DespicableME

What does misrepresenting scripture have to do with ACADEMIA?

Academia is an aggregate for learning and teaching. Critics of the Watchtower have NO value in teaching other than to distort what the Watchtower teaching is by whining like 6-year-old, little girls.

For once, be honest with its definition other than to impose hypothetical, speculative, conjectural, impractical, and unrealistic views to the lies (John 8:44,) perpetrated by unscrupulous people.

Adjective

1. Of or relating to a college, academy, school, or other educational institution, especially one for higher education: academic requirements.

2. Pertaining to areas of study that are not primarily vocational or applied, as the humanities or pure mathematics.

3. Theoretical or hypothetical; not practical, realistic, or directly useful: an academic question; an academic discussion of a matter already decided.

4. Learned or scholarly but lacking in worldliness, common sense, or practicality.

5. Conforming to set rules, standards, or traditions; conventional: academic painting.

6. Acquired by formal education, especially at a college or university: academic preparation for the ministry.

7. (initial capital letter) of or relating to Academe or to the Platonic school of philosophy.

Noun

8. A student or teacher at a college or university.

9. A person who is academic in background, attitudes, methods, etc.: He was by temperament an academic, concerned with books and the arts.

10. (Initial capital letter) a person who supports or advocates the Platonic school of philosophy.

11. Academics, the scholarly activities of a school or university, as classroom studies or research projects: more emphasis on academics and less on athletics.

 

So, NO! There is NOTHING academic about this portion of the forum. It’s fool’s gold to think otherwise. That’s just an excuse to toe the party line, nothing more.

:))))) but we all consider ourselves as Academic citizens, and by that we constitute this Forum to be in such shape :))))) Academic....because we all have something important and very  scholarly to say about almost all issue. Group as such forming quality or not quality in thoughts that was expressed. And this level of conversations constitute or not would be this site academic or not :)))
 

In recent years, the Jehovah’s Witnesses have pushed their propaganda via annual conventions taking place in multiple locations around the country. Leaders have created high-quality films to show at these events, intended to teach a moral lesson from the faith. But those lessons often teach believers to shun family members who think for themselves, refuse blood transfusions even if your life is at risk, and stay faithful to God even when your life involves disaster after disaster.
So what’s in store for 2018? JW watchdog Lloyd Evans received copies of this year’s videos from someone on the inside of the organization, and he’s released them to the public so you can see how the organization plans to further manipulate its members.
The 2018 “Be Courageous” convention program hasn’t even been released on JW.org yet, but months before the first events are due to start we already have reason to expect similarly jaw-dropping material thanks to an unprecedented leak of unfinished convention video files to JWsurvey.org, complete with timers and greenscreen.
Six videos have been sent to JWsurvey by a Watchtower insider, apparently intended for a symposium designed to remind Witnesses of the need to show courage…
So what do these six videos teach? 
1) That your coworkers may want you to get politically active, but you must have the courage to say no!
Watchtower needs to make Witnesses fearful and paranoid about Satan’s world by convincing them that “worldly” people are thuggish, threatening and unyielding (unlike Jehovah’s organization, which separates people from their families for disagreeing with the leaders), and the story of Mark, dreamt up by their Writing Department, well serves this purpose.
2) That LGBTQ allies may want you to show your support, but you must have the courage to say no! Or else they’ll get shrill and angry.
Having failed to persuade anyone that Jehovah’s Witnesses have the right to tell gays and lesbians whom they may or may not love, or how they may or may not express their love, an exasperated Watchtower has resorted to this shabby attempt at portraying allies of the LGBTQ community as sneering, hostile and confrontational — precisely the attitude that Watchtower itself exhibits against gays and lesbians through its publications.
3) That strangers may not enjoy your proselytizing, but you must have the courage to tell them they’re doomed if they don’t agree with you!
… Next time she struggles with apprehension at the prospect of ambushing people she doesn’t know with a message that amounts to “believe as I do, or be killed,” she must mutter the mantra “pray, hope in Jehovah, and act.” (Please take a moment to write that down if it seems too complicated.)
4) That your religious leaders may give you irrational instructions, but you must have the courage to obey!
It is hard to conceive of more Orwellian, Jonestown-inducing ideology than this. Eight million Jehovah’s Witnesses were told that any instructions from Watchtower must be obeyed regardless of whether they can be logically justified!
5) That Armageddon will come, but you must have the courage to ignore the implications of Jehovah’s mass genocide!
… Millions of children will be subjected to this highly manipulative video propaganda that normalizes global genocide. It is one thing to relish such grisly, psychotic thoughts as an adult, but to gleefully thrust them on young minds is unforgivable.
6) That when you’re doubting your ability to adequately perform the free labor the Witnesses require, you must have the courage to do it anyway!
I’m sure many in the convention audience will identify with Philip. Witness indoctrination creates a state of “learned helplessness” in which you become totally reliant on the organization; doubting your own abilities and fearful of what would happen to you if left to fend for yourself.
…
The amount of brainwashing that occurs in these cults is incredible. But maybe if the first exposure to these videos that JWs have is not through their annual conventions, but through people like Lloyd Evans, they’re get a chance to consider the suggestions from a critical perspective instead of having it spoon-fed to them by people in positions of power.

Read more at http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2018/02/12/these-jehovahs-witness-2018-be-courageous-propaganda-videos-are-disturbing/#d3lpcdAbUkv15KfY.99

And not a single orphan taken care of. But with their problems with pedophilia, maybe they should stay away from orphans.

My highly intelligent son (150 IQ and not one of those points came from me) read the same book at age 16.  It caused him to question, and reject, the organization; among many other things.
I get what you’re saying - I’m asking targeted questions, but also assuming what appears obvious to me.  And yes everything we come across we have to verify and then, trust.  The Wt. could be transparent about why they have bought the properties, since 8 million people helped foot the bill, but it is proven that is never the case.  I see this as just another exposed crack in the Watchtower’s white-washed wall. 
The rubber met the road for me a few years back.  I am purely confident in exposing their spiritual opaqueness. 
I do hope you come up with something.
 

I guess the best way to find out for sure if the GB live elsewhere, is to ask a “Bethelite”. 
I actually opened an account with “beenverified” to help you with this.  These are my findings of the properties the video listed:
51 Woods Rd is a property located in Tuxedo Park, NY. It has approximately 1,705 Sq Ft and has 6rooms. 51 Woods Rd. is owned by WATCHTOWER BIBLE & TRACT SOCIETY. It was last recorded in 2016, where the sales price was $390,000.
05/15/2014 - Ownership change from Gebert, Warren to Watchtower Bible & Tract Society
 
5 Sylvan Way is a property located in Tuxedo Park, NY. It has approximately 2,412 Sq Ft and has 7rooms. 15 Sylvan Way. is owned by WATCHTOWER BIBLE & TRACT SOCIETY. It was last recorded in 2016, where the sales price was $320,000.
10/10/2014 - Ownership change from Laurent, Arthur J & Elaine to Watchtower Bible & Tract Society
 
57 Cross Ridge Rd is a property located in Tuxedo Park, NY. It has approximately 1,200 Sq Ft and has 7rooms. 57 Cross Ridge Rd. is owned by WATCHTOWER BIBLE & TRACT SOCIETY. It was last recorded in 2016, where the sales price was $335,000.
03/06/2013 - Ownership change from Swartz, Michael & Patricia to Watchtower Bible & Tract Society
 
227 Ironwood Dr is a property located in Tuxedo Park, NY. . 227 Ironwood Dr. is owned by WATCHTOWER BIBLE & TRACT SOCIETY. It was last recorded in 2016, where the sales price was $2,400,000.
06/17/2014 - Ownership change from Sterling Forest Apts Llc to Watchtower Bible & Tract Society
 
Property #5 Route 72, did not come up since it is vacant land.
Can we rule out that the GB don’t live in these properties outside of Warwick, even if they are registered in the name of the Watchtower?  They were acquired after Watchtower bought property to build “Bethel” in 2009; obviously taking care of first things first.  If these places are not for the GB, then who are they for? Their lawyers?  If they were temporary dwellings while building got underway, why are they still owned by the Watchtower today?
 I did come up with Mark Stephen Lett in Tuxedo Park.  The only address was, 40 Kings Drive, which is an empty spot on the road leading into Warwick Headquarters – 1 Kings Drive.
“You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us—and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you!” 1 Cor 4:8
If you find anything, I would be interested to know. 
 
 
 
 
 
 

“And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Matt 8:20
"Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness,
his upper rooms by injustice,
making his own people work for nothing,
not paying them for their labor.
14 He says, ‘I will build myself a great palace
with spacious upper rooms.Â’
So he makes large windows in it,
panels it with cedar
and decorates it in red.
15 “Does it make you a king
to have more and more cedar?
Did not your father have food and drink?
He did what was right and just,
so all went well with him.
16 He defended the cause of the poor and needy,
and so all went well.
Is that not what it means to know me?”
declares the Lord.
17 “But your eyes and your heart
are set only on dishonest gain,
on shedding innocent blood
and on oppression and extortion.” Jer 22:13-17
 

I watched the video, and to be honest, if you were one of those people attending the convention where the second speaker was giving the address, you would be hard pressed not to get excited, and NOT look to the date 1975..
Of course, the friends who attended that convention were just some, out of the rest of the brotherhood and not all who attended the convention would have been convinced, just like not all are convinced about some ideas today (the overlapping generation ).
I am wondering if after this series of talks, the Slave realised they had taken it a bit too far. There must have been discussions by brothers who pointed out the scrioture which makes it clear the Bible gives no date (like the brother in the video of the last convention) so then when the idea reached the UK it was perhaps already more watered down..
My step dad sold his skis because he thought he wouldn't use them again, he was living in central Europe, but my mother living in the uk at the time doesn't even recall anything special going on, and neither do I. But I was only very young...

Did the vast majority of JWs come to the conclusion that 1975 was the date of Armageddon – on their own? 
How did these people come to the realization of the world ending, unless they were convinced that the leaders in control understood Bible chronology?   Consider global warming; whether you believe it or not, you are relying on the scientific experts to tell you what’s happening with the planet; but in this case it doesn’t affect your relationship with family and friends if you choose one side or the other.
Surely you see the confusion by individuals reading the various articles and references to the date, as well as hearing live talks -  all coming from “Jehovah’s organization” and his “mouthpiece”.   
There was a 14% growth in member in 1974.  Why?   I am sure you know why.
By 1976 the growth rate dropped to 4%. 
In 1977, it dropped further, -1%
“Expectation postponed” made their hearts so sick, that many realized the Watchtower was not an organization run by God. 
How do you dismiss scripture, Eoin?  How do you read God’s word that condemns false prophets and ignore it?  Was there ever an instance that God told the nation of Israel to tolerate it?  Think of the generations of JWs that have put up with false dates and changing doctrine; hanging on because the authority over them so thoroughly convinced them it was “Jehovah’s will”, that they remain faithful to the organization!
 “And the Lord said to me, “The prophets prophesy lies in My name. I have not sent them, commanded them, nor spoken to them; they prophesy to you a false vision, divination, a worthless thing, and the deceit of their heart. 15 Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the prophets who prophesy in My name, whom I did not send, and who say, ‘Sword and famine shall not be in this land’—‘By sword and famine those prophets shall be consumed! 16 And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword; they will have no one to bury them—them nor their wives, their sons nor their daughters—for I will pour their wickedness on them.’”  Jer 14:14-16
Isn’t this exactly what the organization teaches, that no sword or famine will come upon the Watchtower?  If we take all of this with a grain of salt, then we are blind to God’s righteous expectations to follow his Word closely.  Ezek 14:21; Rev chapter 6
It appears you are attempting to defend a sinking ship.  I truly pray you get off before its too late.
 

The idea that 1975 would witness the end of the world was first introduced in 1966.

IT'S AMAZING HOW YOU CAN TAKE THE WORDS "6,000 YEARS OF MANS EXISTENCE WILL END" AND MAKING IT END IN 1975 AND CONCLUDE THAT IT REALLY DIDN'T SAY THAT AT ALL.

“Nourishing Spiritual Food”? 
I cannot advocate the website listed at the end of this short video, as I haven’t gone there.  Also I do not see verification that the money from the sale of houses, properties and goods was given to the Watchtower at that time period.  But I will not dismiss the large possibility.  What is important about this video, is hearing how 1975 was truly proclaimed from the source; quite contrary to how the 2017 convention presented it: 
“…you see, back then, some were looking to a certain date as signifying the end of this old system of things. A few, even went so far as selling their homes and quitting their jobs. (km 5/1974)"
“But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.” 
 You may say in your heart, “How shall we know the word which Yahweh has not spoken?”  When a prophet speaks in Yahweh’s name, if the thing doesn’t follow, nor happen, that is the thing which Yahweh has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You shall not be afraid of him.              Deut 18:20-22
“This is what the LORD of Hosts says: "Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are making you worthless. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the LORD's mouth.”  Jer 23:16
“Behold, I am against the prophets, says Yahweh, who use their tongues, and say, He says. 32 Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams, says Yahweh, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their vain boasting: yet I didn’t send them, nor commanded them; neither do they profit this people at all, says Yahweh.”  Jer 23:31-32
If we claim to read God's Word and live by it, then God's Word should help us distinguish truth from lies.  Matt 3:10
 

Videos for bethelites to come out on the 27th. Stay tuned

Something else that stuck out when I watched the video the other day is, the sister who had major surgery, there was not one mention of if her health was ok, or if she needed any help with anything. The only talk was of lovingly punishing her as if she signed a contract.

These men claim to be leading God’s flock, following the Word of Christ.  Instead, they have thoroughly corrupted the teachings of Christ with their own precepts.  Is it any different that how the Pharisees ritualistically taught commandments of men and not of God?
He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:
‘This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
7 And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’
8 For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men —the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.”
9 He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.  Mark 7:6-9
…And in the Wt., it is the tradition and doctrine of rank in the organization.  There is no Bible basis for it.  
James 2:1-4 - “My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. 2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, 3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” 4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?”
Gal 1:10 - "Is it, in fact, men I am now trying to persuade or God? Or am I seeking to please men? If I were yet pleasing men, I would not be Christ’s slave.”
Isa 28:10 - For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept,
Line upon line, line upon line,
Here a little, there a little.”
1 Cor 4:6 –  “Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.”
2 Cor 1:24 – “Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand.”
Obviously, the elder body not only "think beyond what is written", but does have dominion over the faith of each JW.  They “mark” an individual as acceptable, or a failure, according to their own precepts.  Why, would anyone want to bring an individual into such captivity? 
How can it be called "the truth", when it is established on doctrine not found in God's Word; but rather, on hypocrisy?

Recently some secret “eldersÂ’ training videos” that are going to be used for the 2018 Kingdom Ministry School of JehovahÂ’s Witnesses were leaked online. One particular video was very disturbing; it showed a skit of three elders discussing what the religion calls “regular pioneers.” These are persons who spend a high amount of time in the preaching and proselytizing work of JehovahÂ’s Witnesses; in 2018, these pioneers were required to report a total of 840 hours for the year, equaling 70 hours per month.
The elders, in this demonstration, are discerning if three such pioneers in their congregation should be allowed to remain as pioneers, as each one has failed to meet that hourly requirement for the past year.

Despite this outright instruction to think of themselves as equals, Jehovah’s Witnesses and their elders dole out this position of pioneer, blatantly elevating it above other “publishers,” or congregation members. This is demonstrated when the men in the skit read a letter sent to all elders, dated May 1, 2017, which discusses how to handle various scenarios of pioneers who cannot meet their hours. The letter notes that a person could be considered an “infirm pioneer,” if they felt that removing the person from the pioneer ranks would be a “backward step” for them:

This point, that being a pioneer elevates you above the rest of the congregation, is emphasized again in that same letter, when it separates and divides the everyday congregants or publishers from these pioneers:

Obviously, to this woman and those whom she represents in this skit, the preaching work itself is not of importance; itÂ’s having a special title that says youÂ’re doing more than the next person thatÂ’s the real priority.
The elders sitting in a room, judging and critiquing pioneers or any congregation member without them present, about any subject, is disturbing enough. However, this video also demonstrates that pioneering is not about how effective you are in preaching and teaching, and it’s not about fulfilling any command given by Jesus, or about the people you might be helping. This title of pioneer is about just that; the title. It’s given to those who toe the company line and is taken away from those who are struggling, in order to elevate some above the congregation and then put others in their place. This harsh judging and critiquing of such ones shows that the preaching work of Jehovah’s Witnesses shouldn’t be called “field service,” but should just be called what it is; self-service.

The only reference for new light is at 2Corinthians 11:14. The watchtower has had a lot of new light in it's history.

Nice try, but with no real effect Nana
First of all the main point here is THE PATH and not the light! Path of some person (righteous one) can go in good direction only with help from higher Source (the light aka God and this LIGHT is NOT CHANGEABLE  as it is JW light of/on interpretations, This light is the same in all stages of the day - no shadows).
In this verses, here, wise man talking about humans path, not God's light. Humans evolution, spiritual progress in righteousness is in fokus. Not progress about doctrines of some religious system. It is about Your/mine personal progress and development  in love, justice, mercy, compassion and such things  -  not in type and antitype interpretations, not about prophecies meaning of some bible books, not about procedures on how to handle organizational issues of WT Company.  
Light is from the same source as in the morning and in the middle of the day and in the evening. In verbatim life, sunny light in the morning and in the evening are not sufficient for person to see things in full picture. So, these circle are repeating every single day. Does this mean that JW are living in periods, stages  of morning, day and evening light in circles??? Because literal light have all this stages as Proverbs gives us to conclude. Is it the same with JW spiritual light??  Is it the same with doctrines and interpretations of JWorg? 
What teaching of JWorg give us assurance that particular teachings are in stage of morning light, and what teachings are in stage of full daylight, and what teachings are now in stage of evening light??
In literal way, translated to you, and in fact asking you or other JW member; "What teaching will come in the future with morning light?? What teaching will stay whole day under full daylight? And what teaching will perished as daylight going down into the evening light or night (or darkness, hehe) ?   

Ruling oriented brothers, just example :))) by John Cedars source. 
 
 

Hmm! Ok. Let’s let’s pretend that you know exactly what Jesus thoughts were, by putting words into his mouth, and he didn’t consider the prophecies of the Old Testament. Do you believe in the Gentile Times as Jesus did? If so, where would you place this infamous 1260? You sight 33CE. Is this your starting point, *IF* you believe in Jesus words?

Romans 11:25

25I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not be conceited: A hardening in part has come to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. 26And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove godlessness from Jacob.

Luke 21:24

24They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations. And Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

Let's start keeping it short. There’s too much ignorance thrown in the mix by AlanF, with his attempts to look smart instead of the biggest fool.

Arauna wrote:
Your statements appear to be self-contradictory among various posts. Please set forth a clear timeline showing which king you think was appointed when, his years of reign, and so forth. Back up your timeline with solid source references. In particular, give source references for your claim that Darius "took the title in Nissan 538 BCE."
AlanF

Arauna wrote:
:: scientifically competent people
:: Unclear thinkers often spew out so many false or ridiculous ideas that debate, or even rational discussion, is impossible without clearing the field of the nonsense.
:: Keep in mind that Daniel had been made third ruler in Babylon by Belshazzar, with great fanfare (Dan. 5:29), and continued in a high position under Darius, so Daniel could well have known about Cyrus' coming Decree before it was officially announced. Daniel would then have communicated the news to his fellow captives, and it would have been spread among the Jews in Babylon very quickly.
Did I ever say that these notions constitute proof? No. What I've said or implied is that they constitute plausibility arguments that show why a scenario is possible. This is to contradict claims that the scenarios are impossible, made by Watch Tower apologists.
Of course -- unless Daniel or other officials decided to tell them.
Generally, of course. But when Cyrus' armies overthrew the city, and Belshazzar was killed, to whom would Daniel and his close associates owe loyalty? First and foremost, to Jehovah. And given the actual account of his praying to God shortly after Babylon's overthrow, he certainly was eager to see the prophecies fulfilled, and would naturally have expressed his eagerness to other Jews.
Pure speculation.
But my speculation is better than yours, nyah nyah nyah!
AlanF

The 70 years ended when Cyrus took the title of "King of Babylon, Sumer and Akkad and of the four corners of the world" on NEW YEARS DAY (12 day yearly festival) Nissan 538 BCE.
Cyrus started his campaign in September 539 BCE when he crossed the Tigris with the subsequent Battle of Opis. After this he went after Nabonidus who had fled to Sippar - who managed to get away again from Sippar.  Babylon fell next.  Later Nabonidus gave himself up at Babylon because he had no allies.
Cyrus issued his edict shortly after his crowning allowing the Jews and other nations to take their gods with them - to their home. 

Foreigner wrote:
So far so good.
Duh. The point is not about adding 70 to some date to go back 70 years, but what that 70 years means. Mommy Watch Tower claims it means 70 years of captivity and exile of the Jews, and total desolation of Judah. The Bible says it means 70 years of Babylonian supremacy over the Near East.
Nonsense. The Watch Tower's and C. T. Russell's notion of "the Gentile times" is unbiblical nonsense, based on a weak chain of speculation about various unrelated scriptures. JW Insider has shown that when one combines the references in Luke and Revelation to get something like "the Gentile times", one comes up with 1,260 years -- not 2,520 years. This is pretty much what John Aquila Brown came up with in his 1823 book.
More speculation contradicted by the Bible:
<< Jesus approached and spoke to them, saying: “All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth." >> -- Matt. 28:18
Yet the Watch Tower Society claims that Jesus was given MORE THAN "all authority" in 1914!
Pure gobble-de-goop.
AlanF

More incoherent gobble-de-goop.
AlanF