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FOR EX-JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES NOT GOING BACK TO WATCHTOWER BUT UNABLE TO SHAKE THE BELIEFS
When people exit Jehovah’s Witnesses, not all but many, still believe basic teachings such as “many now living will never die but live forever in paradise on earth,” “Christmas is from paganism,” etc. They also often think, “Well, if it isn’t The Truth, then what is?” The result is that even though 3 out 4 will not go back to Watchtower possibly 1 in the 4 will continue thinking Watchtower has if not all then a lot of “The Truth.” Also, although sure they would never go back to Watchtower, because of such persisting thoughts, some do anyway. Therefore this publication was written to help, and all readers who find it useful are urged to copy it and give copies to others. To begin and as noted, the Watchtower Society over Jehovah’s Witnesses teaches the Good News is “many now living will never die and will live forever on paradise earth” but Paul says we all sin and therefore we will all die. To be absolutely convinced that this is true go now to and read 1Corinthians 15:22. After reading it, you know it’s the real truth, and you can be sure that Paul knew more than the Watchtower’s Governing Body men. So, then, what is the The Good News? Since we all sin and all will therefore die, the actual Good News is the hope of the resurrection. Watchtower teaches earth will remain forever, never end, basing this on Ecclesiastes 1:4, but they ignore and hope Jehovah’s Witnesses do not notice the other Bible verses saying that after earth passes away a new earth will come. To be convinced, definitely read Matthew 24:35, Luke 21:33, and Revelation 21:1. When you do you will see for yourself that the earth passes away but will be created again. Watchtower teaches that "the dead are conscious of nothing at all,” basing this on Ecclesiastes 9:5, and indeed at death the dead are unconscious, dead, as in sleep. But it’s the bodies of the dead that are not conscious, for not just pagans but the Bible scriptures say that there are human souls (spirits that were in bodies) which go to heaven, praise God and serve there. True or false, doesn’t even Watchtower say that at least 144,000 go to heaven? So, when Watchtower claims that the idea of souls surviving death is only a “pagan” teaching, remember that the teaching is also in the Bible. This means that Watchtower has only told you and other part of the truth about the dead. Another important matter regarding the dead is that since God is just, He does not let the wicked just sleep forever unpunished. Think about it. Watchtower says the dead just sleep, and even the worst evildoers will receive no punishment other than to sleep forever. But yet the Bible says there is a resurrection when we are all judged and then some are rewarded while others are disciplined. Our Father in heaven disciplines totally fairly for his main quality is love as stated at 1 John 4:8 and also verse 16. He has perfect knowledge of peoples’ deeds, misdeeds and repentance, and He considered all such matters in a totally fair and just way. The Greek and Hebrew words that are translated “forever” as when talking about “everlasting fire” actually mean “for a long time” but not forever. If those who did evil things such as harm children only had to sleep forever, that wouldn’t be justice for their victims, would it!? Now, one major reason those exiting or who already exited from Jehovah’s Witnesses feel anxious or uneasy about other groups is that they have constantly been told that the cross is a horrible murder weapon, but Paul says BOAST of the cross for in Christ’s case it symbolizes the resurrection victory over death. In order to know this is also The Truth, you need to read Galatians 6:14 and 1Corinthians 1:17-18. You were also told that early Christians began using Easter rabbits and eggs as vestiges of ancient pagan fertility rituals, a kind of sex worship, but the Truth is that they were and are symbols of new life, which is what the resurrection hope is, New Life. Watchtower also drilled it into the heads of yourself and others that the very name Easter is derived from the name of an ancient goddess named Eastre. The names look so similar, the person who first speculated that this was the case was the English scholar named Bede. However, other experts say the name is likely from the word “east” or “eastern.” This is because Christianity came out of the East into Europe. That’s the connection. Watchtower forbids regular Jehovah’s Witnesses from partaking of wine and bread emblems at each years Memorial observance; however, that is different from what Christ says. Prove this to yourself so you will always know the real Truth, read John 6:54 now. Doesn’t Christ specifically say that all Christians who want to live must partake? The answer is either yes or no. What does the Bible itself tell you there? And please keep this in mind from this point on. Watchtower also teaches that a Little Flock of literally 144,000 go to heaven but Revelation 19:1 says the “great crowd” or in some translations “a great multitude” is in heaven. Definitely read that verse. In fact you probably did read that particular scripture and all the others you are reading here many times before, but when you did so you didn’t notice the relevance and in particular if at a Watchtower “study” at the time you were quickly moved on to other topics. Watchtower orders Jehovah’s Witness to not only shun former Jehovah’s Witnesses but to do so harshly, although it’s true some JWs such as extra loving parents have ignored what Watchtower says and socialize under Watchtower’s “unless it’s for important family business” provision. However, Watchtower’s elders are pushed to pressure those who wish to be kinder to not do so, and so therefore in most cases the shunning is as said applied in a harsh and rigid way. Some former JWs have not been allowed to speak to parents in 20, 30 or 40 years. So it’s good to know and be able to point out that the scriptures themselves condemn unmerciful and unfair judging. Read James 2:4, 13; 3:12 for the absolute proof that this is indeed what the Bible itself says. It’s true that Paul says a "Majority" avoided a wrongdoer as he suggested (Read 2 Corinthians 2:6), but notice that the word "majority" means that a minority did not do so. It is true as Watchtower has pointed out that Paul could "order" Timothy but please notice that this was about their missionary or relief work. In fact the Bible says that Christians keep freedom to differ on Christian matters. Read through Romans 14 on Christian conscience. Read 1 Corinthians 13:8 which says that “Love never fails.” Christians are to hate the sin but not the sinner. Christ died for us all, every single one of us being imperfect, that is sinners. Christ said he came to help sinners not the perfect! So Watchtower is totally out of line when it has promoted the idea that one is to hate not only the sin but the sinner. Although Christ said he came to put a sword between family members he was talking about how some family members would choose to be decent people like Christ while others would keep doing wrong things. Christ never ever favored destroying families, and he, not Watchtower’s heads,
is our main role model and spiritual king. True, scripture speaks of a faithful and discreet slave of God, but isn’t
the MOST faithful and discreet Slave of God, Christ himself? That being true, isn’t it also true that we must
follow only the Lamb of God, the Son of God who is Jesus Christ? Of course, or we can’t truthfully say we are
Christians. Watchtower’s Awake! magazine of May 22, 1994 boasts of and shows photos of JW kids who died refusing transfusions. If you can see a copy. At writing a copy was seen by scrolling down a little on the homepage of ajwrb.org. Some estimates are that from 1945 on possibly over 200,000 JWs have bled to death after rejecting emergency transfusions of blood. When possibly get and read a copy of David A. Reed’s book Blood On The Altar. There’s such a thing as non-blood surgery, but for example when a young mother is rapidly bleeding from complications after giving birth or else a severe car wreck victim is gushing blood, there’s not enough time. To God, life is sacred. Life itself is more sacred than its symbol, blood. A major reason former Jehovah’s Witnesses find it hard to talk to people who attend other churches is that they are not comfortable hearing God’s name as anything but what Watchtower has drilled and drilled and drilled, that is the name “Jehovah.” However, what does the Bible itself say on how to speak of God and how to pray to him? Well, it’s a fact that both Christ and Paul say to call God “our Father” or Abba (Dad/Pappa) not Jehovah. Read Matthew 6:9, Mark 14:36, Roman 8:15, Galatians 4:6. Watchtower tries to counter by stressing that Romans 10:13 says Christians must call on God’s name “in order to be saved.” However, most thoughtful Christians quickly point out that this scripture means we must call upon God as a powerful, loving Father to save us; it’s not saying to use a formal name such as Jehovah or Yahweh as if pronouncing it were a kind of magical incantation sure to save us. To reason better on this, would Johnny Baker or Jane Baker call the father whom they love “Baker”
or “Mr. Baker”? That would be too formal, wouldn’t show closeness. Instead they show their love
by saying “dad,” “daddy,” “papa” or father. And, again, to become closer to God,
we do as Christ says in the Lord’s Prayer or Our Father Prayer which is at Matthew 6:9 where Christ says to use Father.
He is Our Father in heaven. There are some friendly elders among those whom Watchtower has appointed but to become and stay appointed as elders
they must do things "exactly" as told or else be deleted, possibly disfellowshipped. Watchtower orders elders,
as said, to send all JWs deemed “in good standing” to preach at doors, thus including those deemed by Watchtower
to be so-called “repentant” pedophiles. And yet many states and nations have laws saying people have a right
to know who the pedophiles are so that they can protect the Little Ones. By contrast Watchtower thinks its policy of
hiding and sheltering those who harm children is superior. However, Christians say as Christ did to protect the Little
Ones. One website that has helped to expose Watchtower about this issue is silentlambs.org. Some people have added pranks and other activities that are not Christian to Halloween but originally it began in Europe when parents dressed their children in costumes like faithful persons had been tortured and murdered for staying Christians in the hope that their children would imitate them and also stay loyal to God. Halloween comes from the words for All Hallows (Holy Ones or Saints) Evening. Watchtower claims that almost all churches teach that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are the one same God or person. Instead most churches teach the 3 are different persons but one in divine nature, meaning absolute holiness. Since they are equally holy, Christians often say they are deity or God but notice that this is in the sense of their being divine or godly just as Titus 2:13 says, and in addition Christians definitely do teach the Father is greater than the Son just as John 14:28 states. Watchtower constantly points out that Paul said he wanted women to be quiet and respectful
but Watchtower does not note that of course Paul also wanted men to be that quiet and respectful. The reason Paul brought
up the matter is that women coming together in a meeting with other women and men was something which Roman and Greek society
did not normally allow, and therefore, they naturally wanted to chat with one another. He was against women for he calls Phoebe
a Minister who risked her own life. Read Romans16:1. Farther, he says women can be Teachers at Titus 2:3.
Read it please. Prisca as well as her husband Aquilla taught Apollo more about Christianity. Early historical
documents including letters by Pliny the Senior speak of female ministers whom the Romans tortured and sometimes killed. Although other groups also do not have absolutely perfect knowledge most are safer, more loving and allow well-balanced Christian freedom. To be “fitly united in faith” does not mean to unity is everyone being forced to say they believe all the same things like robots. Instead the Bible says Christian Unity comes from LOVE, and the loving thing is allowing some freedom to differ. Read Col 3:14, 1Co 13:8, 13. Christ is the VERY MOST Faithful and Discreet Slave of God. Finally, a very common question which some still have even decades after exiting Watchtower is “what the true religion?” Remember that at Ephesians 4:5 Paul says there’s one lord, one baptism and one faith. The one lord is Christ, the one baptism is the baptism into being a Christian, and the one faith that existed when Paul noted that it existed was then and now: general Christianity, which has good, average, and bad branches. If you find a group that you feel comfortable with, that is they don’t force you to have to believe and go by their many harsh rules etc, then you are definitely free to associate with them. Read Hebrews 16:1 to clearly know what the key beliefs are for Christians to make sure they are in line with those. If you prefer to study on your own, then you can but remember that when gathered with others it can spark many fine works to God’s glory. (Hebrews 10:24) Another possibility is that you and another person or persons might want to meet in a home or homes to read the scriptures together. Christ is where two or three have gathered. (Matthew 18:20) Those are your own decisions. As a Jehovah’s Witness you did not have to make many spiritual decisions for you were supposed to do whatever Watchtower taught, not think independently. But the Watchtower way is not God’s way. God gave us brains to use, decisions to make. If He made everyone the exact same like robots that would not be showing love. Instead he allows Christian freedom. The main thing that Christ said Christians must remember is to emphasize love for one another. (John 13:34) This is not phony conditional love as given when newcomers first come to a Christian meeting, but it unconditional, active love. Watchtower has often emphasized and sometimes given mispredictions about when Armageddon would come even though that goes against Christ saying at Matthew 24:36 that no one except God knows the hour of the end. For example videotapes on youtube.com prove that Frederick or Freddie Franz who was then President of the Watchtower misled JWs to believe 1975 would be the year for Armageddon. And until 2010 Watchtower kept telling JWs to tell the Public that some of the Generation of people alive in 1914 would see Armageddon. Deuteronomy 18:21, 22 says a false prophet’s failed predictions prove that he is false and he is not to be feared. If instead of emphasizing doomsday Watchtower emphasize unselfish acts of loving kindness to widows, orphans, the lame, blind, sick and poor, they be doing the things the apostles and Christ did. (Luke 14:12) Although we are saved by God’s grace or undeserved kindness and not by any number of works that we may do (Ephesians 2:8-9), James 2:24 adds that Christian works are also part of being a Christian: "You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone." Not being in the Watchtower means that former Jehovah’s Witnesses become far freer to show such love. Watchtower does not allow JWs to help the Red Cross, Salvation Army, join the YMCA, Gideons etc. It also teaches that flags are idols of nationalism even though the numerous verses in the Hebrew or Old Testament part of the Bible which use the word translated as flags or banners always speak of those in positive terms. For example read Psalm 20:5, Canticles also called Song of Solomon 2:4, Canticles or Song of Solomon 6:4, 10. God himself told the tribes of Israel to used banners or flags. In those days pagan nations often carried small idols into battle on top of poles representing the gods they worshipped. God had told the Israelites they must not use idols. Read Exodus 20:4. So to represent themselves and God they instead used banners or flags. Watchtower heads talk a lot in their publications about human sexuality, and have had elders on their Judicial Committees to pry into details about sexual matters, although scripture says not to. They also have Bedroom Laws and many say they have really gone too far in invading the bonds of holy matrimony. For example they have published articles saying that only one position is permitted in which marital intimacy is scriptural for a JW married couple. Further, former Governing Body member, Ray Franz has written that some JW elders gone even farther. Embarrassing but true, some elders secretly judge against any JW husbands who have sex in the normal place if the JW husband is not positioned in front of his wife. It is repugnant to think of self-righteous elders and their busybody spies. Read 1 Peter 4:15. It is naturally disgusting to picture that some elders such as those who are secretly child molesters pry, snicker at and condemn others for what they incorrectly call “dog sex” misapplying Revelation 22:15. Some would be shocked, too, to know the extent of wives being battered by JW men. Often the very worst abusers are those who are elders. The everyday stresses of being Watchtower elders have overwhelmed some, it seems, as they drink too much in the privacy of their homes, then later are slapping, pushing, beating up their wives. Not all elders do this, but yes all too many have and still do. Perhaps one reason Watchtower is so severe toward former JWs is that they themselves have so much to hide, so much to lose. Watchtower heads have sometimes admitted to shockers such as wife-swapping, pedophilia, homosexuality. Read the Watchtower magazine of January 1, 1986 on p 13. And many JWs know there is not only drunkenness, but sometimes illegal drug trafficking etc. A former JW named Mark Polo was interviewed on the sixscreensofthewatchtower.com phone conference for ExJWs and Friends. He alleged in details how former Governing Body member Leo Greenlees molested him. It’s all on tape. When Greenlees’ pedophilia became too widely known, Greenlees, now deceased, was only transferred. Nor is Greenlees the only Governing Body member about whom pedophilia has been alleged. Too, many have remarked upon rampant homosexuality especially in the time of Watchtower’s President Nathan Knorr but doubtlessly still happening and at all levels. Allegations of homosexuality have been made, for example, in regard to former, now deceased Governing Body member Ewert (“Ed”) Chitty. A JW who had been a psychologist including for people in Watchtower’s New York headquarters has noted that in years past some of the pioneers, that is JW full-time preachers, went preaching at doors in Ohio and then stopped at an elder’s house to watch pornography and also had orgies. She has confirmed that Watchtower headquarters knew that pedophilia was a major problem among JW congregations at least as far back as 1988. Barbara Anderson of Tennessee who worked in the world headquarter has also revealed inner doings regarding the blood issue, pedophilia, alcoholism etc. Watchtower most fears loss of its image in the minds of local level JWs and the Public.
Watchtower has bragged that it keeps growing and this is “evidence” that God’s Spirit is blessing them. Instead there are reasons to believe Watchtower has often given dishonest statistics, especially for during the decade after the 1975 misprediction, a total fiasco. Former elder Bill Bowen has noted that a professional statistician whom he know has expressed skepticism about Watchtower’s alleged “growth” figures. For example instead of 3.2% worldwide for 2009, the real statistic for 2009 may have been more like .5 or down to -1%.
Many who attended the 2009 Memorial have said their own eyes showed attendance declines of 10 to 30 percent. One reason for the decline is JWs aren’t happy enough to invite newcomers or previous JWs to the Memorial event. Many now know about the scandals, loss of love, doctrinal quicksand such as the 1914 misprediction. Donations are also down steeply.
Watchtower has shown favoritism toward those who are famous JWs. For example it is said that headquarters gladly backed off and accepted a $40 million donation and real estate gift from Michael Jackson although he eventually quit over their suppression of artistic freedom regarding the Thriller video. It has also been very forgiving of Venus and Serena Williams, the highly-paid tennis stars even in the wake of Serena’s cursing scandal and near-nude photos. Venus is a global ambassador for UNESCO, a branch of the United Nations. Google to see plenty of past news items as confirmation.
Speaking of the U.N. which JW elders have often denounced from the platform, after it was revealed by the U.K.’s Guardian newspaper that Watchtower had had a secret ten year liaison with the U.N., Watchtower quit and claimed it had only been officially associated with the U.N. in order to get a library research card at a U.N. library. This was false for no official association is needed to get such a card. To this day, writing in May 2010, although Watchtower no longer has a direct tie to the U.N., it instead uses the Watchtower’s U.K. branch head, Paul Gillies, as a contact person and its European Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses is a Non-Governmental Organization.
Some other concerns are that Watchtower has swung yet again to condemning and discouraging JWs from getting higher educations. Frankly many regular JWs see the Governing Body as mentally off-balanced or at the least definitely out of touch with reality beyond their apartments at Watchquarters headquarters. More than ever these days getting a decent education is not some kind of foolishness or extravagance but a real necessity.
The Governing Body members get all kinds of perks such as free medical care, free dental care, six week vacations, free tickets for trips to give talks in nations around the globe, high class hotel rooms, quality meals, luxurious cars kept clean and driven by Bethel staff members which are parked and hidden in an basement parking area etc. Who pays for such things for them, the other Bethel heavies and attorneys? Money from the Worldwide Fund does, and that comes from mostly unknowing JWs and the contributing Public.
Some will say the incidence of mental illnesses among JWs is no greater than for other religious groups. However actual studies done and researched by former JW elder Jerry Bergman clearly shows it is and significantly so. Also, many who have been in kingdom halls know from just being there that many of the sisters are on pills for mental depression. JWs are not, as some elders have been heard to say, “the happiest people on the earth.” Many wear smiles and you may think they are really happy, but in fact when people are severely depressed they learn to “wear” such smiles, and continuous smiling while the eyes sparkle eyes thus often means the very opposite of being happy.
Christ says his own yoke is light, that he is gentle. Read Matthew 11:30. He says that he himself is the way, the life, and The Truth. Read John 14:6. You are thus invited to go closer to the real Truth. Christ also notes that the sheep recognize the bell of their shepherd. (John 10:27) This publication has been written not to draw you to this or that organization or some other human or humans alive or dead, but to lovingly, truthfully help you to better hear the shepherd’s bell and draw closer to Christ, the most Faithful and Discreet or Loyal and Wise Slave ever of our Father in heaven. When you know the real Truth it sets you free and it can keep you free, too. (John 8:32) Please freely make and mail or email along copies of this so that others can also be helped.
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