Watchtower continues its barrage of abuse toward those who disagree with its teachings
Watchtower continues its barrage of abuse toward those who disagree with its teachings

The latest Watchtower launches yet another scathing attack on ‘apostates’, namely any current or former Witnesses who disagree with the organization’s teachings.

The July 15, 2014 issue brands any who deviate from official dogma as “devious,” “hypocritical” and “divisive,” not to mention “foolish and ignorant.”

Witnesses are thus urged to “completely avoid, yes reject, apostasy” by avoiding debating with apostates “whether in person, by responding to their blogs, or by any other form of communication.”

A PDF version of this latest magazine can be found on this link.

No proof necessary

Two study articles are almost exclusively set aside by Watchtower for stirring fear and suspicion regarding any Witness who would dare to question the organization or its teachings. Bible verses are invoked that, on closer inspection, have little or no bearing on the issue of dissent against Watchtower itself.

Israelites who witnessed the destruction of the sons of Korah would have been left with tangible evidence of Moses' authority
Israelites who witnessed the destruction of the sons of Korah would have been left with tangible evidence of Moses’ authority

Page 7, for example, draws parallels with the sons of Korah, who were consumed by fire from heaven for questioning the authority of Moses and Aaron.

In a clear nod towards Watchtower’s view of its own critics, the opponents of Moses’ authority are described as “arrogant renegades attempting to usurp the priesthood,” who had “deluded themselves into thinking that God would accept their worship.”

But the writers overlook the fact that the divine execution of Korah and his sons by fire from heaven and by the ground swallowing them up would have itself proven that Moses and Aaron enjoyed God’s favor and backing.

The Governing Body, by comparison, offers no tangible evidence whatsoever that they occupy roles comparable with Moses and Aaron. No proof is deemed necessary that they have been specially chosen by God to “take the lead” among his people. Witnesses must simply take their word for it that Christ chose the organization in 1919 without question.

But if evidence is not required for Witnesses to believe this crucial teaching, then how does the Witness faith differ from any other religion?

If you are still not familiar with the “new light” on the Governing Body, please click here.

Devious for a reason

The same article, on page 10, warns that Jehovah “does not tolerate hypocritical worship.” In particular, it points the finger at apostates as being “devious person[s]” who are hated by Jehovah for “deliberately [putting] up a front, feigning obedience while practicing sin in secret.”

w14 7/15 p.10
w14 7/15 p.10

Presumably this “practicing sin in secret” is a reference to the fact that many apostates within the organization practice the “sin” of disagreeing with the organization without doing so publicly for fear of reprisals. But by attempting to stigmatize them in this way, Watchtower overlooks the reasons why apostates behave in this manner.

Witnesses like Karl-Heinz Kusserow who pursued their convictions in the face of oppression are rightly hailed as heroes by Watchtower
Witnesses like Karl-Heinz Kusserow who pursued their convictions in the face of oppression are rightly hailed as heroes by Watchtower

For example, Watchtower literature is replete with experiences of Witnesses in oppressive political regimes of the 20th Century who continued to publish and circulate literature under threat of punishment and despite bans on their work.

Such ones would courageously find ingenious ways to conceal publications and continue their worship by whatever means.

The fact that some Witnesses were underhanded in evading the authorities for the pursuit of their convictions is rightly applauded by Watchtower, who hails them as heroes rather than denouncing them as “devious.”

If Watchtower were to allow Witnesses who no longer believe their teachings to leave freely, they would be perfectly entitled to bemoan those who feign loyalty to the organization while being secretly opposed to it. But when you punish people for leaving your religion, in direct violation of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, by coercing family members to shun and loath such ones, you cannot have it both ways.

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.” – Universal Declaration of Human Rights, article 18.

Stigmatizing those who are blackmailed into remaining within a religion against their will as “devious,” “hypocritical” and “putting up a front,” using the pages of the same magazine that urges reprisals against such ones through shunning, is small-minded, sadistic and cowardly.

It is also itself hypocritical when you consider Watchtower’s history of lauding those brave Witnesses who pursued their faith and convictions, to the death if necessary, while also under oppressive and ruthless regimes.

A little too convenient

The next article, entitled “Jehovah’s People ‘Renounce Unrighteousness,'” does not shy away from telling Witnesses exactly how they should respond to former believers who offer a differing opinion.

w14 7/15 p.14
w14 7/15 p.14

Conveniently, therefore, Jehovah’s Witnesses are denied the opportunity to judge for themselves whether so-called apostates really do spread “unscriptural teachings.” Watchtower has graciously already made that decision for them.

Rather, Witnesses are barred from even communicating with apostates or “responding to their blogs,” since this is deemed contrary to “Scriptural direction.”

To drive home this point, the following image on page 15 portrays apostates as being angry and intimidating…

apostates-small
Image from w14 7/15, p.15

 

If by any chance you are a concerned Witness reading this article, please ask yourself the following questions: “Isn’t this a little too convenient on Watchtower’s part? Isn’t it rather obvious that they would want me to ignore the other side of the argument if they don’t have the truth? If this really is ‘the Truth’, what does the organization have to hide? What is so terrible about honest and open debate?”

The “mentally diseased” scandal

This new material is arguably the strongest anti-apostate rhetoric to come out of Watchtower’s writing department since the notorious July 15, 2011 issue. It was this magazine that sparked global controversy when apostates were smeared as “mentally diseased,” to the astonishment of some outsiders.

The “mentally diseased” slur was actually based on the previous New World Translation edition’s mistranslation of 1 Timothy 6:4. Instead of apostates being “obsessed with arguments and debates about words” (as they are described in the latest ‘silver sword’ version), back then the same verse described apostates as being “mentally diseased over questionings and debates about words.”

But rather than apologize for allowing such an obvious mistranslation to flavor their offensive name-calling assault against former believers, the Governing Body’s teaching committee made sure the “mentally diseased” slur was included in talks given during last year’s district convention series – only months before the new bible with its amended translation was released.

As the above video points out, Watchtower’s approach to dealing with so-called apostates is characterized by the well-known propaganda tactic of name-calling, and this latest magazine article is no exception.

Rather than refute their opponents through open debate, dialogue, and the application of logic and reason, Watchtower’s strategy is to bully, smear and stigmatize dissidents with derogatory expressions and mischaracterizations, urging Witnesses to avoid them entirely rather than judge for themselves.

On the one hand it is depressing to consider that such a juvenile and cowardly approach will work only too well with the majority of Witnesses who WANT to believe they have the true religion. On the other hand, this aggressive approach will not fool everyone.

There will always be those whose critical thinking faculties have not been completely compromised, and who will thus be able to see through the negative spin and ad hominem vitriol.

For such ones, it is painfully obvious that the efforts of activists are taking their toll on this floundering organization for it to be behaving in such an ungainly manner. Those of us who aren’t afraid to think for ourselves must take courage in realizing that the more we witness Watchtower lashing out with such anger and desperation, the clearer it is that we have them on the back foot.

 

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Further reading…

120 thoughts on “Watchtower continues assault on ‘devious’ and ‘hypocritical’ former believers

  • April 13, 2014 at 5:20 am
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    @Deceived Sister,
    I like that “DECEIVED” sign, too!!

    Jehovah Witnesses are so “DECEIVED” that for “Memorial partakers […] A number of factors—including past religious beliefs or even mental or emotional imbalance—might cause some to assume mistakenly that they have the heavenly calling.” (w11 8/15 p. 22)!

    This applies primarily to RUTHERFORD and today’s GB who dare write such an article which, for critical thinkers, is against them!!!! they are DECEIVED DECEIVERS!!

  • April 13, 2014 at 5:34 am
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    @anonymous,
    That’s the way it is! I pity Jehovah’s Witnesses women! They are considered so inferior by the Organization they worship that they can’t even touch the “Shepherding textbook” (ks10)!

    Any woman who will try to escape powerful hands of Elders will be described as “JEZEBEL”

    *** re chap. 10 p. 49 par. 8 Abhorring the “Deep Things of Satan” ***
    so this female influence may be trying to manipulate husbands and elders. It seems that the elders in Thyatira are tolerating this immodest Jezebel influence. Jesus here sounds a strong warning for them, as well as for the global congregation of Jehovah’s people today. In modern times, some such strong-willed women have induced their husbands to become apostates and have even instigated court action against Jehovah’s faithful servants.—Compare Jude 5-8.

  • April 13, 2014 at 9:59 am
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    “The only unforgivable sin is to believe that God can’t forgive you….” Madmen.

    I truly believe this statement, the exact opposite of Watchtower doctrine.

  • April 13, 2014 at 10:10 am
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    Thanks Kat for the insight into the WTS own publications. The WTS’s own words are their own downfall in most cases. Unfortunately, the rank-and-file ‘sheep’ don’t really question the latest study articles and fail to research the WTS’s own self-condemning written words.

  • April 13, 2014 at 10:39 am
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    Notice that this dictatorial article has come out just after the ‘leak’ of the kingdom hall funding letter. Along with protecting their position and power, they are also protecting their wallets as was exposed in the letter concerning the kingdom hall fund.

    This reminds me of the much misused proverb by the WTS concerning the pathway of the righteous keeps getting brighter and a brighter. If the WTS is so righteous, then shouldn’t the pathway be bright because they are doing the right thing? Should they not be open to examination for all to see? Obviously not! They want to hide their incorrect theology from their servant slaves, err ‘sheep’. I am also reminded of Jesus’ parable in Matt 5, where a righteous person would not hide their lamp under a bushel. The GB seems to be doing just that to their congregations and elders by keeping them in the dark.

    Mentally diseased!?! Who is the one that has a name calling and paranoid disposition here? The GB does, that’s who! Not only do they show delusions of grandeur but also paranoia of loosing control and power. They know they are getting exposed now by the internet and they are reacting as such. How pathetic!

    Great job to Cedars and all exposers of the GB of the WTS! They are deservedly on the run and scared now!!!

  • April 13, 2014 at 11:01 am
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    Recently, I came face to face with a sister from my former congregation. She is a pleasant lady and I work with her husband; as she could not avoid me without being obviously rude, she stopped to chat, disregarding my disfellowshipped status.

    After several minutes, she looked nervously around and said, “There isn’t anyone around who could see me talking to you is there?”

    No, there wasn’t anyone from the congregation in sight, but surely Jehovah can see everything that we do? So how many JWs really comply with their directives out of desire to obey Jehovah and how many because they are afraid of humans in the Organisation?

    • April 13, 2014 at 11:30 am
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      My experience makes me think that nearly everyone feels they are forced doing this and they do this out of fear and because they are “observed”. I’m quite sure about it.

      In your experience the person seems to be perfectly aware that this is a man made rule. Would she steal something and feel OK only if no one saw it ?

  • April 13, 2014 at 12:18 pm
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    Jesus is my favorite apostate. He wasn’t afraid to speak out against the hypocrisy of the religious leaders of his day.

    The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses are the modern day counterpart of the Pharisees of the Bible. To speak out against them like Jesus did is an act of heroism. Sadly, the results will be the same. Disfellowshipping and shunning is the modern-day equivalent of a crucifixion.

    “Still, when exposed to unscriptural teachings, regardless of the source, we must decisively reject them. – w2014, 7/15, p. 14, para. 10”

    Great advice. I decisively reject the “unscriptural teachings” and apostasy of the current Governing Body of JWs.

    • April 13, 2014 at 4:45 pm
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      Well said! Would they disregard unscriptural teachings, quoted to them from their very own WT magazines?

      The JW woman I am working with, agreed to only use “inspired” words for our discussions. I asked her if I could ask her about a recent WT article that I found very confusing.

      Her reply was, “Well, if we do THAT, then you won’t be learning what the Bible says!”

      Wait a minute… The Watchtower doesn’t tell me what the Bible says? Then what do you need it for?

      Can one of you wholehearted JW’s please explain what the purpose of that magazine REALLY is?

  • April 13, 2014 at 1:45 pm
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    Here is an example of (from my point of view) absurd self-imposed importance by the WYBTS.

    I am atheist. So I disagree with the Watchtower’s teachings. That makes me apostate. It should be noted that my views are toward ALL religious teachings and are not exclusive to just the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

    In fact, they’re not even exclusive to Christianity as a whole. The idea that some people work on a larger, more refined sense of global acceptance and humanitarianism is a direct contradiction to the WTBTS’s expects of their followers and thus I am (by default) an apostate.

    (I should note that there is a difference between what the WTBTS teaches, what they think they teach, and what is expected. They teach “love thy neighbor” and “help the needy.” They think they are teaching global humanitarianism and good will toward all men [doing both via the preaching work]. What they expect is to only love each other with help limited to only those who are Jehovah’s Witnesses – complete separation from those in the wicked world.

    I bring this up because ironically, by strict definition, I currently practice more of what the WTBTS teaches then they do… except I do so out of respect and appreciation of humankind while they [and most religions] do so out of instruction and thus with more limiting scope.)

  • April 13, 2014 at 4:48 pm
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    If anything this is the GB Digging them self’s in a bigger hole..by calling those who leave or question there faith,in fact if i,am not wrong the press desk at Bethel in London over the shunning and mentally disease saga and what was in the media said everyone has a choice,i wonder what Mr Fenton(who i new from many years back) from the desk would say now????.This Article does nothing but cause suspicion why the GB are coming out with this and also opens the door for those to ask why aswell !!!

    • April 13, 2014 at 4:59 pm
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      Dean, I agree with your assessment, in regards to those who are already in doubt or wishing they could leave this cruel and controlling organization.

      Sadly, those who are believing the words of the governing body today, will most likely react as instructed. I’m afraid my children will end up on the receiving end of this rejection, as we continue to watch my parents drift farther and farther away from us.

      They have carefully calculated every move, and have groomed the flock, preparing them each step of the way. They are separating them from anyone who will even hint at a doubt, as they lead them to the next instruction.

  • April 13, 2014 at 5:10 pm
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    The words “disfellowship,” “judicial committee,” and “theocracy” do not appear in the Bible. Neither does, “apostasy”.

    “New Testament study of the word “apostasy”

    The word “apostasy” is not found in the Bible, but the Greek word from which it is taken was translated as found in this study. It is a short study because of so few references to“falling away” or its synonyms. In spite of that fact, massive apostasy has infiltrated the
    Church. As Paul the Apostle said, this apostasy would occur before the second coming of Christ.”

    http://www.ekklesia4him.net/Apostasy_study.pdf

    Also, as there isn’t a stick of evidence of the existence of Moses or the Wilderness Wandering, why should anyone be ‘warned’ by stories that, like the Flood, do not have their basis in reality?

    The Occam’s Razor explanation is the human religious need either to anathematise or kill their enemy to become the sole source of ‘truth.’

    Frank

  • April 13, 2014 at 5:35 pm
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    The good news is that the more the GB say “don’t look over there,” the more people will actually look at the words of ‘apostates.’

    It reminds me of Leslie Nielsen standing in front of the exploding fireworks factory in ‘The Naked Gun’ saying “there is nothing to see here.”

  • April 13, 2014 at 6:56 pm
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    First off I do not consider myself a Apostate as I do not disagree with the teachings of Jesus Christ
    So that being said then the GB needs to refine the articles to reflect more of being a dissenter.
    So you call me a name and hope it sticks then offer no proof and won’t debate. True COWARDS. Didn’t Jesus debate with the religious leaders of his day. So if you were appointed by him as his true messenger then why would you be afraid to Debate? Oh let me answer that one for you. Because you are LIARS and COWARDS. And I can prove it!!

  • April 13, 2014 at 7:16 pm
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    I was just listening to an audio recording of “Brother” Gerrit Losch (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9lsFcpx_Kc) wherein he proceeds to denigrate higher education, indicating that to pursue it is to deny the impending end of this system.

    Basically, the fallacious argument that you “probably won’t even have time to finish it, prior to the GT”.

    These are the same tired, hackneyed, trite, shopworn reasons I was offered almost 40 years ago. Considering that this talk was given six years ago, an average student should have been able to complete a MS/MA program by now. I find his allusions to the pursuit of higher education to achieve “fame” to be sadly amusing. He cited parents desires to introduce “my son the Doctor”, etc.

    Obamacare and malpractice insurance have taken a lot of the gloss off of that. Basically, he thinks we’re all easily impressed and this is a direct reflection of the toilet-bowl scrubbing, janitorial subcontractor, mentality of the R&F (after years of being indoctrinated with the heady goal of being lowly, humble, simple, etc.).

    Losch also condemned the pursuit of higher education with an eye to making a decent living. Although, he seemed particularly concerned with “young ones” escaping the hive-mind.

    Standing back now, and examining the larger picture, we see the GB’s desire to inculcate only the knowledge that will advance their agenda (whatever the hell that may be).

    Laughably, I was never sure if we were fighting Oceania or if we were allied with it. However, the Societies assembly days have gone up from four to two.

  • April 13, 2014 at 7:54 pm
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    I think it’s ironic that they use the words “mentally diseased” in the old version and change it in the new one! Please read how the NIV puts it and tell me who it sounds like? False Teachers and the Love of Money

    These are the things you are to teach and insist on.(D) 3 If anyone teaches otherwise(E) and does not agree to the sound instruction(F) of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited(G) and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words(H) that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth(I) and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
    What they misquote condemns themselves! In this article don’t they have an “unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, and evil suspicions”? Furthermore “and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think godliness is a means to financial gain.” Couldn’t selling almost a billion dollars worth of property fall under this category? What would the common Publisher say about this? I pray with all my heart that those who realize this can take the necessary steps to leave the Organization! With JESUS anything is possible. Disassociated after 26 years.

  • April 13, 2014 at 9:52 pm
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    Some members of the congregation were promoting apos- tate teachings. Also, it appears that others were introducing controversial ideas. Even if the latter were not directly un- scriptural, they were divisive. They resulted in bickering and arguing over words, creating a spiritually unhealthy atmosphere. Hence, Paul stressed the need to “reject foolish and ignorant debates.”

    So now JWs are being told to even reject ideas that are scriptural, but divisive. In other words even if someone can scripturally show that the GB is wrong, witnesses are instructed to dismiss such reasoning. This is basically an admission that the FDS doctrines cannot hold up to scriptural scrutiny. Reasoning from the scriptures is “foolish,” “ignorant” and “controversial.”
    This organization is desperate.

  • April 13, 2014 at 11:57 pm
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    I don’t know but I keep waiting for the “second shoe to drop”. Doesn’t it seem like it’s ripe for a sort of epiphany?

    The “Overlapping Generations” is patently absurd, and yet, the faithful appeared to gobble it up and clap for more.

    I returned for a while and faded back away about a year or so ago. During that time attending, one of the Elders (nice guy as it were) seemed to be quite preoccupied with counseling the younger ones against visiting sites such as this.

    He was busy trying to SuperGlue the scales back onto their eyes. This overt example makes it obvious that the Genie is out of the Bottle and the GB is making every effort to coach the Elders on how to stuff him back inside. I was so much easier when the dissenters were nerdy peeps hanging around the exits with fake Watchtowers.

    Now they’re ex-Elders, ex-Bethelites, etc. and they are sophisticated enough to work through the subterfuge.

    The rhetoric is evidence of an escalating crisis and panic.

    Since I know longer believe they are God’s spirit directed organization, I find it amusing to see what they’ll do next.

    • April 14, 2014 at 1:00 am
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      JWdom evolves and changes just as other churches do. The Church of England is almost unrecognisable from its time as the Tory Party at prayer, never mind as a bastion of Protestantism. It is now a largely agnostic social club and patron of the arts.

      JWdom’s main driver is the preservation and augmentation of its capital value. That priority is unlikely to change. The Bible, Jehovah and imminent Armageddon execution have been, thus far, their main tools to achieving the wealth gathering aim. If, as it seems, this divinely appointed, Bible prophecy stuff is no longer effective in the money grabbing department, maybe JWdom will morph even more radically than hitherto and pursue a different line of business entirely.

      Bye Bye, Jehovah, Armageddon and the Bible…Hello??????

  • April 14, 2014 at 5:43 am
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    Great article Cedars! I was watching a program yesterday about the inner workings of Scientology. There were many ex-members that were interviewed including the great-grandson of the knob who started the cult, L. Ron Hubbard and a high-ranking member who also left.

    The phrases “independent thinking” “truth” “shunning ex-members who leave” and the practice of telling very young children that if they see ANYONE, including their parents, who say anything negative about either their leaders or the cult itself, that they need to “report them immediately”. Sound familiar?

    What really got my attention was at the end when one guy who helps people leave cults said “Quite often, even when members may realize that they’ve been had, they don’t leave because they’ve invested years or decades of their lives to the cult and find it hard to just walk away”. Sound familiar?

    The sad thing is, you could sit many Witnesses down to watch that show and the vast majority of them would not connect the similarities between Scientology and the WTS.

  • April 14, 2014 at 6:38 am
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    No No Its EastAsia…

  • April 14, 2014 at 7:17 am
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    What gets me hear in UK why has no one got on to Section 5 of The Public Order act,under Insulting words or Behavior—which clearly shows what the watchtower are doing by name calling,and also degrading members or ex members,this to can also run in line with the ECHR as in having the rights to change there beliefs with out attack whether verbal or not on the account its damaging to the person concerned,hear is part of what is classed as an offense taken from section 5 Public Order Act(UK ONLY)——-1 What is the offence?
    Section 5 makes it an offence to use “threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or
    disorderly behaviour” or to display “any writing, sign or other visible representation which is
    threatening, abusive or insulting” within the hearing or sight of a person “likely to be caused
    harassment, alarm or distress thereby”. The offence does not depend on harassment, alarm
    or distress actually having been caused in the particular case.
    It is a defence for a person accused of this offence if he (or she) can prove:
    • that he had no reason to believe that there was any person within hearing or sight
    who was likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress;
    • that he was inside a dwelling and had no reason to believe that the words, behaviour,
    writing, signs, or other visible representation would be heard or seen by a person
    outside that or any other dwelling; or
    • that his conduct was reasonable.
    A person is guilty of an offence under section 5 only if
    • he intends his words or behaviour to be (or is aware that it may be) threatening,
    abusive or insulting; or
    • if he intends his behaviour to be (or is aware that it may be) disorderly.
    The police can arrest a person without a warrant if he (or she) fails to heed a warning to stop
    the conduct in question. The maximum penalty is a £1,000 fine.
    2
    Section 5 is capable of being charged as a racially or religiously aggravated offence if the offender demonstrates hostility based on the victim’s membership of a racial or religious group around the time of the offence, or if it is wholly or partly motivated by hostility towards members of such a group.1
    There is also an offence in section 4A of the Act2 which is very similar to that in section 5, except that in this case the harassment, alarm or distress must have actually been caused to a person, and intentionally so. It is thus a more serious version of the section 5 offence, and the maximum penalty is six months imprisonment, a fine of £5,000 or both(Strikland@Douse(C)Jan15,2013 Home Affairs Section—–so why has this and i repeat not been Addressed in UK,as the GB and JW,s in Violation of this Act..it was something i was looking at as detrimental to a persons character

  • April 14, 2014 at 7:35 am
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    @backseatdevil
    music to my ears, we all should prove that we can achieve more of the so-called ‘christian’ values than any Christian can actually demonstrate if she/he follows the bible.

  • April 14, 2014 at 7:50 am
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    Cedars,

    It’s been over 20 years that my wife and I got baptized. The only things I’m grateful for to this organization is having found my wife, and setting us free from the chains of religion, including this Judeo-Christian mythology! Keep up the good work!

  • April 14, 2014 at 8:15 am
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    This is just another example of control of information and members. The GB are causing JWs to be scared to talk freely and be honest about their thoughts and feelings. Soon many JWs if they are not already will be isolated hypocrite, being fake with their families and loved one for fear of reprisals.

    This is a damaging cult, and to control members this way is simply unacceptable. JWs have no freedom of speech, these two articles contradict Chapter 1 of the bible teach book which encourages the reader to ask questions.

    It has a paragraph that explores why people stop asking questions. One reason is because their religious leaders tell them that they should just trust in the leader as the questions and answers are too complicated for them.

    This is similar to how the GB are treating JWs, the answer to every question is just trust in Jehovah, Prov3.5,6. This is such an unsatisfying answer to a question, it’s just a blanket response that causes frustration and cognitive dissonance.

    If WT was not a cult it would not have a problem with it’s members questioning new doctrines, but it is, they want to control JWs and keep them quiet. I can’t see many doubting ones putting up with this article. Hopefully they will feel to overwhelmed by it and leave.

    Thanks Cedars
    Kate xx

    • April 15, 2014 at 4:28 am
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      Kate: You are spot-on with this comment! The Bible Teach book trained us from the very start, not to ask questions of the JW’s and their interpretation of the Bible. My husband used to ask them anyway, and we’d always get the same answer: “That is a good question! Let me research that and get back to you.” Now my mother uses that line on me, when I ask her questions. (They would also use the line, “That decision up to an individual’s conscience. Jehovah did give us free will,” when questioned about what they were allowed to do as JW’s.)

      When we made discoveries about the WTS that they didn’t want us to know, we were already well-trained by their control tactics. I didn’t share these facts with my parents, and they ended up getting baptized as JW’s. :( I was more worried about pleasing people, and not “Stumbling anyone in their faith,” than I was about being right. At the time, I thought the JW’s were just a stricter version of Christianity, whose teachings were bizarre and occasionally inaccurate.

      I feel guilty today, for not trying sooner to rescue my parents from this controlling organization. I am struggling to forgive myself, and do damage control with my extended family. I really didn’t see the magnitude of the situation at the time. Now the Watchtower has successfully divided my family. Even though (or because) my husband and I are doing our best to follow Christ and his example, we are labelled as “non-believing relatives,” because we follow the Bible instead of the Watchtower.

      The only good thing caused by this huge rift in our family, is that we have stopped the infiltration of the JW’s. No other family members will even discuss their religion, so there is no danger of anyone else joining. Of course, this adds fuel to the fire also… but families are messy, no matter what religion they are. ;)

      I feel this overwhelming sense of dread sometimes, watching my parents act like robots. Something is brewing, and I am bracing myself to become a statistic. Jehovah’s writing department is very skilled at their craft. They deceive and manipulate their followers, who gobble up their words and claims. They feast on warped phrases and false teachings, as the governing body gets more desperate to maintain their own power.

      While it is encouraging to see evidence that the organization is falling apart from the inside out, it is impossible to deny the power the Watchtower Society continues to hold over so many innocent people. The JW’s I meet are not showing any signs of wavering, but only becoming more steadfast as they are scolded repeatedly by their leaders. How long can a person be obsessed with the end of the world?

  • April 14, 2014 at 1:46 pm
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    GB ne voli djecu . Djeca sa 8 , 9 i 10 godina moraju propovjedati i skupljati simpatije i novac od ljudi . Ne trebaju se igrati i imati djetinjstvo . Sa 11 , 12 i 13 godina trebaju biti krstena i pojacati propovjedanje i skupljanje priloga . A kada odrastu i kazu da su svjesna da se ne slazu sa GB postaju otpadnici i gube roditelje i prijatelje sa kojima su se druzili ne poznavajuci druge . Predaju se Sotoni i njegovom svijetu na milost i nemilost . Razmislite dobro tko su ti ljudi u WTS i GB . Upropastavaju ljude dok su djeca a uniste ih kad odrastu .

  • April 15, 2014 at 12:00 am
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    Yesterday was the Memorial, i didn’t attend, too much chance of me saying what I really think about the organisation and its beliefs, and so ending up in front of a JC for aposatasy. instead I stayed home and just reflected on Jesus and his life and then death. Was he sent by God to save the world, or just a very brilliant and charismatic nutter? One thing is without question, if he were here today, he would condemn the GB and organisations heirarchy exactly as he did the pharisees of his own time, as “blind guides, hypocrites, whitewashed graves etc. What would he say to the ordinary brothers though, many are sincere and caring people who act out of love, even if it is misguided. What would he say to them?

  • April 15, 2014 at 1:32 am
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    I walk away from the tower 6 months ago, after 24 years inside. I am 40 today,at 17 left education to become a tower slave,walk away from my family because they where not tower believers,gave up all my school friends because they where from the world. 4 months after walking away from the tower,whent trough a hard period. I didnt know what to do with my life,had two choices continue living or stop living. And for the first time I decide it to write the core beliefs that rule my life been out side of the tower. This is what I found out,that those beliefs were not mine,that I never wanted them but they where there,not knowing that I was program to believe them,and they were all LIES.Here are some
    Only the tower people speak the true the rest of the world are liars. A LIARS LIE!
    Only the the tower people are my friends the rest of the world is my enemy. A WT LIE!
    To be poor is the best way of life. A HUNGRY LIE!
    To have a kid mentality is correct,obey,obey,obey. A KIDS LIE?
    To be a tower slave is the best way of life. A MISERABLE LIE!
    To have a open mind is evil. A EVIL LIE!
    To only read wt literature is safe. A IGNORANT LIE!
    Is best walk away from family and friends if they are not tower believers. TRUE? NO LIE!
    Stop talking to tower desasociates, llust because they dont believe tower lies. WHAT???
    Talk to people only tower beliefs. MORE LIES!
    The wt is the only way of life. BIG LIE!
    The tower is before my family. DAMAGING LIE!
    To die witness is an honor. A REAL LIE!
    Only work to survive. ANOTHER LIE!
    Have second hand stuff is better than new. IS A POOR LIE!
    To exercise, learn to play a music instrument,take care of my garden and have a dog was a waste of time,preach,preach,preach. PREACH LIES!
    To be happy with little a share with the tower owners. ONE TRUE! But not good.
    To educate my self is evil. IGNORANT LIE!
    To not go to the mettings or assemblies is a sin. A BUNCH OF LIES!
    To be a witness is to be happy. TOWER LIE!
    Dont worry about health in the new order every thing will be fix. SICK LIE!
    That is some stuff I believe,reason why is hard to return to society with that programing. Now they say Im a apostate,deceiver,mentally desease,llust because I stop beleaving the watchtower masters LIES!,now I understand who are the deceivers. I trusted the owners and the principes of the tower and they deceive for 24 years. AND THIS IS TRUE.

  • April 15, 2014 at 2:11 am
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    Thank you cedars for this site and all the people that contribute to it.
    Is a good therapy for all the ones that had been deceive by the wt including my self. I had fears the first time I opened your site 6 months ago, since then I been reading from JWsurvey almost every day. I was afraid at the begining because I was deceive by the wt but now I email you to Thank You.
    And to all the fun,smart,brave,educated,brilliant,independent,respetuos,and lovable people that contributes to JW survey
    Thank you. PM.

  • April 15, 2014 at 3:30 am
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    What’s the point of inviting people to the memorial when, if they express their faith, they can be denigrated as mentally unstable
    or diseased? The truth is if you don’t fit u ain’t welcome. Oh yes we had ‘millions at the memorial’, but how many felt free to express their faith?

  • April 15, 2014 at 5:25 am
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    To any non Jehovah’s witnesses.
    Ask your local jw this:-
    How would it be viewed if i as a non jw attended the memorial of Christ death and partook of the emblems?
    The very polite answer would be. . Not seriously.
    So even before your a member the control & judging of your faith begins. T/F?
    If you do become a member get ready for a lifetime of it.
    *No offence intended to the memorial arrangement*

  • April 15, 2014 at 5:35 am
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    GASP!

  • April 15, 2014 at 5:38 am
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    I just cracked up:-) lol Brilliant:-)

  • April 15, 2014 at 5:41 am
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    GASP! There’s an apostate woman wearing pants. And I’m jealous that some “apostates” have the viking silver sword (large bible) when my congregation hasn’t received its shipment yet. See http://aawa.co/blog/who-is-there-to-fear/

  • April 15, 2014 at 5:51 am
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    Cheers for the link;-) me mother was a bearded lady. It didn’t go down well.

  • April 15, 2014 at 6:52 am
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    Quite refreshing isn’t it PM? Websites like this and the folks who use/read/comment on them must really have the GB scared. open debate? Cedars=1 GB= 0.0

  • April 15, 2014 at 6:59 am
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    oh and yeah…. 19.8 million people “memorialized Christs death in 2013” (real number? possibly, but 75% would be considered apostate) Then the brother starts talking about the “small group of spirit anointed still left on the planet and that when they are gone Jesus is coming to judge. Again.. my head thinks .. hmm hasn’t the number of partakers increased steadily recently? ahh well..

  • April 15, 2014 at 7:18 am
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    @ skywalker
    Like you, I stayed home on Memorial night this week to reflect on the life of Jesus and ask the same questions. Btw, for me it doesn’t matter if Jesus was the Son of God or not, is real or not; the important question for me is WHY. Why does this ‘messiah’ figure appear all over the world to connect us to something unseen and to guide us.

    I feel continuing this tirade against apostates will allow more jws to see what a nasty, hateful little religion this is: 

    –Set the rank-and-file against one another!
    –Increase the level of distrust, paranoia, and neurosis!
    –Destroy the credibility of all who question us with smear
    campaigns!

    Congratulations, Cedar.
    You’ve got their attention.

    • April 15, 2014 at 7:32 am
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      I think very much the same !

      Even though I suspect the gospels might be composed with specific interests and maybe even audiences in sight, Jesus’ teachings appear in them as suprizingly simple and straightforward.

      And when you think about it, this is really all there is to know. It’s one of the parts in the bible I really enjoy reading. Nothing complicated, ambiguous, it seems like everything Jesus said are very clear and easy to understand – also one of the reasons why he used parables. Jesus sure wanted to be understood easily and clearly.

      It’s sure that no one who followed suit even approached him in his manners of teaching, and this, including the material I find in the bible as well.

      I’m even not comparing the later religious leaders or GB to him. There is no suprise why he said he is the way.

  • April 15, 2014 at 9:04 am
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    Why waste good vino and salt-free crackers? Quiet reflection, during Pesach, on the meaning and import for three world religions influenced by the seed of Ibrihim.

    From last year, around this time, we remember the hype on the “clarification” of the FD&S = GB [does it? if only the GB put their signatures on the articles scribed].

    “1919 – Gathering into the storehouse, Anointed Christians are gathered into the restored congregation.”

    Let’s note that this “restored congregation” still uses “new light” as an excuse for its constant realignments and flip-flops on dogma. Let’s also be honest that this “restored” group was still using an “apostate” Cross on its literature well after 1919. And, during this period openly embraced those who chose to bear arms, while some conscientious Bible Students withdrew support and formed the Elijah’s Voice over Russell’s supporting war bond purchases.

    The dissent against the Watchtower has always had strong leads from ex-Bethelites, former elders, former missionaries, and former pioneers. They’re younger and younger. It is really better today that we have more YouTube nerds, bloggers and e-book authors not just a few lone former “leaders” to do interviews on TBN, and to write books on their experiences within the hierarchical layers of the Watchtower. Several reasons, more energy, greater diversity of experiences and vantage points, negation of the tired defense that it’s “an axe to grind” due to political or personal ego, or an individual has “dirty” and “immorality” fogging their vision. It would take a herd of attorneys and 24/7 operations to shutdown every website or blog. The best you can do? Issue an edict to ban “true believers” from visiting the blogs, Facebook or YouTube.

    These Guy Fawkes without masks, or with them, have risen to the challenge of slaying Goliath.

    It is very much akin to the poignant scene from a classic film where the Emperor seeks out the rebel Spartacus. “I am Spartacus”.

  • April 15, 2014 at 11:30 am
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    I wrote something regarding the Memorial yesterday.
    Did I say something wrong? If so, I’m very sorry.

  • April 15, 2014 at 4:30 pm
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    I’m sat here thinking. . .
    How dreadful must it (be) have been for those young parents in the 1970’s to watch a child with hemophilia die (slowly in some cases) only to realise it was a matter of conscience (to receive treatment) a number of years later?
    And yet at the time to be called, as the above article shows, all sorts of terrible names for disagreeing with the Watchtowers teaching. How can that be possibly justified?

  • April 16, 2014 at 1:05 am
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    Bolesno je ucenje da Bog trazi da ljudi okrecu glavu jedni od drugih samo zato jer drugacije razmisljaju . Da u jednom gradu gdje si gidinama poznavao vise od 300 ljudi svi okrecu glavu od tebe kad god te vide na ulici ili nekom drugom mjestu . WTS pravi takve umobolne situacije u cijelom svijetu . Neko mora jednom tome stati u kraj . Oni su stetni za drustvo u cijelom svijetu .

  • April 16, 2014 at 1:56 am
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    To be honest I don’t mind if the watchtower call people names because while their beating people their attention is taken away from the front door.

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