If You Want to Expose JW's, Get it Right!

by AllTimeJeff 37 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

  • AllTimeJeff
    AllTimeJeff

    Jehovah's Witnessses, (and esp their leadership, the Governing Body) are guilty of so many things, that one has to be careful of the tabloid rumors swirling around them.

    It's probably helpful to review first of all what JW's are guilty of. They are absolutely guilty in their efforts to control active members under the dictates of the conscience of the GB. Every other Watchtower article usually has big time references to how we shouldn't be like those self righteous Pharisees in Jesus day for all the rules, followed by another article next describing what one can (could) or can't (shouldn't) watch on TV, wear for clothing or hairstyles, etc. Followed by another quote that we don't want to be like the self righteous Pharisees who made rules all them time.....

    JW's are guilty of condemning false prophets in other religions, while never getting one prophecy right themselves. They are guilty of changing and white washing their own history regarding failed prophecies and ridiculous statements, esp in their early times. They lie about this and look for people who do not research JW's on the internet. (Thankfully, a dwindling minority) They also promote incorrect dates as accurate history simply to prop up their most important date, 1914, without ever providing one single, reputable, outside scholarly source in support of their dates for the destruction of Jerusalem, and other "biblical" events.

    They are both guilty and culpable for the pain and misery they cause in families. They speak against teenage marriage, as one is just too young to make that kind of committment, yet encourage a lifelong, irrevocable committment to the cult via JW baptism in kids as young as 8 years old, and very frequently in their teens. (EIGHT YEARS OLD!!!) If one of these baptized babies changes their minds, or god forbid, act like teenagers, they can be disfellowshipped as a teen and shunned. If they don't want to come back and submit themselves to cult rules, they set their families and loved ones up for the horrid decision they should never have to make; the cult, or my child, my relative! Parents are literally indoctrinated to ignore their adult kids who reject the JW cult simply because they got baptized way too young to make that committment. That isn't religion, thats joining the Corleone family!

    Their extreme blood teaching has caused the death of thousands through the decades. Many young people, teenagers, have decided that a life saving blood transfusion is not worth it due to the dictates of this cult. They die instead of taking blood, because life is precious. Makes total sense.....

    These are just some high(low)lights. There are other very legit issues to go through. So why bring this up? Because JW's are often accused of the most ridiculous things. (end of Part 1)

  • AllTimeJeff
    AllTimeJeff

    (part 2)

    Satan Worship. I realize that they are a cult. Most cults don't worship Satan. I would even go so far to suggest that JW's dont' really worship anything other then the GB. There are no real rites or rituals that JW's engage in other then group prayer. All the GB wants, more then anything else, is for their flock to attend all their meetings and read all of their literature constantly to the exclusion of all other non JW materials. The biggest ritual is to think about JW stuff all the time. That is cultish indoctrination, not Satan worship. So if you ever read the occasional sensational accusation, realize that it isn't true.

    Subliminal Art. This is my personal favorite pet peeve. If you have ever been to the WT Art Dept, you will quickly realize why most JW publications have corny, colorful art. Most everyone are volunteer artists who haven't been to school. Yes, they have some aptitude, but thats it. Their sole job is to come up with the latest paint by number version of kids in khakis playing with lions and snakes in Paradise. Some on the internet insist that subliminal art is implanted in JW literature. Nonsense! Visions of Armageddon and people dying isn't subliminal, its right in your face. JW artists lack the ability and training to implant subliminal images into their art. And for what? No one ever asks what its for. JW's control through the elders and the lifelong committment of JW baptism, not through pictures in their magazines...

    Bethel does monitor the internet, but they aren't looking for you. (unless you are an idiot) Bethel will obviously go after anyone "fading" who puts a pic on the internet. Or your name. But generally, if you are smart, no one at Bethel will figure out who you are, or where you are at, unless you provide that info yourself. So don't! And don't worry. JW's have smaller resources to check out the internet. And since most JW's who go on the internet and read what is really happening begin to doubt and leave anyway (at least mentally), the GB does not want a special ops unit looking for apostates in their midst. They have bigger fish to fry, like trying to sell all their NYC properties for some much needed cash.

    Well, thats all for now. If ever you want to speak out against JW's, make sure you get it right. There are some amazing things JW's do and believe, but if its REALLY weird sounding, check that out first before you believe it. After all, this is the internet.

  • drew sagan
    drew sagan

    The bigger question: Is it really think it's possible to reason with people who believe in things such as evil subliminal art, satan worship, and internet monitering?

    There was a website on the net (it could possible be gone) that did a great satire of subliminal images in Watchtower art. It outlined various shapes inside the pictures using microsoft paint. I wish I could find it, it was damn funny.

  • cantleave
    cantleave

    Subliminal Art.

    This always makes me laugh. "If you get a mirror and position over the cloud just over the mountain above the lake you see Molech"

    Sorry total tosh IMO.

    Thanks Jeff, once again spot on.

  • wobble
    wobble

    Well thought out, and well written as usual Jeff, and good advice for Newbies.

    I know when I was first out I repeated some wild rumour type stuff to an active dub, and must have lost credibility because of it, he is still in.

    I think too when we are talking to active Dubs we need to avoid saying TOO much of what we know,just a little at a time wiil wear down their defense.

    If you come out with a load, they dismiss it with "Oh you only got all that from the internet" which is true, but they don't care that what you have said is true and right, they will not examine it because of where the info. came from.

    Good post, Jeff , lets all pay attention and stick it to them with accuracy !

    Love

    Wobble

  • AllTimeJeff
    AllTimeJeff

    One thing living in the information/internet age has done regarding JW's is to expose all associated (current and former members) to just how small, small minded, and small time that JW's are. Even members can't get over how much of a small presence they have in the world, in spite of their worldwide claims.

    Former JW's (I speak for myself here mainly) I think are surprised at how little "worldly" people care about JW's. They are fringe weirdo's to most people. No one wants to ban them. No one wants to persecute them (in the West that is) With the speed of life, and considering how busy life is, can anyone be blamed for dealing with JW's the good old fashioned way? Which is, to open the door, say I am not interested, close the door, and resume your life.

    I am jealous of this approach.

  • neverendingjourney
    neverendingjourney
    Former JW's (I speak for myself here mainly) I think are surprised at how little "worldly" people care about JW's. They are fringe weirdo's to most people. No one wants to ban them. No one wants to persecute them

    A few years ago when the Witnesses were banned in Moscow (I seem to remember it being around 2003 or so) there was a palpable excitement throughout the congregation. Many oldtimers speculated with a glow in their eyes that it was a sign the Great Tribulation was about to begin. Then nothing else happened. The only people who wish to persecute JWs are other religious fanatics who think their invisible man in the sky is greater than the JWs deity in the sky. The rest of the world continues living their lives without barely noticing them. They're an answer to a trivia question to the vast majority of the non-fanatical world.

    As an aside, I remember being particularly irritated by this because a recent Watchtower a few months earlier had prominently chronicled some Supreme Court case the JWs had won in the U.S. All the talk was about how JWs were blazing the trail for religious freedoms (because Jehovah is on their side). Then they turned around highlighted how the government in Moscow was turning against them and persecuting them, you guessed it, because Jehovah is on their side. I couldn't just lap that up anymore. About a year later I began my fade.

  • Finally-Free
    Finally-Free

    When talking to JWs you can bombard them with a dozen legitimate criticisms, but if you make a minor error in even one they'll focus on the inaccuracy and ignore all valid points made.

    W

  • Gordy
    Gordy

    Former JW's (I speak for myself here mainly) I think are surprised at how little "worldly" people care about JW's.

    I agree.

    The WT always puts over to its members that the world is frightened of them, because they have the "truth".
    That the clergy are scared to death of them, because thye "expose Christendoms lies"

    Yet in the time I have been out now, 10 years, I have never come across any person who gives a single thought about JWs.
    I have asks many what do they know about the beliefs of JWs.
    What do they say?
    "They knock on your door to SELL mgazines/books."
    "They don't have blood" (Sometimes I get they don't use doctors etc)
    "Don't celebrate birthdays/Christmas" (Surprising number of people don't even know this about JWs)

    Its usually round about this, that people struggle to think of anything else JWs believe.

    This is after 130+years of Watchtower exsistence and preaching!

    As the clergy, don't even give them a thought. Even when they do its usually to do with some JW teaching.
    I know from my ownPastor that he is to busy to worry about what JWs are saying.
    He is to busy really caring about the people in his congregation.

    I agree about the "subliminal art" that is I always thought a bit dubious.
    I mean how many of us have looked at any picture, and seen a face or something in them.

    Bethel monitoring websites, like this one , yes.
    I was told this by a now long gone JW, who installed computers at a Bethel branch.
    What they didn't like that it was obvious that "active" JWs were posting on such sites.
    Even Elders giving away their little secrets etc.
    So they had to "demonise" the internet to try and stop this.

    Also they are good at pointing the finger at others and what has happened in their churches etc.
    While ignoring the fact that exactly the same thing goes on in Kingdom Halls.
    But they are much better at keeping it secret.

  • treadnh2o
    treadnh2o

    Speaking of getting it right.....

    I got my believing wife to look at this site. The first time she did, she read a number of inacuracies concerning JW teachings. I had to agree that what she read was completely wrong. She discounted the site without looking deeper into the inacurate statements. I can't say I blame her but getting it wrong may have closed the door on getting her out. This is not to say she would have changed her view but I loooked like I was grasping for any reason to ge out.

    Great thread Alltimejeff

Share this

Google+
Pinterest
Reddit