Hi Blacksheep. How are you? As explained earlier, the mental condition of any individual is a major factor in the behavior and actions of said person and the people around them including the influence from religion, experience, family and educational background and any current training. Please reference back to my earlier post. It can answer your questions.
Scare you? Gee! Information can be used in a variety of ways. First of all a sound foundation of FACTS must always be present and combined with a diligent SEARCH and RESEARCH to keep the "data base" up to date with realitive information. This current and factual information can in short, change the future of many people .
Please never make assumptions as that can be the downfall of many good people and creats a disillusion of the big picture. Never read into anything said or written anymore than what IS being said. There is a time and place for MORE than what is written and to "read between the lines" but , honestly, it is not on this web site or any other. Unless, of course, it is stated that way. Again it is preceptions and the knowledge base that any ONE PERSON (or group of people) is drawing from.
Good or bad is always up to PERCEPTIONS. some people must be led and told what to do. They feel better that way.-- Realitively "dumb" and with no worries or thoughts of their own. Other people want to read, learn and research realitive topics interesting and important to them. It is a feeling that there is more to LIFE and current beliefs and thought than what is currently known and taught. Much like a inner feeling of peace and a longing to be "one with God"--a superior base of knowledge. I know it sounds corney but it is accurate.
__________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
A copy of my letter to the Governing Body of Elders sent out in January is supplied below to help answer any questions which you might have.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________
The Watchtower Bible & Tract Society
The Governing Body of Elders for Jehovah’s Witnesses
25 Columbia Heights
Brooklyn, NY 11201-2483
January 11, 2003
RE
: A Letter of counsel to the Governing Body of Elders.
Please Note:
With all due respect, a complete copy of this letter should be provided to each elder for personal reference and for reflection and thought. This is a four page letter including this page.
Preface:
I have been associated with Jehovah’s Witnesses since around 1969. First learning the “truth” from the book,
The Truth that leads to eternal life. And I have been baptized for many years. I enjoy going out on service to talk to people about Jehovah and spread his word, conduct Bible studies and encourage others to take an interest in God’s Kingdom. Because of the hypocrisy and other ongoing current events, I currently will not attend any Kingdom Hall. However, I will continue to speak to others about the Kingdom of God. There are many fine upstanding people within our worship of Jehovah. However, over the last twenty years or so, there has been a definite change in people within Jehovah’s Witnesses. Most of the changes have been influenced and directed by the actions and policies (insinuated and otherwise) from the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society which is directed and shepherded by the Governing Body of Elders.
There are many issues and problems which have been largely ignored and denied. Only after public and private investigations, and only after many Lawsuits have been filed, have these problems started to be addressed. I encourage you to take the facts, information and questions presented within the body of this letter and take corrective action to protect and encourage Jehovah’s Witnesses in a positive manner on a worldwide basis. You know that it is the right thing to do in the eyes of God. Try to regain some measure of respect and dignity for all of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Many great things have been done in Jehovah’s name. Full credit should be given to everyone that has done his/her best to do so. However, now is your “wake-up” call --so to speak.
This letter does not intend to denigrate or Judge you. The documented facts speak for themselves. This letter is self-explanatory and it does not shade or protect anyone. The hard questions, statements, facts and the truth are put into a straight forward approach. Again, please understand that now is your “wake-up” call. Brothers, Jehovah’s great day is approaching and all of us must do as Jesus commanded all of his followers.
_________________________________________________________________________
Dear Brothers,
1.
As you already know, any creditability that the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society, Governing Body of Elders, congregation elders, and the everyday Jehovah’s Witness which might of been obtained or earned, has more or less been voided by hypocrisy, scandal, cover-up, lies, apathy, and general ignorance. All of this begs the question:
What have you done to God’s Organization? The public and many brothers and sisters of our faith are thinking:
Are Jehovah’s Witnesses really God’s people? Most Jehovah Witnesses are afraid to ask questions due to past retaliation from the congregation elders and/or from the Governing Body of Elders.
Are you brothers proud of this?
Would it be proper to say “Jehovah is cleaning out his organization” when a brother or sister disassociates, drifts away or commits suicide?
There are reasons why people do what they do. Have you ever inquired as to why some brother or sister would disassociate, drift away, file a lawsuit, or do something worse? It is not necessarily about interpretation of scripture or a lack of love for God. It is a great deal about “using up” and taking advantage of the humanity within most people and discarding them. 2.
Due to the commitment required of the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society (not Jehovah’s requirement) and because of the actions and decisions of the Governing Body of Elders and congregational elders, a brother or sister’s friends, family, education, earning potential, property, and enjoyment of life opportunities are usually lost forever.
When questions are raised and disagreements come about, the brother or sister is excommunicated and discarded like everyday trash. 3.
Contrary to the popular thought among the Governing Body of Elders (and many rank and file Jehovah‘s Witnesses), Jehovah does not give complete life and death decisions to a group of mortals concerning his worship from past, present and future. He will/has made/make those decisions himself or appoint his son to do so.
4.
For the Governing Body of Elders of Jehovah’s Witnesses to make claim and to make decisions which have often been insinuated to have came from Jesus Christ or Jehovah God, calls into question the true motive and operational characteristics of any corporation (religion) which on closer examination, operates by a different set of rules, values and ethics than what is given to the average Jehovah’s Witness.
5. Current events such as:
a ten year membership of the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society with the United Nations, the denial, concealment and a general cover up of child molesters within various congregations across the United States and elsewhere (Court documents, televised special reports and in-depth investigations from the United States and England), the overuse and misapplication of Theocratic warfare (Lying and deceit) also known as the Rahab technique, the flip flops and outright changes on various teachings and doctrines using the excuse of “new light” or “the light is getting brighter”, and the ever increasing “
legalism” (magazine articles, procedure etc.) used at all levels of the Society; brings a grave reproach upon Jehovah’s name.
Did not the Apostle Paul warn against replacing faith in Jesus with observance of Law as salvation? Ga3:1, 2, 11. Such a great amount of hypocrisy or double standards must be explained to all Jehovah’s Witnesses and to the world in general.
What are you doing about it?
Are you saying that you are not responsible?
You should take the lead to rectify past wrongs and mistakes. Please lead by example. Jehovah expects you to do the righteous thing without being asked or forced to do it by Caesar’s Law. If you made mistakes and blunders, admit it and correct the problems and do not hide or cover over the truth or try to change the facts to “save face” or to hide the truth. You should be honest and trustworthy in all things.6.
Why do you think there are so many lawsuits against Jehovah’s Witness, The Watchtower Bible & Tract Society, Individual Brothers, Kingdom Halls, etc? Besides the documented facts stated above, here are some more reasons:
It is because of the wrongful acts committed, concealment of facts, the indifference of the elders, lack of corrective action, a very self-righteous attitude, hypocrisy, favoritism, a general lack of love, a misuse and misapplication of Scripture which is often used to punish and inflict severe emotional duress and trauma. This list could go on but you understand the manifestations and the ramifications of what is being said.
7.
Where has the true love and trustworthiness gone? Artificial pleasantries & phony smiles are abundant in most Kingdom Halls across the United States and elsewhere. You know this, and many Jehovah’s Witnesses simply play along as if everything is a big game and few have the courage to say anything about it for fear of retaliation and worse. True love is not radiating from most of the hearts of fellow believers. Most brothers and sisters are eager to (and some enjoy) shunning, marking individuals, disassociating members and the worldly art of gossiping. Busybodies and nosey people are just as abundant at the Kingdom Hall as they are everywhere else in the world. Favoritism, jealousy and “one-upmanship” is common among many including the elders. Comments made in the privacy of homes are very different from what is “openly” expressed at the Kingdom Hall or obviously, in any public format. This hypocrisy is truly incredible.What Jehovah’s Witness can be trusted when everyone is encouraged to spy on one another and invade the privacy of the individual brother or sister? And don’t forget about the theocratic war strategy. In reality, because of this “strategy” and other mitigating factors, Jehovah’s Witnesses are considered ineligible for many job opportunities (from knowledgeable employers) which require a history of trust, emotional stability, rational & analytical thinking.
8.
You are (or should be) aware that several brothers have murdered their family members and then committed suicide. These stories have been covered in the major news media, with complete investigations and history of how the Jehovah’s Witness religion abandoned them in their time of need. The facts are there and hard to dispute. Most of these tragedies could have been and still can be avoided (for future people) if only true love and brotherhood would have been (will be) extended to those in need. However, there is far too much
Spiritual drunkenness, self-absorption, and lack of reality within the “rank and file”. Why haven’t you addressed these problems and at least try to make corrections? Do you really care anymore? What about being blood guilty? It is also apparent that when convenient (but not justified) for the congregation or for the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society, brothers and sisters are disavowed, discarded and abandoned for personal and/or corporate gain. It seems the Watchtower Society and the leadership within this organization have become intoxicated with power, control and self-righteous behavior including life or death influence over millions of people. Many, many people have died because of decisions made by the leadership of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.
Why have you allowed this to happen?
Will you stop this practice?
Are you not blood guilty? Do not cast blame on the word of God or use this as an excuse for “your” mandated actions and decisions.
9.
Brothers, you cannot blame this behavior on Satan or other wicked spirit forces. These problems and deeds are/were
caused by the actions (policies, decisions & attitudes) of men in various positions of trust within the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society and in the various congregations. All involved persons should be held accountable and by your own definition, found “blood guilty.”
Do you not agree?
10. Brothers, you have enjoyed the power and wealth that comes with your positions and titles within the leadership of the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society. Will you now accept responsibility for your actions (or lack there of) that have affected millions of people throughout the world? The decisions on the issues described in the above paragraphs, are/were made by the governing body of elders (at various levels) and passed down to the rest of the flock. The responsibility and fault (if any) from the misapplication, the pain and suffering, financial loss, loss of life (suicide and murder) and loss of property, falls on the leadership that has implemented and/or insinuated these policies and/or practices. This shall have far reaching affects.
11.
Over the many years since my association and baptism, it has become more evident that
Jehovah’s Witnesses are increasingly indoctrinated to obey and follow a group of men (elders) to do their bidding without question or thought and in most cases without a sense of consequence. Sort of like worker drones or robots (without a conscience). There is nothing wrong with having qualified, ethical and responsible leaders or of course, a shepherd over the flock.
However, most Jehovah Witnesses have been indoctrinated over a period of time and carefully manipulated to conform to relinquishing free will, give up analytical thinking, education, family, friends, social normality, sovereignty and perceptions. The ability to ask thoughtful questions on important issues has always been discouraged and in a lot of cases constrained and definitely looked down upon.
Instead of shepherding or leading, there has been a careful effort to rule, dictate and micro-manage the lives of every brother or sister including a coerced alienation from everything and anyone except what was or is approved from the Governing Body of Elders (Watchtower Bible & Tract society). This is where the “cult” status and label of the Jehovah’s Witness Religion being a cult come into play. Jehovah does not approve of any of these tactics and techniques. To insinuate, misapply and to twist Biblical scripture to control and coerce people for corporate, congregational, financial or personal gain, is a direct insult to Jehovah and to his son Jesus Christ and could possibly be considered by God as a sin against the Holy Spirit. However, that decision is only up to God.
Have you given this any thought at all?
Why have you acted this way?
What are you going to do to change, or will you change at all?
12.
It has been said over the years, that there is a need from the Society for a form of devotion to the Governing Body of Elders that should be equal to Jesus Christ. As you know brothers, this is wrong. There is no room for “leader worship”. No disrespect intended, but for the last twenty years there has been an “over emphasis” placed on the importance of the governing body of elders.
You do not consider yourselves as important as the Lord Jesus Christ, do you?
13.
Many years ago I took an oath and dedication to Jehovah God and to his son Jesus Christ. I never gave any oath to the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society, or to any group of human men. To require an oath, understanding, assumption or agreement to any “organization” or human as a “go between” or as a perquisite to read and understand the Bible or as a perquisite to Jesus and than to GOD, is wrong and contrary to the Laws of Jehovah and is an insult to Jesus Christ.
The only “go between” is Jesus Christ. All of you brothers are aware of this fact.
You do not have the authority from Jehovah to insinuate or ask allegiance to the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society or anything else devised by man as a perquisite. 14.
It is my sincere hope that you do not take anything stated within this letter as a personal attack. This information is provided from and as the true reality of what has transpired over the years (and is still going on) within Jehovah’s Witnesses, Jehovah’s Christian Witnesses, Watchtower Bible & Tract Society and any other entity or name that “Jehovah’s Witnesses” are currently using or aspiring to.
15.
As a slave of Jehovah, I will always try to do my best to offer true worship and service to our great Sovereign God Jehovah, now and for all eternity.
Sincerely Yours in Spiritual Truth & Works,
________________________________________________
Mr. Kim J. Mikules
