Little Joe

It sounds like what you want is democracy in your place of worship—theocracy by the people, as though ‘if the people come to believe it, it must mean that God has so influenced them.’ It doesn’t work that way. 
“All your people will be taught by Jehovah,“ the verse says. It does not say that they will be taught by themselves. Who needs God if we are to be taught by ourselves? The problems you encounter with those elders reflects that they buy into the former (taught by Jehovah) rather than the latter (taught by the people).
Plainly, there must be some interface between the divine and the human. Integral to the faith of Jehovah’s Witnesses is that that interface is the successor of those who brought the truth to us in the first place—whoever fills the shoes of the “older men in Jerusalem.” That doesn’t mean that each person is not responsible for his/her own relationship with God, but it does mean that each is not an island unto himself. 
I know where you are coming from on this, but it is overstated. One doesn’t have to believe every little thing, though to be sure, one is encouraged to. But you don’t have to. What you cannot do is grab the wheel of the bus. Most elders will take your remarks below as evidence that you are trying to do this:
The clear inference of these remarks is that you mean to tear the cover off this ‘faulty and maybe corrupt organization.’ Do you really think that you will be welcomed with open arms? Their entire faith is that Jehovah does not lead his people that way.
From the Reseach Guide commentary on Genesis 1:31–
“The fall from perfection explains why the human body, though marvelously designed, is susceptible to deformities and disease. Evolution is therefore incompatible with the Bible. Evolution presents modern man as an improving animal. The Bible presents modern man as the degenerating descendant of a perfect man.”
Because this is true, the “top-down” approach of the JW organization is what resonates with members. Yours smacks of the “bottom-up” approach, man as an “improving animal” developing powerful skills of thought to lift us all up by our own bootstraps.
@JW Insider says each Christian has an obligation to examine the foundation of his faith. This is true, but means of examination differ from person to person. For most people, the only examination one must make of their vehicle is to observe that it gets them from place to place, to bring it in for cursory inspection each year, and to accept the fact that, being imperfect, it will require maintenance and repair from time to time. There will be a few mechanically minded owners that will go the extra mile, tear down the engine to examine closely each component, and in doing so, might occasionally forestall a problem, but this is hardly something to be expected of the average person, even if they are the elders that you want to run your thoughts by.
I will concede that our elders might be prone at times to read ”false positives,” and it would be better if they didn’t. So? Doctors read and act upon false positives all the time and no one doubts their competency on that account. Today elders see direction on avoiding those who raise sects or divisions. (Titus 3:10, 2 Timothy 2:17, 1 Cor 1:10) and might at times overreact. Maybe they should rise to the occasion and “snatch from the fire those who have doubts.” Maybe. However the tone of your remarks indicate that you have more than doubts—you have assertions and conclusions that you want to debate with them. We are not a debating people. We are the type that waits to be taught by Jehovah.
I’m not thrilled about any number of things in the Witness organization. From time to time I drop one or two of them in this forum. I would prefer that some did feel inclined to discuss with you your points—at least until you became so insistent upon them that it became clear to both that your home lay elsewhere. Still, I keep things in perspective. The good of the JW organization far outweighs the bad. Regarding my pet peeves, I look around to see if there is anyone accomplishing the acts of faith that JWs do minus those peeves. (Please don’t come back with ‘acts of faith’ are not the important thing—or if you do, take it up with Luke for writing ‘Acts of the Apostles’ when he should have written ‘Faith of the Apostles.)  If there was, I would go there. But there is not—not even remotely close—so that I even begin to reassess my pet peeves. I am imperfect, too. Maybe if an organization was structured around my peeves, it would promptly implode. So I accept congregation policy and discipline—I may not even think it is right in every occasion and particular, but such is the nature of working with people. I’ve learned how to yield and how to cooperate. I try to get my head around them, rather than insisting that they get their head around me.
This strikes me as a remarkable lack of faith. Ought God not be able to unite people? Ought he not be able to get them to cooperate, and in so doing, magnify their acts of worship? Yet you stand as an island hailing ships passing by.
You thereby have no need of applying the above verses on avoiding divisions, for you stand by yoursef. You have no need to apply the countless verses as to how to get along, because you make no effort to get along. Where are the meetings of Hebrews 10:24 that you are not to forsake? Where is the “in” of Haggai 2:7 that the precious things of the nations are to come in to? You have no need, or even opportunity, of showing love for the brothers, since you have no brothers—you have separated from them—to God’s dishonor. Maybe he will provide a “true anointed” (essentially from scratch) within ten years.
Hypercritcal people, such as your words suggest you might be one of, are a nightmare in the congregation. They are constantly causing contentions over matters great and small. Yet, they are stumbled at the drop of a pin, and cause chaos in that way, too. The GB and elders work tirelessly to readjust such persons. But if they absolutely will not change, it is better in my view if they depart. They cause nothing but trouble.
They need to get their heads around, and more importantly, their hearts around, the huge forgiveness Jesus afforded Peter for failure at a critical time, and yet even after this, Peter failed in a colossal manner, buckling to peer pressure that even some schoolchildren would not buckle to—the matter of avoiding Gentile Christians when the Jewish Christians came calling (stumbling even Barnabas)—and yet he continued to serve as a pillar of the congregation.
It’s no good to be an island. The time for such passed long ago. Will your theme text be that of Paul Simon?
I've built walls
A fortress deep and mighty
That none may penetrate
I have no need of friendship, friendship causes pain
It's laughter and it's loving I disdain
I am a rock
I am an island Don't talk of love
But I've heard the words before
It's sleeping in my memory
I won't disturb the slumber of feelings that have died
If I never loved I never would have cried
I am a rock
I am an island.

Excellent!

@Anna  said  "Oh really? Well they are not holding mine, and I am sure I am not the only one whose hand they're not holding."
Oh dear. You can see the words that i made bold. 'an elder' 'telling us how to think'. But dear Anna choose to pick the word she wants to play with.  Elders telling congregants how to think goes along with that first scripture about being obedient and submissive or in fact being domineered and giving in under pressure. 
This can be applied to talks given in KH or at Assemblies. Congregants are expected to take all of it as being 'from God' and therefore being expected to submit to every bit of it.  To the point, and unfortunately I can't quote perfectly but, something about congregants being obedient even if the order given seems unreasonable. 
There we are Anna, I've just done to you as you did to me. I think it's called dissecting a conversation. 
Have a good day. 
 

Are you saying this scripture is wrong?
@Anna  I think you know what I said, but I will repeat it. THE SCRIPTURE IS MISUSED. 
Anyone could use it. The Pope or an Archbishop. The scripture itself is not wrong, it is the use of the scripture by those not having authority from God or Christ. That includes the GB and Elders. 
A well known example of this is obviously the Elders telling victims of Child Sexual Abuse, NOT to go to the police or authorities 'because it would bring shame on God's name and the Org'. 
We could also show the misuse of this scripture, as at the time the congregation of JWs were told that the early 1970's was going to be Armageddon and they were told to be ready and to step up the preaching work. So congregants were obedient and submissive and sold their homes and left their jobs and preached full time. And then ................. oh dear. 
The opposite of submissive is domineering which seems suitable for the GB and the Elders.
And the Greek word that is translated 'submissive', in the Interlinear is actually 'yielding'. And yielding means 'giving way under pressure'.  
So the GB / JW Org use that scripture to show congregants how to :- 'give way under pressure' to a domineering GB and their Elders.  
Now I hope that explains it clearly enough for you. 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Quote @Anna  Ahh, the faults of the GB. Well this too has been brought out many times, that faults and mistakes will will happen, just as they did with Jesus’ disciples.
Did Jesus or the disciples ever put a date on a prophecy and then it didn't take place ? 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote @Anna  Matthew 18:15-17 "  “Moreover, if your brother commits a sin, go and reveal his fault* between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.16  But if he does not listen, take along with you one or two more, so that on the testimony* of two or three witnesses every matter* may be established.17  If he does not listen* to them, speak to the congregation. If he does not listen* even to the congregation, let him be to you just as a man of the nations and as a tax collector"
So when exactly do the Elders 'speak to the congregation' and when does the wrongdoer get to listen to the congregation ? 
Matt 18 v 17 If he does not listen* to them, speak to the congregation. If he does not listen* even to the congregation ........... 
The Elders form a committee and things are dealt with 'behind closed doors'. Now according to the Matthew scripture that is going against the things written, because it clearly states to take matters to the congregation, and, to let the wrong doer have conversation with the congregation over the matter. 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

@Arauna And a base for so many erroneous WT teachings is the belief that 1914 was a start for many prophecies about the end time, including all what consern time times and half a time. That in turn affect the beasts described in Daniel and Revelation and what really the mark of the beast represent? Those prophecies are very important to understand correctly. And better not to affirm something as  absolute truth if it it is not yet fully clear. 
For example I can not believe  WT teachings about:
Babylon the Great, the image of the beast, the beast with seven heads in Revelation 13, the two withesses, the mark of the beast, woman and her flight to the wildernes, the disgusting thing and so on. 
 
 
 
 

@TrueTomHarley No, I am not saying that I know all the answers. But the problem with churches and WT organization is that you can not even present a different view point without disiplinary measures. Within Jehovah's witnesses it includes all baptised members. In other chrches it might only include ministers. But probably you would be expelled if you started to speak against trinity from most of the church meetings.
Such harsh treatment can not be christian. It is very hypocritical that WT organization says it bases all their doctrines on the Bible and are reasonable and open to new light. And when some member has found something in the Bible contrary to the WT explanations, then we are denied to even discuss our findings even with elders. If we would be wrong they should be able to logically explain using the Bible if we are mistaken. When I told the elders that I have found some flaws in the WT explanations on Biblical doctrines the elders refused to even look at what I had found. That smells bad. It can only mean that they do not have counter arguments to many questions. If they are not sure about what is the truth, why then require total acceptance of those doctrines? That is stupid. 
I am for what I believe to be true and I want to share that. And you are wellcome to examine my arguments and come with biblical counterarguments. That is how the true knowledge will increase.
 
@Arauna I meant what apostle Paul shortly told the Athenians at that particular occasion.
Acts17:30 True, God has overlooked the times of such ignorance;+ but now he is declaring to all people everywhere that they should repent. 31  Because he has set a day on which he purposes to judge+ the inhabited earth in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and he has provided a guarantee to all men by resurrecting him from the dead.”
And that is the central message all churches preach. On that occasion Paul did not get into any other biblical doctrines. 

"Conquering" involves battle:
" And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. 6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation."  Rev 13:5-7
War using blasphemy - "slander, detraction, speech injurious, to another's good name"
Such as, "honor" the elders, do not give "honor" to the anointed.  They cannot join together and study as a united group.  Can't you see? Such slander is needed to preserve the wicked slave's power and the organization/idol she currently "rides".  Rev 17:3-6
And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty."  Rev 16:13,14
Those "kings" belong to Christ!  Rev 1:5,6
 

The Mark of the Beast of Rev 13:18 is the application of a physical, emotional and spiritual identification of serving and submitting oneself to the Wild Beast; to its mission, teachings by a false prophet that it directs (Beast from the Earth, Rev 13:11,12)  and allowance of its controlling power over an individual. This servitude begins with baptism in the organization; it continues through submission to its philosophies and expectations of only “buying and selling” spiritual “food” that it offers – no matter the quality.  Matt 12:34,35; Rev 13:16,17
This mark contradicts the identifying mark we should be bearing:
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”  Deut 4:5-8
Hopefully, you see the difference.  We can’t profess to symbolically tie God’s commandments on our hands and foreheads, and also follow the commands and doctrines of men that have been proven to be wrong.  This is idolatry.  
The “two witnesses” of Rev 11:3, reject the “mark of the Beast” and are “killed” for doing so. Rev 11:7 They come off “victorious”.  These are the symbolic “two” (meaning truth) anointed witnesses who stand with Christ.  (Zech 4) We cannot be considered victorious about anything, unless we conquer it.
 In your physical view that the UN/nations is the Beast, you would have to accept that a literal death would occur to the literal two anointed ones who had at one point accepted the “mark” of the Beast (which some believe is also literal), and then be physically killed later, for rejecting it.  This is nonsense.
 
“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”  Rev 3:15-22
 Jesus doesn’t offer us material riches, but the riches of Truth and Life.  Those who are wretched and poor, are buying their spiritual food from a false prophet and the organization it directs -  the two Beasts of Revelation.  JWs are content to rely on the Beasts to feed them, instead of Christ. Although they believe they serve only God, and bear His mark, they bear the “mark” of those whom they wholeheartedly support, the earthly endeavors of men and their doctrine.   Matt 6:24; 2 Tim 4:3,4
To prove that the Beast of Revelation 13:1,2 is the Watchtower and houses JWs, Revelation 15 reveals the victorious ones, who were sensible enough to accept Christ’s discipline and his “gold”,  and remove the “mark of the Beast”:
I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues—last, because with them God’s wrath is completed. 2 And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name. They held harps given them by God 3 and sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb:
“Great and marvelous are your deeds,
    Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways,
    King of the nations.
4 Who will not fear you, Lord,
    and bring glory to your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
    and worship before you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.”  Rev 15:1-4
 
All who remove the “mark of the Beast” and turn to Christ, fully accepting his discipline and his truth, bearing only God’s commandments on their forehead and on their hands, profess the True God and the Lamb, as our salvation.
They reject idolatry:
Kingdom Ministry 11/1990 p. 1  Directing Bible Students to Jehovah’s Organization 
"Bible students need to get acquainted with the organization of the “one flock” Jesus spoke about at John 10:16. They must appreciate that identifying themselves with Jehovah’s organization is essential to their salvation. (Rev. 7:9, 10, 15) Therefore, we should start directing our Bible students to the organization as soon as a Bible study is established."  
 
 
 
 http://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2013/05/a-letter-i-received-hi-sister-pearl-i.html

No - they do not. Here is something to think about: we do not believe humans have an immortal soul.
Most churches believe in the immortality of the soul. The bible says "the ' soul' that sinneth it shall die" ezekiel 18:4. The prophecy about Jesus's death in Isaiah 53 ( last verses) indicates jesus would put his "soul" in death.  He was mortal.
Jesus received 'immortality' from his father as a reward for obedience until death. The bible promises immortality and incorruptability to those who are baptized in the death of Jesus. They do not have immortality BEFORE they die. There is a difference between living forever and immortality. 
Satan was mortal - when he sinned God said he would destroy him in future.  He will never exist again. Adam was mortal but would have lived forever if he obeyed God. Adam's everlasting life depended on his obedience to jehovah.
This is huge difference between JWs and all other cristian denominations because churches talk about the randsom sacrifice but do not accept that Jesus really died- that he did not exist for three days. His father Jehovah (who is immortal and cannot die) restored Jesus' life to him after three days and gave him his own source of life - immortality.
They (christian churches) tell you Jesus died ....but in same breath say he was immortal before his death. They say he was God.  They believe all people have a soul that goes out when the person dies and goes directly fo heaven or hell.....but why would God bring someone back from heaven to be resurrected...... when this does not fit in with what the bible teaches in other places?
If one does not exercise faith in the randsom sacrifice then one cannot be saved. It is crucial to understand the randsom...properly....... So what does the bible say about the soul?
Eccl 3:19 & 20 says that people die like an animal - we go to dust and do not exist any longer in any form until the (father - which means life-giver) resurrects us.
Eccl 9:5 & 10 indicates the dead cannot think or do anything in death. No knowledge, planning nor wisdom.
God made Adam from dust. Adam could not think before he became a living soul  - dust cannot think.  God blew life into him and he became a living soul  Gen 2: 7  After his sin, God said he would go back to dust - the same condition he was in before he was created. Gen 3: 19.
So this is why JWs study this and related subjects in depth.... as a people we have lots of faults but we teach the truth about "what the bible really says".
 
Just an added thought:  Christian genocide is going on in middle east and north Africa.  The press is not writing about the Muslim killings.  These Christian's are dying like flies. I believe God will give them resurrection because death is a payment for sin; and, despite having little knowledge of jehovah and Jesus they have proved their loyalty.  They are some of the 'unrighteous ' who will get a resurrection in future and be taught the truth about jehovah 
Acts 24:15
"And I have hope toward God, which hope these men also look forward to, that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous"
 

Well, you had better get ready for every JW to be taken captive by the United Nations/Beast. Rev 13:10  They will be “captured” by the “empty philosophy” of  the UN and its religious conglomerate.  Col 2:8 
In your world, that coalition of nations will target and “blaspheme” the Temple/anointed priests, (Rev 13:5)  somehow singling them out of 8 million people,  to “make war” with them. Dan 8:24,11; Rev 13:6   The "saints" will be conquered. Rev 13:7   Yet, before that happens, all JWs will “worship” the United Nations, willingly bearing its mark. Rev 13:16,17 They will say, “Who is like the United Nations, who can fight a war with it?”  Rev 13:4  As you now see, there is a developing cry of “peace and security” by the dual Beasts. It endeavors to proclaim "peace and security" for all who receive its mark.  1 Thess 5:3 
Since you see things literally, some JWs under its captivity will then stand up to this UN Beast,  and will be physically killed for speaking out against the dual rulership of a false prophet and Beast organization over them. Rev 13:1,2,11,12  Yes, if they reject the identifying mark of the UN Beast, they are killed.   Yet, many JWs will choose to remain with the UN Beast.  Rev 14:9-10; 16:2 
Can you see THIS coming?  This is the only way it can play out in your literal world.  Can you also tell me how the UN  will become “spirit-directed”? Rev 13:15 
No other organization touts to be spirit-directed (“spirit breathed”), but the Watchtower. Rev 13:15
Satan is making his obvious display of prophetic fulfillment in the world, but in the hand he holds behind his back, is the threat that God’s people are already under.  JWs believe they reside in "peace and security".  Your leaders have even written a book about it.  

@TrueTomHarley There is one thing the world should know that Jesus will return to judge the world and that he has died for our sins. So it is good that all the Chinese get to know it when there are so few JWs. So logically other churches fulfill a purpose despite differences in how they understand scriptures. The same with WT. There are tens of doctines that are falls. But all churches including WT have futhered the spreading of God's word the Bible and at least som basic knowledge about Jesus. As Jesus said weeds mixed with wheat.
But I will not join any church. I can not stand false teachings. I would prefer if people would listen to what I teach based on God's word.

Go there. If that’s all it takes for you, go there. 
If you discern no difference whatsoever in how Jehovah’s Witnesses and those churches present Jesus, then you should go there. It’s easier, if for no other reason than you (usually) will not need to dress up.
I am assuming that you are up-to-speed on the threads here and haven’t just wandered in off the street with no background knowledge. Should the latter be the case, try the online Bible studies on the home page of JW.org, where you will find basic understandings of Jesus, what he represented, and what he taught, that are poles apart from what may be found in the churches.
There is a huge difference. But if, after having worked through those study sessions, you don’t agree, then pick the church with the biggest sign—sometimes they play cool music—and go there.
 

@Arauna 
Many churches are preaching a such message as did apostle Paul.
Acts17:30 True, God has overlooked the times of such ignorance;+ but now he is declaring to all people everywhere that they should repent. 31  Because he has set a day on which he purposes to judge+ the inhabited earth in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and he has provided a guarantee to all men by resurrecting him from the dead.”
So when the sign of the Son of Man appears on the sky people will know that it is Jesus comming. 
So it seems that also churches of so called Christendom are fulfilling Matthew 24:14. And the wheat and the weeds should remain mixed until the end. So Jehovah's witnesses should not be so sure about their leadership. Better would be to "make sure of all things" as we all tried to do before baptism.

If It is really painted in a negative light he would never allow one of his kings to ignore his will and receive many blessings...
"Wives and concubines" is a pseudonym for sex slaves.
Just like he "tolerated" slavery.

I am presently on a road trip, camping in parts of the western states of the U.S.  I guess it could be called a therapeutic getaway for my husband, who will make some serious medical decisions next month.   Way out west, that could mean long stretches before finding a cell signal, but this campsite has internet and if my computer battery holds out, I may have a chance to get this posted.
I happened to speak briefly to three JW women who had set up their cart and table in a national park.  It was a frigid morning after a snowfall, the temperature inching from a bright and early 6 degrees above zero, toward 20 degrees in the sunshine.  After a pleasant interchange, I mentioned 1 Cor 3:16,17 and that through my studies I have learned that the anointed were the “living stones” of the Temple of God. (1 Pet 2:5,9)   I then cited 2 Thess 2:3,4, and asked if they had considered how the “man of lawlessness” in the last days, would “sit”/rule over the temple – over the anointed ones.  One JW reached for her computer pad to do a bit of research.  She admitted it would be through a composite entity, but couldn’t give me an identity. 
Yes, I did tell her that the man of lawlessness is the elder body, who has been given authority to judge God’s “special possession” as unworthy of receiving eternal life. (Rev 11:1,2; 13: 5-7,15) Immediately, I am told, “Jehovah is the ultimate judge”, despite the judgment of a spiritual “death” made by the elder body when one rejects the organization, or exposes its leaders’ lies.   (Matt 10:17,18; John 16:2; Rev 13:15)  I have noticed that it seems to be a common phrase among JWs that God is the judge, while they forget that Jesus has been given authority to judge.  Elders, not anointed, have no authority to do so. (John 8:51; 2 Cor 5:10; Rom 14:4) 
 As we spoke a bit more, I was thinking how very depressing it is to see their devotion to the organization and their full blindness to the role of God’s priesthood. (Rom 1:25; Rev 13:4) (Mal 2:7) The organization’s false doctrines, have a common thread that can’t be dismissed if one cares to scrutinize them.  They all weave together to minimize and suppress the identity and role of the anointed. When I asked the JWs who they believed should be the shepherds of the congregations, the elders or the anointed ones, the answer was most definitely, the elders.   I reminded them of the time Jesus appeared to his disciples after his resurrection.  He called to them from the shore when they were fishing on the Sea of Tiberias.  He miraculously filled their nets with fish after catching none during the night.  When they arrived on shore, he had prepared a breakfast of fish and bread.  Three times Jesus told Simon Peter to “tend my sheep”, “feed my sheep”. (John 21:1-19; 1 Pet 5:2-4) With Christ as the chief cornerstone of God’s Temple, and the apostles and prophets as its foundation, the additional anointed “living stones” over the years, have been given the same assignment as Simon Peter and the others received that day, to feed Christ’s sheep.  Eph 2:19-22 
The JWs just shook their heads and silently scoffed.  Revelation’s Beasts have successfully “trampled” any evidence of the important role of God’s priests, before the eyes of those who love the organization. (Dan 11:31,32,36; Matt 24:15,16)  They believe the anointed will not act as God’s priests and kings until a future time…once sealed and joining the “144,000” in heaven. This is another false doctrine, according to God’s word.  2 Cor 1:22; Eph 1:13; Heb 12:22; Rev 5:9,10)
As Dan 11:36 states, and with the help of a false prophet (Rev 13:11,12), the “man of lawlessness”/Beast from the Sea has done…
“…exactly as he pleases, claiming to be greater than every god there is, even blaspheming the God of gods, and prospering…” 
I think all of us are aware of just how easy it is to be captivated by lies.  We are also aware that believing in lies can result in one’s slavery to them. (Rom 6:16)  When we are taken “captive” by lies, it facilitates oppression born from a belief of what we erroneously accept as truth. (Col 2:8; 2 Thess 2:9,10; Rev 13:10) Our heart becomes hardened to any possibility of an alternative understanding of God’s word.  (Mark 8:17; Heb 4:7) 
The conversation quickly concluded, and I walked away from these three lovely women, who were vocally content and at peace with their belief, that the layout of headship grafted on paper depicting their earthly organization, is correct. (1 Thess 5:3) It begins with “Jehovah”, to Jesus, the elders, and the rest of its members. God’s priests remain anonymous; scattered among them, and at the same time “surrounded” and held fast by demonic expressions used against them. (Jer 23:2; 50:17; Rev 16:13,14; 20:7-9) 
Through the coming of “Elijah” sent by Christ (Matt 17:11), the words that Jesus read from Isa 61:1,2 apply again today:
The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me
to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to set free the oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
20 He then rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. And the eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today as you listen, this Scripture has been fulfilled.”  Luke 4:18-21
Yes, it has been fulfilled, a second time for those hearts that long for freedom from oppression and lies.   
 
For consideration:
“Who are the gods?”
“Two Witnesses/”Elijah” and “Moses”
“Elijah Turns Hearts”
Pearl Doxsey, 4womaninthewilderness blogspot
 
 

Always the OCD.  You want to rule and teach right now do you?   A woman?  You do not want to wait until the time for this comes?   You conveniently forget that arrogantly pushing ahead is a sin?  
You never explain what is the role of elders!   Because you feel that you should be doing their job and they are oppressing you - the true anointed who is higher than they are ?
We all know that Jesus was "appointed"  as judge - so in effect jehovah is judging.
Throughout the 2 millenia there have been anointed but it is only in connection with the "presence"  in last days that a slave is mentioned. 

Well a woman can be disfellowshipped for being raped, so this is no surprise.

JW Insider, is a JW now. Think hard Mr Harley. If you were giving such information would you not  try to top it off with a positive note on the end ?  JW Insider gave FACTS, then gave his opinion. I believe his FACTS, I will take note of his opinion. 
I have known enough Elders in enough UK congregations to form my own opinion of their 'experience' or capabilities. The life time of an Elder isn't that long you know. They seem to become Elders at around 30 years old and die at around 70, but they loose their marbles at around 55 / 60. Then it's new ones that have to learn it all.  
Oh and did you take note of Mr Rook's comments too ? Or did you overlook that one ?   

Thank you all for your replies.  It is most strange to see the contrast though. 
Quote @TrueTomHarley "There is some piece of information not supplied. What it is I have no idea. But one would not be disfellowshipped for leaving one’s husband, whether he was violent or not."
Quote @JW Insider "Basically, she was disfellowshipped for defying the counsel of the elders, who were "only trying to avoid bringing reproach on the congregation." (To her they accused her of "bringing reproach on the marriage bed.") The circuit overseer agreed with them, and she remained df'd for a while."
Quote @James Thomas Rook Jr. " I am a Barbarian, and my record is better than theirs for understanding what scriptures really mean, as their understanding is policy and agenda driven, and they can enforce under penalty of disfellowshipping any crazy nonsense a normal person would immediately see as nonsense."   (I have put as bold to highlight the point).
So what we have here is, one JW saying how it should be, 'by the JW rule book'. And two JWs saying how it really is. Boots on the ground / Real life happenings. 
There is a man who uses the name @Space Merchant that often talks of how the JW Org is 'managed'. He tends to think that the JW Org operates 'by the book'. Whether that be by God's book or by their own JW handbook. 
But what are we seeing here ? We know that God and His son Jesus Christ are full of love and mercy, and they want the best for as many humans as possible, as long as those humans obey God's rules and show love to God and to neighbour. 
So where is this 'force for evil' coming from ? Is it the GB making the rules that are wrong ?  Is it the Elders in the congregations that are wrong ? Is it the Circuit Overseers that are wrong ? 
The point is, there is no love or mercy for the victims there.  There is only this idea of 'Cleaning the outside of the dish, but leaving the inside dirty'. The idea of protecting the name of JW Org. It in no way protects God's name, because God does not need His name protected. God cannot be made 'unclean' because He is perfect and righteous. 
However there is a danger to face. IF people inside and/or outside JW Org, believe Mr Harley's thinking, then the blame will always be put on the Victims. The Elders and Ministerial Servants will always get away with committing sins against God and Christ, and causing suffering to many people in many ways. 
@Srecko Sostar I like your suggestion. i think it would be in line with 'caring for widows and orphans'. But as you say it may encourage 'misuse'. 
(Sorry for big writing, it happened after third quote. But it did change back to smaller writing again, on it's own  )
 

Entirely believable, JWI, as I have seen stuff like that and worse ....
I am a Barbarian, and my record is better than theirs for understanding what scriptures really mean, as their understanding is policy and agenda driven, and they can enforce under penalty of disfellowshipping any crazy nonsense a normal person would immediately see as nonsense.
 

I believe I have already related the case of my own sister, 5 years younger than me, who was disfellowshipped for leaving a violent husband. He was a ministerial servant when I was at Bethel, and he hit her fairly often. She went to my father (an elder) who gave her the usual counsel about more study, more prayer, more field service. This was frustrating to her because she was already a full time pioneer and praying more than ever.
Her breaking point came when elders, including my father, told her she couldn't go to the hospital because they might ask her how it happened and this would bring reproach on Jehovah's organization. And she couldn't lie. She was told she should hide her bruises and cuts as well as she could. All the while he remained a ministerial servant. I called him from Bethel and threatened to beat him up if he laid a hand on my sister again. I expected a meeting with elders who would want to talk with me after I made a violent threat, but nothing came of it.
Long story short, my sister had her meeting with the elders, and she wanted to separate from her husband. Although this should have been allowed the elders were still adamant that this, too, would bring reproach. She insisted she would ignore their counsel, and that she would even try to get a divorce, so they formed a judicial committee from which my father had to recuse himself. She had not asked for a divorce, but this would be considered both unscriptural and bring additional reproach. In her mind, she should obtain a divorce, even if she wasn't thinking about remarriage. As long as she didn't commit adultery or remarry, (which would be the same as adultery) she thought a divorce was a stronger, more legally binding version of a separation, which would have been allowed (or at least should have been allowed).
Basically, she was disfellowshipped for defying the counsel of the elders, who were "only trying to avoid bringing reproach on the congregation." (To her they accused her of "bringing reproach on the marriage bed.") The circuit overseer agreed with them, and she remained df'd for a while. The circuit overseer also had her husband lose his "status" as a ministerial servant, and I think this lasted more than a year before he was reappointed, and later became an elder.
This was around 1978, when most elders had little experience, and there was a lot of patriarchal dominance in some of the midwest congregations like this one. Also, my sister was not really made aware of any appeal process. Now the information about the appeal is part of the process. Training in such matters is a little different today, and I certainly do not think this would happen again in any congregations I know about.

https://www.therockymountaingoat.com/2019/12/new-shelter-for-women-children-in-valemount/
 
New shelter for women, children in Valemount
It marked almost 20 years to the day that she fled her husband with a year and a half old child, pregnant with a second child. For leaving, she was excommunicated from her Jehovah Witness church and no longer allowed contact with her family.
“I was not only on my own with two babies, but I had no family support,” she said. “If it wasn’t for community, I would have been lost.”
Thoughts on this please.
I have read that women have been told to return to their husbands even if the husbands are violent. Does anyone have any personal experience of this happening to ones close to them ?