jesus. So we will forgive you all the names you called us in your ignorance.
What a great post Frank, and every word is so true. It’ a a kinder version of what I was trying to say to Sky. It is the one thing that most JWs cannot get their head round. That is, that ex witnesses want to help others so they do not fall into the same trap we did. It took some of us decades to see the light. Hopefully others will check things for themselves properly before they commit to this religion.
If someone does check it out and still wants in, that’s fine, at least they know what they are getting into. Unfortunataly many do not. When I was fading, a very good friend of mine wrote me a letter asking why I was not associating any more. So I told her very politely but honestly. Do you know I never heard from her again, and yet she was supposedly a very close friend. With friends like that, you do not need any enemies. The love JWs show is totally conditional on you agreeing with everything the gov body says.
Frank, thank you for ‘trying to help me to be obedient’. I can’t control my tears.
By berating and judging us and expressing your hatred towards your enemies, who do you think you’re being loyal to, Skyrainbow?
Sky, did you not read and understand the WT article I quoted? The ‘Slave’ is telling you that it is ‘improper’ for you to have any contact with us ‘apostates’. So please leave this ‘dangerous’ website immediately and seek ‘readjustment ‘ through your local elders- or you could take a deep breath and start actually conversing with us, it’s really quite therapeutic.
alan, no I don’t want the elder to ‘visit’. I’m well versed in the Society’s methods, having been an elder myself. He won’t get anything out of me. I was baptised before they changed the 2nd question, so as far as I am concerned, ‘organisation’ is irrelevant’. My ‘fading’ will be slow and strategic. I have something up my sleeve which will rock the BOE in my congregation- I’m just waiting for the right time to present it.
Cedars it is reasonable to think through an announcement that the Faithful and Discreet Slave is a specific group of people. And ask questions about the spiritual food being dispensed. We need to go back to 1919 and examine the written evidence as has been mentioned, to see if it agrees fully with Christ’s teaching.
Prudence demands one to be careful, discreet in what is presented as spiritual food at the right time. Living in 1919 is no different to living in 2012. Christians can not run ahead of Christ and publish information like Studies in the Scriptures. Influencing others and taking them on a wild goose chase spiritually. Then claim to be faithful and discreet.
Allen, you are saying ‘it took some of us decades to see the light’
Decades? Wow, apostates are very intelligent!
But is it really the light you see? Jesus said: “Be alert, therefore. Perhaps the light that is in you is darkness” Luke 11:35.
Skyrainbow: “I do not hate apostates but I hate their new goal in life, bashing Jehovah’s Witnesses, their former brothers and sisters. I hate their ungratefulness…”
Here is one of your principle misapprehensions, Sky. When did any of us ‘bash Jehovah’s Witnesses, their former brothers and sisters’? Don’t you get it, Jehovah’s Witnesses (genuinely and innocently indoctrinated ones) are often the victims, not the perpetrators.
I believe in pretty much all core doctrines that the GB have taught WHERE THEY SHOW CLEAR HARMONY WITH GOD’S WRITTEN WORD.But over the years, many many many doctrines have come forth that show clear harmony only with human thinking.
Here’s an example:
Acts 15:28,29 was once interpreted fundamentally to mean ALL blood products were to be ABSTAINED from, right?
When the GB added the word ‘whole’ to the word ‘blood’ a new philosophical layer was added to the core doctrine. Suddenly ‘abstain’ was broken into, excuse the pun – components.
Tell me, Skyrainbow, do you think that the fact that the GB had to accept inoculations containing blood components in order to travel to other countriesto function as representatives might have had some influence on this sudden ‘new light’?
Now contrast that with the stubbornness (not boldness) in refusing Caesar the authority to do what GOD admonishes Paul through Scripture with regard to protecting the children and young people in their midst.
We know that the WT will ONLY report criminal acts to the secular authorities IF they are SPECIFICALLY required to.
Do you think empowering rank amateurs to solve complex legal, moral, and ethical problems is the godly thing to do?
Do you see my point, Skyrainbow?
The story you report above about alleged child abuse would fail too impress many, if any, on this site based on your record of comments.
Frank 2
Willows: “We need to go back to 1919 and examine the written evidence…”
Try: http://thegoverningbody.org/holy-walls-and-the-winds-of-change-part-1/
Skyrainbow: “Frank, I can assure you, my children have been always very safe in the Christian congregation of J.W. In our circuit I know only one congregation with a paedophilia case.”
Are you sure?
http://www.fearnotlaw.com/articles/article33803.html
There are many fairly intelligent people in the organistion, and many can give the same story is me. Most realize that there is something wrong, but fail to do anything about it. For my part I had a great social life and many apparant ‘friends’. Also all my family were witnesses and there was massive pressure to stay in the org.
When you speak about light, it is the organision that has ‘new light’ not ex witnesses. Often as Jesus said that light can lead to darkness. In other words the new light comes to nothing. That is exactly what happens in the org. They change something, then change it again as soon as it is obvious that the new light was nothing of the sort.
Really pleased to hear that Jimmy. Great that you were baptised before that second question, as was I. You seem to have it well under control. You must let us know how it goes, and what it is you ‘have up your sleeve’ Have fun.
Thanks alan. It’s just ‘Theocratic Warfare’ in reverse. We get to do it to the Org. The worst thing for me is people asking things like- “How did you enjoy the Assembly Day?” or “what did you think of the Assembly Day?” These questions were put to me just last week. The first question contains the expected answer. I can’t be truthful, or I’ll give myself away, so I have to tell little white lies. If you’ve got any suggestions on how to deflect these typical JW questions without arousing suspicions, I’d be grateful. Thanks
I think if I were asked what I thought of the assembly day, I would simply say ‘it was ok, but its stuff we already know really isn’t it.’ I would want to send out the message that I am no longer whole hearted, but would make sure I didn’t slag of the org.
My father in law was a very keen elder, and when he tried to engage me in converstion, I just acted very bored about the whole thing. He soon got the message that I was no longer very keen. That way you are paveing the way for an exit, and it will not be a sudden shock to anyone when you do stop attending etc. They will just say,’yes I saw it coming’.
lol
I have the feeling that everyone wants me to leave this blog.
Why? Do you feel uneasy because I am exposing the arguments, distortions and lies of apostates?
By the way, Alan, is Frank’s statement that de ‘organisation will disfellowship me if one of its members find out that I am spending all this time… on this website’ not another lie?
No way do we want you to leave. It is good for you to see why others have left the organisation.
I will give you a challenge. Go to the body of elders (not just the odd one) and tell them that lately you have been spending a lot of time talking to apostates on the internet, and you find it very interesting hearing all the reasons why they left the organisation. They will then answer you with a warning. You then reply saying ‘No it’s fine honestly. I am going to continue posting to them, and will probably tell others in the organisation all the ‘crazy’ things they are saying.’
I guarrantee you will very soon before a juditial committee, telling you if you carry on doing this you will be disfellowshipped.
Try it, I dare you.
You also called this another lie. We haven’t heard from you yet what were the list of lies you feel we have told you.
The only reason you have been warned off this website is because you are cared about and we don’t want you to get in trouble. So by all means stay.
Alan, the problem about your (stupid) challenge is that I am not here to see why others have left Jehovah’s people. The Bible is very clear in telling us why some leave Jehovah and ‘shrink back’. Hebrews 10:38,39.
I am convinced you find here also sincere persons who are deceived by the lobby of apostates and I am trying to help them realize in what for dangerous situation they are for the moment. The real reason I am here is to expose the lies and ‘counterfeit words’ of rancorous apostates. (2 Peter 2:3) in the hope sincere persons will return to our loving father Jehovah.
Why is it a stupid challenge? I am simply telling you how it is. Presumably you agree with me, otherwise you would have no problem speaking to them.
You say you are here to expose the lies and counterfeit words of ex witnesses, but so far you have done neither have you? You are totally incapable of listing the lies you speak about. Others can see that, which is why no one is leaping to your defence, as you may have noticed.
The bible tells us very clearly to check what we are told is correct. You need to do that, and not just accept every whim and guess the governing body throw at you. I checked, and that is why I am now an ex witness.
Skyrainbow: “I have the feeling that everyone wants me to leave this blog.
Why? Do you feel uneasy because I am exposing the arguments, distortions and lies of apostates?”
I think the people here would like you to explain this comment! What have you exposed? All you’ve done is grizzle, accuse, and insult. We want you to leave because you have no spiritual gift. You’ve got to have an argument before you can ‘expose an argument.’ I’d like to say, “nice try,’ but it wouldn’t be the truth (that’s ‘truth’ with a small T).
Sky- I have not ‘left’ Jehovah, I am still active in the cong. You assume that any Witness that challenges his/her beliefs has ‘left’ Jehovah. Not so, as the comments on this blog testify.
alan- thanks for your suggestions. I think I’m already giving people the impression that I’m bored, so I’m already well on the way to fading.
Hi Jimmy: I was an elder for many years. After I left, the elders in my Kingdom Hall visited me with a circuit overseer.They forgot who they were talking to when they tried to use the WT tactic of blaming the rank and file for believing Armageddon would come in 1975! I actually said:
“Do you know who you are talking to? Please don’t talk to me like I don’t know anything. You are blaming the members for believing what the Society said! This is ridiculous!” They looked puzzled (?!!) This visit was soon after I resigned as an elder in June of 1979. Nothing will change. The leadership is in denial on the past. They always will be until their eyes are opened to believing Jesus Christ by faith alone and not by works.