Posts by BreakingAway

62

Appalling Mind Control Comment from CO

by betweenworlds in

jw
friends

i just came across this comment by someone from a group i belong to .

we just had the visit of our co...his wife made this comment to me:.

"'as i was reading the very powerful articles in the last public issue of the wt with study articles...i couldn't help but imagine that the brothers are waving a goodbye to people!'...

BreakingAway

He spoke about the situation of Lot and his family. The angels were urging them to leave right away, but they lingered. The angels had to come and take them by the hands to get them out of harms way. They also gave them strict instructions not to look back as they fled to the mountainous region. Lot asked to go to Zoar, didn't want to go to the mountainous region. He was given permission to do so. Eventually he did go there, but Jehovah made this concession to him on the run!

Using the above line of reasoning- could it not also be argued that the faithful are being urged to leave an unfaithful organization ? And that despite the evidence of it's corruptness some still "linger", longing for those things "in the spiritual paradise".After all, Lot and his daughters didn't run to another organization, they had to live in a cave in the mountains away from others.Interestingly, even though most people believe the "sin" of Sodom was homosexuality, the Bible says it was False Worship.

According to Isaiah Sodom did claim to serve God:

"Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah. To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats." (Isaiah 1:10,11)

Even the Israelites were compared to Sodom:

"Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good." (Ezekiel 16:49, 50)

"And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied in Baal, and caused my people Israel to err. I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness; they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah." (Jeremiah 23:13, 14)

Even if one doesn't believe in the Bible it's evident that the "guide" they supposedly so highly espouse has exposed them for what they really are.

39

YOU GUYS GOTTA SEE THIS!!! IS THIS DAMAGE CONTROL???

by whereami in

jw
friends

i can't recall seeing this at the kh.

i just know you guys are going to tear this up.

there's just so much ammo hear.

BreakingAway

Here is the transcript from the second video:
Theologians
Over the past 130 years Jehovah's Witnesses have been helped by a Governing Body, who's membership has changed obviously as the years roll by. This is a group of individuals that have come from all over the world and whom we believe are directed by God to help us understand what is contained in Scripture. Just as other religions would have religious leaders, those to whom they look, so do Jehovah's Witnesses. But the fact that we believe that there is a Governing Body, a Faithful and discreet slave class that we call it, who is helping us understand the Bible, no more makes us a sect than it would make Catholics a sect, because they believe that the Pope and the College of Cardinals have the ultimate truth for Catholics.
It's interesting how he phrased this line of crap.
pseudo

So what they're saying is: "We're pretty much like Catholics."

3

Do They Care?

by Honesty in

do you think the governing body cares what jesus really thinks about the manner in which they govern his sheep?

BreakingAway

Actually, the memo is being sent out To All Congregations as we speak.Jesus now works for them.What he thinks is irrelevant.

39

YOU GUYS GOTTA SEE THIS!!! IS THIS DAMAGE CONTROL???

by whereami in

jw
friends

i can't recall seeing this at the kh.

i just know you guys are going to tear this up.

there's just so much ammo hear.

BreakingAway

Did you all read some of the comments made by the R&F in the videos? It's amazing the amount of utter devotion to these men.

"I just love the speech on these Brothers. So down to earth, yet very well versed. Thanks Brother for putting these videos in here. Very informative."

paradiseisgodsplan (2 weeks ago) "I was thinking the same thing. Very soothing and down to earth. The kind of brothers that really understand you and truly want to help you, yet are humble and meek and mild".

Just turn a camera on these clowns and they go into autopilot.If you asked them five minutes after the interview what they talked about they probably wouldn't even remember.

I think those R&F comments are actually part of the Society's new automated response team.A video goes up on Youtube or some such place and the Society's new software tracks it down and provides a variety of canned responses:"Wow ! These comments are fantastic !", "Didya all see how handsome that brother looked in his puke green jacket and argyle sweater !?! You can just tell they're from God ! ", "These brothers are so soothing I wish I could rub them on my athlete's foot.", Etc.

And thanks for the compliment, martinwellborne.

39

YOU GUYS GOTTA SEE THIS!!! IS THIS DAMAGE CONTROL???

by whereami in

jw
friends

i can't recall seeing this at the kh.

i just know you guys are going to tear this up.

there's just so much ammo hear.

BreakingAway

I only watched the first couple of videos (because, honestly, I can only stomach so much) but yeah, it's damage control.A reinforcement and justification of "company policies".They're experts with semantics and doublespeak.No apology is necessary because God is responsible for the "light" they receive."If you've got a problem, take it up with him,we were just following orders."

17

Do the others know?

by 4mylove in

i keep hearing that at judicial committees (?

) very explicit details are asked of those being questioned.

do others in the congregation know how detailed these meetings get?

BreakingAway

BreakingAway,
Thanks so much for the response. I just don't think that God requires so much paperwork. No, I'm not going to face a committee, I am not a JW. My hubby of almost 3 years is.
The debate I'm talking about is my hubby and I talking about having kids. It's fast approaching in our relationship, and issues need to be discussed. I've brought this up before in another thread.
Thanks again,
4

You're welcome.The thing to keep in mind is the WT is a Corporation and corporations love paperwork because that's what lawyers demand.They want to protect their ass-ets.CEO's take their direction from lawyers, because once again, they want to protect themselves and the company.I can't emphasize that enough.My time as an elder really made that clear to me and very much helped to open my eyes as to what was going on and why things were being done a certain way.For instance, a "no blood" talk is given which is followed by passing out blood cards that are signed in the presence of witnesses and dated, this is emphasized as a "legal document".The same thing with Power of Attorney forms.

Just think about what the Pharisees were like.They were essentially lawyers.They interprted the Mosaic LAW. They emphasized the letter of the LAW.They imposed sentences,They went beyond the LAW by their Oral LAW which they said was for the benefit of protecting God's law.They oppressed the people while they themselves were full of wickedness shrouded by the whitewash of "godliness".They denied the very One they claimed to serve and killed the one for whom they had waited centuries.And for what reason ? Because he exposed them for what they really were.

17

Do the others know?

by 4mylove in

i keep hearing that at judicial committees (?

) very explicit details are asked of those being questioned.

do others in the congregation know how detailed these meetings get?

BreakingAway

Hello 4mylove,

There are a number of reasons why the questions are so detailed.The JC functions much like an interrogation.Some elders are nicer about it than others, but it still comes across that way.Right in the middle of one meeting I stopped the "proceedings" because an elder (a big time jerk I later helped get removed) had reduced a sister to absolute tears.He kept pushing and she was getting hysterical so I pulled another elder outside the room and told him that this had to stop ! That this is NOT the way things are done ! I'm not trying to upset you if you are headed to a judicial committee because it's not likely things will go that way but don't let it take that direction either.Being straightforward and confident goes a long way and tends to disarm others.One gains strength from the power they think have or can take from others.

Anyway, on to some specifics.It's the Society that demands that a detailed explanation of the "offense" be outlined.Even if it's reproof a descriptive letter is written out , dated and the signatures of all elders on the committee are placed at the bottom of the letter.The letter is then placed in a sealed envelope and the name of the publisher is written on the outside along with the decision: "Reproof", "DF", etc.It's also dated and the JC member names also appear on it.It's then placed in the congregation file and kept there permanently.Old letters are not destroyed, they remain there indefinitely.

In the case of a Disfellowshipping, or Disassociating, a couple of forms have to be filled out and sent to Bethel.The largest form looks much like a job application and in the center is a large blank space provided to outline the offense and what steps were taken by the elders to help the person.It's requested that if more room is needed than the provided blank space allows then the brothers use another piece of paper to go into greater detail.This is all designed to show that the elders followed procedures and that grounds for disfellowshiping are "justified".They're covering their butts.Of course, some "brothers" are pervs or just plain nosey, but a lot are afraid that there will be a "loophole" that can be exploited if the person decides to appeal.You know how some people are left off the hook because the cops didn't follow "proper procedures" ? Well, it's similar here.

Without a doubt some of those who went through a JC will tell their friends what happend and how they got grilled.This is especially the case with younger ones.But some are simply too embarrased or traumatized by the whole thing and would rather forget it than to talk to others about what happened.I don't know if this is what you were looking for but this the way things are done and hopefully this will help you to feel more "prepared" for things.Naturally, you don't have to attend a JC at all but they will have free reign to do what they want then.I'm glad I'm no longer a part of it.

24

Do the Governing body know they are being dishonest?

by strawberry cake in

i wonder if anyone has any ideas on this.

who, what is behind the wts.

is it just men genuinely making mistakes but are sincerely trying to serve god?

BreakingAway

Please take a look at this thread as it addresses your question:

http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/7/151740/1.ashx

11

"As JWs, we don't believe in Law Enforcement"-- gag me.

by Pioneer Spit...oh, i mean Spirit in

jw
friends

a jw mother recently received a background check phone call concerning her son's interest in pursuing a career in law enforcement in another state.

she says nice enough things about her (ex-jw) son, but states that she doesn't talk to him much because he left the family religion, and then has the nerts to say that while she supports him to an extent, she disapproves of his career choice because, "as duhhhhoho's witlesses, we don't believe in law enforcement.

" what a shame to admit this.. i say, don't call 9-1-1 you stupid piece o' hell.

BreakingAway

This is a matter that has irked me for quite some time.Most Witnesses actually do believe in Law Enforcement protection ,and to some extent, personal "self defense" as long as it doesn't involve a weapon or martial arts training.If they were in danger they would call the police to bail them out of trouble with full knowledge that the calling of the police may indeed involve the death of the perpetrator.In that sense it really is approving the use of deadly force.So if one found out the cop that just saved their life is/was a Witness, what would be the view of that person ? Is the cop a "protector" or a "traitor" who should be shunned in their eyes ? Additionally, they are willing to call the cops so their stereo doesn't get stolen but not when a child is molested in the congregation.Double standard ? I think so.When I asked a man in my congregation why he didn't contact the police when his daughter was molested, he said: "The elders said not too." I still think he should have (I'm sure there were some very conflicting emotions) but it clearly exposes the view of those in charge of the congregation.I was an elder for six years and when I talked to my fellow elders about this subject it is not something they wanted to discuss.One "brother" (elder) I brought up the subject with walked away with his hands up in the air and while laughing, said: "I don't want to know, I don't want to know....."

139

Bethel layoffs in 2008 - 300+ and counting

by sir82 in

jw
friends

from the mouth of one of the special pioneers assigned tour congregation:.

at least 300 have been terminated from the us bethel branch in the first month of 2008, and she expects the number to increase.

paraphrasing other comments:.

BreakingAway

Here's the deal Proplog,

Your "reasoning" is severely faulty in many areas and shows that you have quite a bit of contempt for those here.How so ?

You said you "could care less" about what happens to those being "laid off" from Bethel but when many here came forward to say that they DO care what happens to them and that the Society is doing wrong you then accuse these ones of only looking for flaws in JW's ! Um, hello, anyone there ? They just stood up in defense of these JW Bethelites but you said all they're looking for is flaws ! You're intentionally taking a contradictory stand to incite others to anger and then criticize them for it.It's like a child standing behind Mom or Dad's backing sticking their tongue out at their sibling and when the other one gets worked up they say: "See ! See, how they act to me ! I told you they're always picking on me ! " You're just looking for flaws of those here since your self proclaimed agenda is to warn all lurkers of the "evil people here".I guess this is what happens when one tells the truth.This is how the Society treats people and you seem determined to follow such abused ones around to act as the WT's henchman and continue to beat them.Where's the compassion ? To be honest, I really don't like having to lay it all out like this to you but when I signed up to a Shepherd I acted like one, not the hitman the WT wanted me to be.So when I see others trying to carry on their legacy I have a problem with that, a big one.

You also just said:

Organizations are collectives of human beings and they should at least be respected. Criticize their teachings but it is of no value to call them names.

Really ? How about Organized Crime groups ? They're organizations. Do they deserve respect ? Drug cartels.How about the Ku Klux Klan ? They're made up of individuals.How about the Nazis ? They are worthy neither of respect nor free of being criticized.

Somewhere along the line you've become quite calloused and distorted.You spin everything and intentionally say hurtful things to others.Many here have gone through traumatic experiences specifically related to this organization.Do you also visit the battered wives and abused children forums and tell them not to be "too hard" on their abusers ? I guess they should just quit whining, "suck it up" and move on....