guardian this morning.... https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/23/jehovahs-witnesses-charity-drops-attempts-to-block-abuse-inquiry
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!!
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.
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!
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..
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
beardless jesus in watchtower publications between 1930s and 1960s.
a simple detail 'deliberately' left out.
the question is why?.
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 🤔
beardless jesus in watchtower publications between 1930s and 1960s.
a simple detail 'deliberately' left out.
the question is why?.
Beardless Jesus in Watchtower publications between 1930s and 1960s.
A simple detail 'deliberately' left out. The question is WHY?
i have often seen many categorise the organisation in different ways.
some say cult, some say high control religion.
cult or high control religion?.
Lol outlaw...
There was a dude in my hall many years ago with that same greacy smile 😀
i have often seen many categorise the organisation in different ways.
some say cult, some say high control religion.
cult or high control religion?.
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.
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?
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
first of all, sorry if i cannot correctly express the original expression used in my native language to ask for the "spiritual condition".. a few years ago some member of the family asks my wife directly how is her "spiritual health" (for me it's one of the many strange vocabulary used by jw like "the slave says...").
she was catched by surprise with the direct question and says that everything is ok... and luckily someone call them for lunch.. my question is: do you have any good answers for that question?
you can be ironic/use some humor because the question is a little bit anecdotical .
One sister visiting our hall asked how I was doing?
I said yeah great thanks...And you?
She replies..Fine thank you
and then those immortal words come spewing out..AND HOWS YOUR SPIRITUAL HEALTH?
I just looked at her thinking wtf. But my Christian calmness held me back. I breathed in, bit my tongue and said
'yeah fine thank you'.
Arrrrrggghhhhh 😠😣
you think that coming to this site or other anti-jw sites and showing you support for the org is noble.
knowing how brainwashed you are makes me cringe and disgustes me and i am sure others here on the forum.
becasue your in a cult and can't see it.
GTTE
Or the other perspective is - those of us who still attend meetings do so only for a number of reasons. The complexities of each person's life is a major factor. If I was a single man and had no family in, I would leave today. The problem is I have a lot of family who are witnesses. I also have a lot of friends in the organisation. My wife has witness friends up visiting on a weekly basis as she is very popular. I also have a belief in God, though I keep my personal beliefs private.Things become really awkward otherwise.
If I DA'd, the repercussions would be traumatic. It would also affect my health which I need to be careful about as would affect me very seriously.
Many on here may find themselves in similiar circumstances.So it's not all black and white for those of us still attending. I personally want to see the organisation reform and change its harmful policies. You can still be an activist whether in or out.
I understand where you are coming from in your op, but hope this explains my perspective.
