Posts by UnshackleTheChains

74

This site should be called Anti-Jehovahs-Witnesses Cry-babies

by the-Question in

so, you left because of a bad example(s).. why all the whining?

nothing better to do with your time?.

you at least know far more about the bible than any church-goer?.

UnshackleTheChains

Hey 'the question'. I became a Jehovah's Witness because I truly thought I was part of a loving brotherhood. It's loving alright, but very conditionally. Over the 25 years I have been a member, I have increasingly come to realise the extent of control, and intrusiveness over my life by the Watchtower Bible and tract society.

You can ask questions of the elders alright, but let's say you can't conscientiously agree with the GB on some things and you vocalise it, you may well find yourself in a corner.

Though I have a love for God and his son Jesus Christ, I find myself increasingly at odds with some of the stuff coming out of the WTB&TS. This in turn puts me off attending meetings.

79

TV commercial seen in the United States, from a Law firm "Asking if you were ever sexually abused by JEHOVAHS WITNESSES, please call".

by Dunedain in

ok, so i don't know if this is "old news", and if this has been seen, and or mentioned already.

if it was, i do apologize, but i feel i have to mention what has been seen on tv, within the past 24 hours.. first off, i would like to say that i did not personally see this commercial.

however, it was seen by someone that i can verify 100% is telling the truth, as it was my own father who saw it.

UnshackleTheChains

Wow, this issue is really becoming a nightmare for the organisation.

11

Jehovah's Witnesses charity drops attempts to block abuse inquiry

by NikL in

guardian this morning.... https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/23/jehovahs-witnesses-charity-drops-attempts-to-block-abuse-inquiry

UnshackleTheChains

I don't think we will see anything quite like the Australian Royal commissions investigations into WT policies re safeguarding here in the UK; but the charity commissions efforts, 'I believe' are noble and will no doubt have an impact on Watchtower policy when it comes to safeguarding of children and adults within the organisation.

That, I welcome!!

42

Elders getting burnt up.

by biblexaminer in

the elders in this area are getting burned out.

i have overheard comments that demonstrate this, but in my dealings with them, i clearly see it.

they can't keep it straight.

UnshackleTheChains

I would have to agree with the OP. One telling sign is how often they conduct shepherding visits? Where I live - rarely

The elders have to do sooo much, I actually admire them for all the work they do. I really don't know how they do it. Ithink it's sad that the GB puts such a load on these guys....And for what!

Personally, I don't feel very up lifted by the meetings. The Tuesday meeting is laboriously long. I don't find the talks very inspiring... The Sunday meeting...Not too bad, but they need to shorten the Watchtower.

When Jesus spoke whilst on earth. He reached the heart. He inspired people. Eg sermon on the mount. When the apostles preached or taught, they reached the heart. They were all inspirational.They never droned on and on in a dogmatic way about HOW we are supposed to speak to people in the ministry.

The elders today are bogged down with one item after another telling us how we are to preach..EVERY WEEK ON AND ON.

To stop the elders burning out, they need to cut each meeting by half,; speak plainly from the bible with talks that inspire and reach the heart; rather than drone on week after week about the ministry.

Jesus said his load is light. The GB make it heavy and burdensome. Hopefully these guys will look to Jesus and have that load lightened. I have given up on the GB ever doing so!

16

Has the threat of being shunned caused the organization to be unclean

by poopie in

jw
friends

i keep hearing stories of rank and file publishers involved in gross wrongdoing but because they fear of the possibility of being shunned they only tell those who will not report them to elders .

and they continue to go out on service and conduct bible studies and stay in good standing with cong even going to many social gatherings..

UnshackleTheChains

I thought this dude's letter to the society explained things quite well as to why many witnesses hold back from confessing their sins to the elders. Link below

https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/5152842138517504/letter-1-governing-body-jehovahs-witnesses

32

Beardless Jesus. Why?

by UnshackleTheChains in

beardless jesus in watchtower publications between 1930s and 1960s.

a simple detail 'deliberately' left out.

the question is why?.

UnshackleTheChains

So, my understanding is that the society -got it wrong for a number of decades, based on one man's obssessive dislike of beards -ie Judge Rutherford.

It appears contradictory that the society obsesses about everything they perceive as Pagan such as birthdays etc; yet for many years in the past, got Jesus and the beard thing wtong Fascinating 🤔

32

Beardless Jesus. Why?

by UnshackleTheChains in

beardless jesus in watchtower publications between 1930s and 1960s.

a simple detail 'deliberately' left out.

the question is why?.

UnshackleTheChains

Beardless Jesus in Watchtower publications between 1930s and 1960s.

A simple detail 'deliberately' left out. The question is WHY?

49

How do you categorise the Society - Cult or High control religion

by UnshackleTheChains in

i have often seen many categorise the organisation in different ways.

some say cult, some say high control religion.

cult or high control religion?.

UnshackleTheChains

Lol outlaw...

There was a dude in my hall many years ago with that same greacy smile 😀

49

How do you categorise the Society - Cult or High control religion

by UnshackleTheChains in

i have often seen many categorise the organisation in different ways.

some say cult, some say high control religion.

cult or high control religion?.

UnshackleTheChains

It's interesting reading everyone's answers here. From a personal perspective, I think watchtower has done a good job desensitizing their members to the word 'cult'. Perhaps, its articles they have written in which a question might be asked ' are Jehovah's Witnesses a Cult? and then go on to give reasons backed up by scripture to say why they are wrongly accused of such.

For me, 'High control religion' or as the ARC more recently described the organisation as a 'captive religion' seems to fit more aptly. I often view the organisation this way and use these categories when discussing the organisation.

I do however take the points from many on here why 'cult' can also be applied.

24

"Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."

by pale.emperor in

now that im not longer a jw this verse puzzles me.

being born and raised a witness, this verse confirmed to me that jesus was talking about a paradise on earth.

but now that everything the witnesses taught is 99.99% incorrect can somone explain what he was getting at here?

UnshackleTheChains

Heaven and earth both belong to God.....Why shouldn't man live forever on earth also.

I actually believe that Jesus and his anointed ones/holy ones will come back to earth to rule for a thousand years. Not just JWs, but all who acknowledge Jesus as God's chosen King. All the powers of the earth will need to accept God's arrangement. Dan 2:44