Posts by defender of truth

in fact, their brand new brochure, return to jehovah, lists only three reasons why someone might leave the religion: misplaced guilt, being mad at a witness, and being busy with life.. but of course, there are several valid reasons for walking away from the faith, all of which are much more damning than the sanitized reasons the watchtower society lists.

defender of truth

^^ Just to be clear, I bolded the word torture, that is not in the article.

The most widely accepted definition of torture internationally is that set out by Article 1 of the United Nations Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT):

“... 'torture' means any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person...
Torture is often used to punish, to obtain information or a confession, to take revenge on a person or persons or create terror and fear within a population.
Victims of torture do not suffer alone. Victims' families and friends are also greatly affected. Local society is damaged both through the trauma inflicted on its members but also through an instilled awareness that basic human rights are neither guaranteed nor respected. Freedom is not respected. People are not respected. The use of torture sends a strong warning to those within a political, social, or religious opposition, but also to normal citizens who cannot rightly claim to live in a free or safe society.
www.irct.org/what-is-torture/defining-torture.aspx

Here is a related petition you may wish to sign:

www.change.org/p/launch-an-investigation-to-determine-if-jehovah-s-witnesses-have-a-right-to-use-coercion-forms-of-mental-torture-to-force-its-members-not-to-leave

And this survey is fairly interesting:

The findings are not surprising, given the fact the not so family friendly shunning policy of Jehovah’s Witnesses has been called cruel and inhumane by cult experts like the Australian Psychologist Raphael Aron and is even categorized as psychological torture.

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Disfellowshipping by Jehovah’s Witnesses: A Brief History - Great article

by defender of truth in

despite the governing bodys best efforts, members do leave the faith.

the governing body insists there is no valid reason for leaving the religion.

in fact, their brand new brochure, return to jehovah, lists only three reasons why someone might leave the religion: misplaced guilt, being mad at a witness, and being busy with life.. but of course, there are several valid reasons for walking away from the faith, all of which are much more damning than the sanitized reasons the watchtower society lists.

defender of truth

Shunning has been a common tool of cults and other organizations throughout the centuries.

Though it wasn’t always so, Jehovah’s Witnesses’ policy of shunning former members has developed into what Don Cameron in his book Captives of a Concept calls “one of the harshest instances among major organized religions.”

Such shunning serves to strengthen and protect the group. Not only does it remove burdensome members, but it can correct deviant behavior in such members because they will long to return to normal relationships with their former associates.

Groups become more cohesive when they ostracize dissenting members, and it provides members of the group a feeling that they are more powerful and have a higher level of control.

But shunning is a form of psychological torture.

Almerindo Ojeda, from the Center for the Study of Human Rights in the Americas, defines shunning as “the deliberate, systematic, or wanton infliction of physical or mental suffering by one or more persons acting alone or on the orders of any authority, to force another person to yield information, to make a confession, or for any other reason.”

Shunning, therefore, “is torture” (emphasis his).

---------------

Please read the whole article:

www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2015/09/04/disfellowshipping-by-jehovahs-witnesses-a-brief-history/

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Jamaican news - ‘SHUNNING’: A Cult-Like Practice Of Jehovah’s Witnesses

by defender of truth in

www.jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20150913/shunning-cult-practice-jehovahs-witnesses

defender of truth

Excellent article that is worth reading, on the same theme:

www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/471280001/disfellowshipping-jehovahs-witnesses-brief-history-great-article

7

Disfellowshipping by Jehovah’s Witnesses: A Brief History - Great article

by defender of truth in

despite the governing bodys best efforts, members do leave the faith.

the governing body insists there is no valid reason for leaving the religion.

in fact, their brand new brochure, return to jehovah, lists only three reasons why someone might leave the religion: misplaced guilt, being mad at a witness, and being busy with life.. but of course, there are several valid reasons for walking away from the faith, all of which are much more damning than the sanitized reasons the watchtower society lists.

defender of truth

Despite the Governing Body’s best efforts, members do leave the faith. The Governing Body insists there is no valid reason for leaving the religion.
In fact, their brand new brochure, Return to Jehovah, lists only three reasons why someone might leave the religion: misplaced guilt, being mad at a Witness, and being busy with life.
But of course, there are several valid reasons for walking away from the faith, all of which are much more damning than the sanitized “reasons” the Watchtower Society lists.
This includes cover-up of child abuse, the Witnesses’ refusal to accept large chunks of accepted science and history, and their refusal to admit any biblical interpretation — however slight — that differs from their official doctrine. With so many reasons for leaving, it’s almost a wonder that the religion has any members left… almost.

In order to ensure the faithful stay faithful, the Watchtower Society maintains a policy of shunning dissenting members. It’s a process called disfellowshipping.

...James Zimmerman‘s essays have appeared in The Humanist, Atheist Voices of Minnesota, and The St. Paul Almanac. He is also a frequent host of the Twin Cities-based cable TV show Atheists Talk. This post is an edited version of a paper he presented at the National Conference of Undergraduate Research last spring.

www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2015/09/04/disfellowshipping-by-jehovahs-witnesses-a-brief-history/

7

Jehovah said he will start the cleaning from his own house

by Tempest in a Teacup in

jw
friends

this very popular quote came back to my mind today when i was thinking about what jws in the third world country where i live would do if they should hear about the australian abuse story.

this has been the one explains-it-all, excuses-it-all phrase to respond to nasty things going on in "god's house".. if they should hear about the story, they would just nod, say that phrase and add the sentence that traditionally accompanies it: it is because he is well aware that there are rotten elements in his house, so we shouldn't be surprised...and then they will move on with merrily.

end of story.

defender of truth

if they should hear about the story, they would just nod, say that phrase and add the sentence that traditionally accompanies it: it is because he is well aware that there are rotten elements in his house, SO WE SHOULDN'T BE SURPRISED...

Not good enough. Don't let them get away with it.

Quite simply, if Jehovah is clearing house.. Why are they not repentant?

Why are they not accepting the discipline and making the necessary changes?

www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/422980002/jehovah-using-royal-commission-ok-lets-work-that

If it is Jehovah correcting them at this time, and not simply an organisation being shown up for how harmful it can be..

Why does this statement by part of the Faithful Slave reveal that they are NOT going to accept correction?

Geoffrey Jackson's latest statement to Royal Commission

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Jamaican news - ‘SHUNNING’: A Cult-Like Practice Of Jehovah’s Witnesses

by defender of truth in

www.jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20150913/shunning-cult-practice-jehovahs-witnesses

defender of truth

joe134cd - Am I pro Watchtower?

It is a bit of a silly question, but never mind ;)

Would I be posting an article like this, even assuming you haven't felt like reading any of my other topics I started?

I did come on here defending the Watchtower 2 years ago:

www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/275576/active-jws-can-you-defend-truth?size=10&page=3

But people change. ;)

21

Can someone who uses Chrome on a smartphone..

by defender of truth in

.. please do me a small favour?.

can you look at this list of my posts and tell me if nearly all of them are cut off on the right?.

i have been posting always using the uc browser, then decided to try chrome on an android phone and found that most of my posts are unreadable!!.

defender of truth

rebelfighter18 minutes ago
I use a Smartphone with Chrome you just need to turn the phone sideways

Thankyou!!!

Give this person a medal..for having common sense, unlike me :(

Oh boy, what a plonker Rodney..

Sorry for wasting your time everyone.