Srecko Sostar

not only high school but also primary school. :)) only do not know was this sort of thinking characteristic for Whole people in specific JW generation or one part of people in that generation :)) Up-vote!

verb judge to form, give, or have as an opinion, or to decide about something or someone, especially after thinking carefully to express a bad opinion of someone's behaviour, often because you think you are better than them to officially decide .....about someone or something to express the reasons why you have a particular opinion Perhaps we sometimes making too rashly, too much Conclusions about people and things around us. And we, of course, made errors in Conclusions. Judging sounds somehow as verdict, Final outcome, as like before Judge judging you for death sentence. Conclusions are also "dangerous", can be dangerous if we making decisions based on current, uncertain knowledge.

Mr Felix. John Butler and other ex-JW people are Gained their right to speak openly about WT (to share Critical Thoughts) with a Day of Personal Awaking and with a Day of leaving JW community !! I have to remind You how every "faithful member" aka JW member does not have and will never have any "Right", Permission and Free Will to "criticize" WT. Because of reasons: 1) he/she is "faithful member", 2) JW member will be disciplined if would dare to "criticize" or to put complain about WT, 3) hierarchical structure and Doctrines in WT gives no space for "criticizing" or for Critical Thoughts.

"the way that God operates towards humans" Few of you (or us :)))) maybe ..... and GB undoubtedly, in full measure,.....know how god operates :)))) Amazing how we are ready to make interesting, big, loud claims: We know .....and than continue to talking about so many things we know for sure how, when, why ......

this JW brother could/should not be on the stage without a jacket and tie.....according some elders/congregations rule :))))

Judas and Ray Franz Judas betrayed Jesus. That was his sin. Raymond Franz found that WT betrayed Jesus. That was his sin. Simple and clear.

Suicide in the ancient world did not carry the same negative connotations as it does today. Even bible text nowhere said how suicide is a sin or forbidden by Law. The biblical attitude toward suicide ranges from ambivalence to praise. Never made Judgmental statement against those who done that act of self-destruction. -Abimelech came to the tower, and fought against it, and came near to the entrance of the tower to burn it with fire. But a certain woman threw an upper millstone on Abimelech's head, and crushed his skull. Immediately he called to the young man who carried his armor and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, so people will not say about me, ‘A woman killed him.’ ” So the young man thrust him through, and he died. -the counselor Ahithophel hanged himself When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and went off home to his own city. He set his house in order, and hanged himself; he died and was buried in the tomb of his father. -Zimri, King of Israel, burned down his house around himself after military defeat. When Zimri saw that the city was taken, he went into the citadel of the royal palace and set the palace on fire around him. So he died, -Saul and his armor-bearer Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, so that these uncircumcised may not come and make sport of me. But his armor-bearer was unwilling, for he was terrified. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it. When his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell on his sword and died. Thus Saul died; he and his three sons and all his house died together -Samson Then Samson prayed to the Lord,“Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.... Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived. -even Judas suicide is an act of remorse, deep regret. According to JW elders instruction, he gave visible, strong signs of repentance :)) When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood Some people here looks "funny" with conclusions about suicide and intention to defend WT Company. And all that in the name of God and Bible.

some quotes from https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102009288 (my emphasis and enumeration) If, then, the clergy-laity distinction is not based on the model set by Jesus’ apostles and other early Christians, does that make it wrong? According to the Bible, yes. All you are brothers.”—Matthew 23:8. 1. God’s Word tells us that all Christians serve as God’s ministers and that none is above or beneath the other. (2 Corinthians 3:5, 6) 2. Spiritually older men did, of course, serve as overseers, which included being shepherds and teachers. (Acts 20:28) However, these men were not paid clerics. 3. For the most part, they were ordinary working men—husbands and fathers. Moreover, they qualified to serve as overseers, not by attending religious seminaries, but by being diligent students of God’s Word and by cultivating the spiritual qualities required by God. 4. As for ministering within the congregation, Christian men in general are encouraged to reach out for that privilege, which is the custom among Jehovah’s Witnesses.—1 Timothy 3:1. 5. The clergy-laity distinction exalts the clergy class, an evidence being adulatory religious titles. Yet, Jesus said: “He that conducts himself as a lesser one among all of you is the one that is great.” (Luke 9:48) In harmony with that spirit of humility, he told his followers not to adopt religious titles.—Matthew 23:8-12. 2.-1. A paid clergy class can impose a heavy financial burden on the laity, especially when the former have lavish lifestyles. Christian overseers, on the other hand, care for their financial needs by doing normal secular work, thus setting a good example for others.*—Acts 18:1-3; 20:33, 34; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-10. 2.-2. Because a clergyman may depend on others for financial support, he might be tempted to dilute the Bible’s message in order to please parishioners. Indeed, the Scriptures foretold that this very thing would occur. 6. The clergy-laity distinction tends to cause lay people to relegate religion to the clergy, while the laity just turn up for weekly services. Yet, all Christians must be conscious of their spiritual need and be good students of the Bible.—Matthew 4:4; 5:3. 7. When the laity are Biblically uninformed, they can easily be misled by clerics, even exploited by them. Indeed, history contains many examples of such abuses.*—Acts 20:29, 30. In order to adhere closely to the pattern set down in the Bible, Jehovah’s Witnesses have, not a clergy class, but unpaid spiritual shepherds and teachers who willingly minister to God’s flock. What is wrong here? How with intentions and practice inside WT JWorg? Intentions are looking good, theoretically. But, in practice, phrase 1. none is above or beneath the other is not fully correct, or it is not correct at all. Because, 2. Spiritually older men did, of course, serve as overseers, which included being shepherds and teachers. By this explanation, this men are in, are putted in position to be above other people who are not enough "spiritually older", what ever that could mean to be "older". In fact this phrase "spiritually older" means that such men, male (not any female, god save you from female spiritually older person :))))), are ordained and appointed by Management Structure (In past WT Headquarter made approval, today CO doing this, formally, but Who are involved, in fact, in this process is "heavenly secret", i guess, haha) Move ahead with 2. these men were not paid clerics. 2.-1. A paid clergy class can impose a heavy financial burden on the laity 2.-2. Because a clergyman may depend on others for financial support, he might be tempted to dilute the Bible’s. What's wrong with these statements? This is Half truth. Major elder class worldwide who are in congregations are not paid for ministry. They are half ammeters and half professionals, it depends on their experience and how deep and honest they personally are as Christians and as Persons. Other "appointed" servants are depends on other people money. They get financial support in many various forms. In money or in kind. So, yes they get paid for work they doing. And they depend on others for financial support. They receives some money, and they have sort of free Medical care and guess some Insurance and Pension fund. Many JW people working in Betel's are not "clergy" but have status of Elders, Ministerial Servants, Full Time Servants, CO-s, etc, they gave Oath to Poverty, and other similar stuffs unknown to Public. By Donation money JW members supporting, not only publishing magazines and publications and books, but Works aka Life of all others JW people who are involved in many and various Organizational Programs (Missioner activity, Building KH that belongs to Society not to congregants, Lawyers and Lawyers Firms that are Witnesses or non-Witnesses, for Court cases of all kind etc.) By that JW have paid classes of people who working In The Company. 3. serve as overseers, not by attending religious seminaries, Here we have another incorrect claim. Elders are invited and participated in "religious seminaries" prepared, arranged and guided by WT Society. They get instructions, advice's, new information's, etc. on how to run The Program inside Congregations. 4. Christian men in general are encouraged to reach out for that privilege, which is the custom among Jehovah’s Witnesses Here is one interesting thing i put just for emphasis question of Customs, Traditions and Folklore. All people, no matter of who they are, have this things. So, JW people are also under this influences. Good or bad, that is another question to discus. 5. not to adopt religious titles. WT Corporation has many Titles for people who are inside: Rank and File, Brother. Sister, Publisher, Unbaptized Publisher, Regular Pioneer, Auxiliary Pioneer, Special Pioneer, Missioner, Ministerial Servant, Elder, Overseer, Circuit Overseer, Secretary, Treasurer, Betel Member, International Servant or Volunteer, Construction Servant, Helper, Governing Body member, Anointed, etc. So, WT JWorg are not so different with titles for those who are inside Organization. 6. The clergy-laity distinction tends to cause lay people to relegate religion to the clergy, while the laity just turn up for weekly services. Because those "In Charge" aka elders are only one who are delegate by WT to give shepherding and teaching to the "flock" aka laity, that can cause relegate syndrome for laity aka rank and file members in JW congregation to be submissive to elders class in/to such measure to visit Sunday Church Meetings as all other religious people who come to meetings for Social Reasons. 7. When the laity are Biblically uninformed, they can easily be misled by clerics, even exploited by them. This is what take place in many issues in JW life and service. Take for example publication as "Shepherd book" or some other Internal memos coming from WT Headquarter to elders. If spiritual food in this documents are something based on Bible and are released to improve Congregation and Christian life and ministry, What can be reason for secrecy? Why only elders can see what was written there? That is clear evidence how exists Clergy-Laity distinction inside JWorg. What can be reason to not provide to members information's about content of such "only for Elders eye book"? Examples from Bible show how elders and all other members must follow "Bible principles". One of significant bible principles is that "Judicial things" must be free and open to all who want to know, who are involved, and those who are not involved in "case". "Investigation and Judging" must be in public place, beside city gates "Give judgment in your gates for truth, justice, and peace". Why in public? Think about reasons for that. Existence of "secret books and memos only for elders eyes" contribute to Elders-Laity class distinction" among JWorg. Is there something in this book that rank and file member will understand wrongly, or will be unable to understand rightly ?? :))) Beside these what was said, think about why Elders call for "clergy privilege" when Judge on Court ask them to reveal things about something what took place inside JW members. And based on this Elders refuse to answer questions on Court. How that can be, JW elders are not nominally "Clergy" but acting as normal "Clergy" in full measure. Well, some of clergy inside JWorg are not paid for service, and some are paid for service. Distinction existing.

Judicial hearing ????? Stupid, Idiotic!!!!! People who have such issue, problems needs Friendly "hearing", NOT Judicial. Idiots!! (sorry for my language, but must give emotion on this)

If you don't mind my open comment, but i think how it is very pathetic that so called Revalidation or Official Approval, Confirmation from GB must be released, given as first step, as Doctrinal teaching to allow JW men who want to have beard to have it. I would not called this News as some sort of "new light", or "organizational progress", or "Org. is changing". Because if this news make you "happy", or make you "glad to see new Instruction comes on brotherhood" .... than i can say how you, dear people, don't see another thing: - That the clergy aka GB determined the things they should not have to determine. - That there are more/many things in JW life run by rules that should not have to exist, but existing because GB policy, management, ruling. - This example proves how JW people are Subjected, expose to, Submissive to HUMAN RULES. And how some/many of you feels some sort of release and happiness now, when this Burden was put away from you. Think, please, what other GB Rules administrates, governs (governing body) your life and you continuing to obey it/them.

The WT Finance Department made the recommendations after a deep look, deep screening at the global situation, in and out of JWorg society . :)))))

I am very sure how this "duty" for elders are viewed as burden in their eyes. "Flock" are often confused about purpose for such meetings, perhaps they are "guilty" for something :)))))) and that is why some or many of them feels it how such "shepherding" is mainly for "spiritually weak" members ,or just "must be done duty/visit". Visiting brothers at least once a year, or twice....before CO visit congregation is hard and forced task for elders and i do not think how they are very happy with this WT "arrangement". I can not recall they have visiting me in that way. Maybe once in a life time. :)))

I do not see need for giving addresses. Is it legal to announce the names? This is interesting legal question for sure. Maybe initials of name and numbers how many people in this and that country made crime. But, here comes to my mind, is it legal to announce the name of Dfd or Diss person in front of congregation if such individual not gave his/her written permission that his/her name can be publicly announced by elders from platform ????!!!! Does Judicial Committee asking for such permission in US or elsewhere ????? :)))) How would that protect children? Money would not protect children in that way, of course. But, your question in this form about context is something i would not expect from you !!

Agree in intention you want to have, but disagree in your reasoning, how publishing all possible information's about problem is of no benefit for such a goal. - truthful information's about all cases from past to today  - put free space for listeners to make own conclusions and possibility to express it in responding comments, letters, talks, etc. Disclosure info about this will help JW members to understand magnitude of this evil, and how this is reality not only in "worldly system under satan power", but is also devastating disease inside JW church with many JW members who suffer because of that. JW members, as i had seen before my left JW, in few short conversations, are rejecting this as problem, and never heard nothing similar had happened (here in Croatia, or in Germany, as one bro in telephone call from Hamburg area told me). So, as firstly, THIS WILL HELP in that way to introduce how problem EXISTING inside JW congregations. AFTER that, when information's made circle around all JW worldwide, they will need some time to absorb information's, and after they will need to share personal feelings, thoughts, etc. about issue. For this reason WT need to give FREE HAND for all those who want to talk about it. People will and must to come to state of awareness, awakened emotions and state of confusion and disbelief. For that reason those who "controlled their spirituality health" must give them space to TALK ABOUT. And NOT to Suppress. And not to Misguide them. This can help JW community to take curse in which consciousness rises to a higher level, a spiritual awakening emerges from drowsiness from false security (false, conceited, imagined attitudes about self righteousness), catharsis comes, spiritual and thinking/rational purification can take position to replace most or all what is wrong. By this you open the door to new era. To new heart. And that would give a chance to those who seeking the truth.

- truthful information's about all cases from past to today - put free space for listeners to make own conclusions and possibility to express it in responding comments, letters, talks, etc. - list of those who are dfd for molestation's - list of those who are sentenced by Courts for molestation's - how much money was payed for various expenses - collectively asking for forgiveness, apologize to victims I am sure how some of this points you would support too. :))

.... you are so right, ..... well why not to thing the same about JW elders, according to same logic????

you ridicules other, so why not to ridicule your ridicules. Canadian Soccer Association is right choice .... Canadian Snowbird Association is better choice.... but if you continue in looking more on list, you will finally come to CONTEXT :)))))))

Up-vote! Another thing. It is good that You speaking about issue on your blog. No matter of your intention to defend GB. But it is positive that You talking how cases are open and they are in the midst of JW people. Those JW who will go on Your page will find, I guess, more information than from WT official channels of communication. hehe

S. Lett delivered message how WT and JW members are "holy people" who respecting Bible moral standards and teachings about sexuality. By that reason JW people condemns depravity as pedophilia. What S. Lett didn't said is, that WT policy and rules, instruction how to handle inside cases when own members molesting JW kids, are very questionable and how such weak, inadequate, misguided approach to pedophiles, shows that WT is not capable of solving problems in their own home. Another thing that S. Lett didn't said is, from where coming expression "permissive". Who, what ex-JW individual or group used terminology "permissive" in this context? What You-Tube video or individual letter accused WTJWorg for "permissiveness" about pedophiles? As i can conclude from YT videos i saw, ex-JW or pedophiles victims talking about wrong treatments of elders and WT rules that are in fact working in favor to wrongdoers and leaving victims without "justice", and even put victims to be as guilty part because they are not "able to prove accusations", or even contribute to be a victims. Such WT policy can be seen as "permissive", and it is, no matter what was the intentions of WT Creators when making rules about how to handle and processing child molestation accusation. S. Lett, (with some other TV preachers on JWTV) made another manipulation on Public JWTV. Never told about Court cases and out of Court deals, and how much money WT gave, by Court decision or by settlement, to victims. Omitting to talk about it, on JWTV as worldwide instrument to share spiritual food and instructions to Brotherhood, WT leaders showed and still showing sort of "permissiveness", not so much to pedophiles, but to own Wrong Ideas and Teachings and to themselves as Pioneers who created bad administrative regulations on issue, and now they do not want to admit their own guilt.

Excellent and amazing founding, revelation. Nail in coffin, as some would say. Controversy in full measure, despite written statement in preface of magazine that say: ITS MISSION ............ It does not indulge in controversy, and its columns are not open to personalities". ............. No controversy? Writers are generate Controversy in the Core Itself. Listen what is written in the magazine: quote: "Such "society" is not legal society or corporation, chartered according to the laws of some state or nation, ...." they said. They are exactly what they claim they are not !! Hey JW people, AWAKE! Dear people, this is official hoax on paper. Watchtower and all entities under Mother Organization are pure Corporations worldwide, and all, every single of them have Charter/s!!

ITS MISSION THIS journal is published for the purpose of enabling the people to know Jehovah God and his purposes as expressed in the Bible. It publishes Bible instruction specifically designed to aid Jehovah's witnesses and all people of good-will. It arranges systematic Bible study for Its readers and the Society supplies other literature to aid in such studies. It publishes suitable material for radio broadcasting and for other means of public instruction in the Scriptures. It adheres strictly to the Bible as authority for its utterances. It is entirely free and separate from all religion, parties, sects or other worldly organizations. It is wholly and without reservation for the kingdom of Jehovah God under Christ his beloved King. It is not dogmatic, but invites careful and critical examination of its contents In the light of the Scriptures. It does not indulge in controversy, and its columns are not open to personalities. 1) It adheres strictly to the Bible as authority for its utterances Plenty of doctrinal and instructional, corporative changes from 1943 to today reveals that so called "Bible authority" as base for WT articles was questionable intention. Is it Bible itself questionable authority that is not able to provide clear idea to those who reading Bible text? Is it human perception of very same Words some kind of trap that unable clear understanding? What is general or particular Bible Idea? To create only true "religious organization"? Really ?! WT publications in general and here WT magazine as particular paper for dispensing spiritual food clearly proved that it can't be trusted for it's readers. IN LIGHT OF THIS CONCLUSION, it is very significant how text continues with this: 2) It is not dogmatic, but invites careful and critical examination of its contents In the light of the Scriptures. The WT Magazine was Not dogmatic? If authors aka publishers and writers of The WT articles of those period of time were had such idea about own presentation of spiritual food, than that is for praise, undoubtedly. What was changed in meantime?? If you as author of your articles made claim that you and your written ideas are not dogmatic, and how all other are invited to make Careful and Critical Examination of ITS contents, than All Open Discussion, Reasoning, Pro et Contra Argumentation, Accuracy and Wrongness will Never be Sanctioned by Those in "Charge" , from so called "Spiritual Authority", who ever they are in particular time. No Shunning or Disfellowshiping of those who have Other Opinion, because even Official doctrines are only this, Current Point of View, Current Opinion and nothing more, as reality shows us until this day! Curiosity for fun; interesting terminology from 1943 ."...while we were on Watchtower street work..." :))) good title for preaching service :))))

I had different "motive" why i "had to" quit school in the middle of second grade of high school. (In Croatia we have 8 grades in Primary School and then 4 grades in High School. ......After you can go to "Higher Education" aka University .... ahahaha) To come back ... In first and second grade, school has program (Communism era) of learning about weapons inside subject called, in free translation "Pre-military training". In first grade you learned theoretically and in second grade teacher bringing rifles and after students going to shooting place to shoot one or few bullets in wooden target, ...I guess it was wooden :))) . If you not complete and went to shooting, you can't get evaluation and in final missed to passed a school class, year. I have been baptized in that same month, one Sunday in November 1977. And next day, in Monday, had to, must to "defend" my "christian belief" in front of teacher. Of course, without happy outcome for me :)))). Well, as i can not see any future in this, i quit school and looking for some job. Imagine. Even elders made meeting in congregation with me to ask about what was happen, but i felt as i was suspected of something from elders. What can you do without some school or skills or practice and experience? But after one year i get job and learning to be bookbinder in one small workshop not far from home place, in fact 10-15 minutes by walk..... Doing that for some 1,5 year, in meanwhile went to prison for known reason, and then continue next 1,5 year at same workshop.

... many, many years ago i heard JW people talking the same "story"here mentioned. You open interesting question. Why would god provide help, protection to some JW and not to other JW. When i was much younger, that means, many, many years ago ... again, i heard another "story", true or not, do not know. Some young sisters preached from house to house (from flat to flat in building) to some young man. A re-visit was agreed. They came next time and then several men raped them. So, again why would "angels that stand around you as protectors" in preaching service and in life, generally, allowed this crime to happened ????????????????????????????? Is the answer? To be proved how this World is in power of evil one????... or maybe ...."People must answer on Universal Questions about god's sovereignty, ...or this .....Would people obey god from Love?????? .... or maybe ... So I reflected on all this and concluded that the righteous and the wise and what they do are in God’s hands, but no one knows whether love or hate awaits them. 2 All share a common destiny—the righteous and the wicked, the good and the bad,[a] the clean and the unclean, those who offer sacrifices and those who do not........ I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all. Please, Do not joke/yoke me with this or similar answers !!!!!!!!!

ahh, do not worry, this typing errors comes with age and common vision problems

I mean on change that is visible in aspects as; Kill "apostates" vs turn the other cheek, love your enemies, etc. 100% change The man who acts presumptuously by not obeying the priest who stands to minister there before the Lord your God, or the judge, that man shall die. So you shall purge the evil from Israel. “If there is found among you, within any of your towns that the Lord your God is giving you, a man or woman who does what is evil in the sight of the Lord your God, in transgressing his covenant, and has gone and served other gods and worshiped them, or the sun or the moon or any of the host of heaven, which I have forbidden, and it is told you and you hear of it, then you shall inquire diligently, and if it is true and certain that such an abomination has been done in Israel, then you shall bring out to your gates that man or woman who has done this evil thing, and you shall stone that man or woman to death with stones. David prayer against his enemies: May the table set before them become a snare; may it become retribution and a trap. 23 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever. 24 Pour out your wrath on them; let your fierce anger overtake them. 25 May their place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in their tents. 26 For they persecute those you wound and talk about the pain of those you hurt. 27 Charge them with crime upon crime; do not let them share in your salvation. 28 May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous.