MankeptforRacialsecretratters

"Worship is an act of religious devotion usually directed towards a deity. It may involve one or more of activities such as veneration, adoration, praise, and praying. For many, worship is not about an emotion, it is more about a recognition of a God or gods." Wikipedia
 
The manner of "worship" of the governing body is similar to what happens in Shinto religion...
 
From "Mankind's Search for God" chapter 8
 
"10. What is of vital importance to Shintoists?
 
What, then, is of vital importance to Shintoists? “Originally,” says a book on Japanese culture, “Shinto considered acts that promoted the harmony and livelihood of a small community as ‘good’ and those that hindered such as ‘bad.’” Harmony with gods, nature, and the community was considered to be of superlative value. Anything that disrupted the peaceful harmony of the community was bad regardless of its moral value.
 
11. What role do festivals play in Shinto worship and daily life?
 
Since Shinto has no formal doctrine or teaching, its way of promoting the harmony of the community is through rituals and festivals. “What is most important in Shintoism,” explains the encyclopedia Nihon Shukyo Jiten, “is whether we celebrate festivals or not.” (See box, page 193.) Feasting together at festivals around ancestral gods contributed to a cooperative spirit among people in the rice-growing community. Major festivals were and still are related to rice cultivation. In the spring, village people call upon the “god of the paddies” to come down to their village, and they pray for a good crop. In the fall, they thank their gods for the harvest. During festivals, they carry their gods around on a mikoshi, or portable shrine, and have communion of rice wine (sake) and food with the gods.
 
12. What kind of purification rites are performed in Shinto, and for what purpose?
 
To be in union with the gods, however, Shintoists believe that they must be cleansed and purified from all their moral impurity and sin. This is where rituals come in. There are two ways to purify a person or an object. One is oharai and the other is misogi. In oharai, a Shinto priest swings a branch of the evergreen sakaki tree with paper or flax tied to its tip to purify an item or a person, whereas in misogi, water is used. These purification rituals are so vital to the Shinto religion that one Japanese authority states: “It may safely be said that without these rituals, Shinto cannot stand [as a religion].”
 
The organization claims that Russell and Rutherford and other past "leaders" are now immortal spirits in heaven, likely assisting the organization on earth.
 
(In contrast, the Bible shows that at present the only person who has been resurrected to heaven is Jesus.)
 
There is a form of reverence for those "departed ancestors" which is manifested in the publications produced by the org.
 
Anyone who is not in harmony with the traditions of the org is considered "bad". The traditions of meetings/ministry/service/Bethel/convention/Memorial/elders are considered more important than substance of following Christ every day.
 
If you listen to the prayers at a meeting/convention, the comments during a meeting or the teaching from a talk, you will hear many phrases of adulation and praise for "the Faithful and Discreet Slave" or "the Governing Body" or something similar, rather than praise for Jehovah. You will hear reference to "the Watchtower says" and "the Insight book says" and "Brother so-and-so says" instead of "It is written in God's Word" or "Jehovah says".
 
Even the words of the songbook have phrases praising the elders and "the Faithful Steward". It's sickening how the flock has been imbibing these poisoned waters.
 
Jesus warned that such idolatrous teachings would creep into the congregation and still be in existence when he arrives...
 
“‘Nevertheless, I have a few things against you, that you have there those adhering to the teaching of Baʹlaam, who taught Baʹlak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality.  In the same way, you also have those adhering to the teaching of the sect of Nic·o·laʹus.  So repent. If you do not, I am coming to you quickly, and I will war against them with the long sword of my mouth."
 
"‘Nevertheless, I do hold this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezʹe·bel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and misleads my slaves to commit sexual immorality and to eat things sacrificed to idols.  And I gave her time to repent, but she is not willing to repent of her sexual immorality.  Look! I am about to throw her into a sickbed, and those committing adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds.  And I will kill her children with deadly plague, so that all the congregations will know that I am the one who searches the innermost thoughts and hearts, and I will give to you individually according to your deeds."
 
(Revelation 2:14-16, 20-23)
 
The GB/Bethel/elderworship teachings are a form of idolatry. When the GB/Bethel/elders cut out people who adhere to the Bible the GB/Bethel/elders are acting like Jezebel, who used her authority to cut off God's faithful servants. When the GB/Bethel/elders use their authority to lord it over the flock and gain prominence or worship for themself or free room and board they are acting like Balaam, who served for profit. (Paul ordered the people to not pay for ministers, to not have those who take advantage of the flock in that way. Paul said they should work for what they eat. The Bethel arrangement is an abomination to God.) 
 
Jesus is coming to remove all false teachings and those who will not repent of practicing them. Jesus did not start ruling in 1914. When gets in power in the kingdom, everyone will know, because he'll throw Satan out of heaven, the UN will attack religion, the UN will be the world power for 3 1/2 years (it's the toe part of the Daniel dream image. That part hasn't happened yet. We're not in "the last of the last of the last days"...) There are still over 3 1/2 years to go in this system.

It seems you've already given your opinion.

"Partake" is different than "benefit from".  When I used the word "partake" I meant partaking of the emblems at the Memorial meal.
 
The other sheep will be blessed by it. They are the ones who inherit everything.
 
Abraham gave up his son figuratively but gained him back.
 
Jehovah gave up Jesus temporarily but gained him back.
 
The 144,000 give up the ability to have children via procreation but gain the children back by means of the figurative "wedding" to Christ.
 
Jehovah did not allow himself to be permanently separated from His firstborn son. Jehovah takes the lead in all things. He doesn't ask us to do anything that He wouldn't do himself. He will not separate families by making some go to heaven and some stay on earth and never interact or hang out. That would be hell. Jehovah doesn't do "hell". Satan tries to mislead people so they'll hate Jehovah. Satan is a liar. When the GB teaches that Jesus and the anointed and the angels will not come down and interact on earth during the Paradise, the GB is not telling the truth.
 
Heaven is close to earth. All things are possible with God. 
 
The anointed and Christ will be here on earth. So will Jehovah. We've already talked about this on other threads, but we can again if you like the topic. I like that topic. 🥰
 
 

The figurative "city" on earth in Ezekiel...
 
Ezekiel 48:35
 
"And the name of the city from that day on will be Jehovah Is There."
 
It's not just figurative when God wipes the tears away...
 
Revelation 7:17
 
"because the Lamb, who is in the midst of the throne, will shepherd them and will guide them to springs of waters of life. And God will wipe out every tear from their eyes.”
 
Revelation 21:3-5
 
"“Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them.  And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” And the One seated on the throne said: “Look! I am making all things new.” Also he says: “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”"
 
Jehovah said He is coming to the earth...
 
Revelation 1:8
 
"I am the Alʹpha and the O·meʹga,” says Jehovah God, “the One who is and who was and who is coming, the Almighty.”
 
Jesus said everybody would see him, not just the ones whose abode is in heaven...
 
Revelation 1:7
 
"Look! He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, and those who pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in grief because of him. Yes, Amen."
 
Hundreds of people saw Jesus after he was resurrected, before he ascended to heaven. Jesus materialized a body. Paul said that the anointed ones would be resurrected in the same way. They will have a spirit body, but they will be able to materialize a physical body. Just like Jesus visited and ate with and talked with the disciples after he was resurrected, so the anointed will do the same.
 
Romans 6:5
 
"If we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will certainly also be united with him in the likeness of his resurrection."
 
John warned about those who teach that Jesus did not come in the flesh.
 
2 John 7
 
"For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those not acknowledging Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist."
 
1 John 4:2
 
"This is how you know that the inspired statement is from God: Every inspired statement that acknowledges Jesus Christ as having come in the flesh originates with God."
 
Jesus was born as a man. He came "in the flesh" in that way. But he also materialized a body made of flesh after he was resurrected.
 
All things are possible with God.
 
Genesis 3:8
 
"Jehovah God as he was walking in the garden"
 
"the day, and the man and his wife hid from the face of Jehovah God"
 
Jehovah God will walk with his kids in the garden again.
 
Ezekiel 48:35
 
"And the name of the city from that day on will be Jehovah Is There."
 
A good administrator isn't far away. A good general isn't far away. A good leader is right in the midst of the people. The kingdoms of the world are set up the opposite of Jehovah's way. Jehovah will be in the midst of His people. Jesus will be here. The anointed will be here. With materialized bodies.
 
Ephesians 1:8-10
 
"This undeserved kindness he caused to abound toward us in all wisdom and understanding  by making known to us the sacred secret of his will. It is according to his good pleasure that he himself purposed  for an administration at the full limit of the appointed times, to gather all things together in the Christ, the things in the heavens and the things on the earth."

What is the behalf, value of spiritual food in 1078 languages when that food is subject to constant changes and contradictions and manipulations to make it look like everything is arranged properly, "to fit" as Mr David Splane said, when it is not.
What nonsense is this when a GB member says, and a WT magazine writes, that Jesus did not promise  perfect food? It shows that at least two. That GB members are pompous clowns, or that they consider their listeners to be mentally narrow people who do not know right from wrong.
How can JW members not see that, in fact, the GB blames Jesus because the spiritual food in 1078 languages, which the GB proudly pronounces, is not perfect, is full of error and is untrustworthy.

Unfortunately for you, even this extended context doesn't help GB. Here GJ says that, we view ourselves as ...,
GJ did not dare to claim before Judge that Jesus chose and appointed them, but says, in fact, that their own feeling/emotions and theological ideas are the cause of the self-selected role in which they are just one of many who are spokesmen for God.
Any JW who does not see the true state of affairs that is being revealed more and more day by day is living in his own fantasy and cognitive dissonance. Maybe it's not nice to say, but I feel sorry for all of you.

They are affected by the syndrome of their own greatness and importance. They tend to change theology.

I understand that the 144k and the gb are the only ones under the new covenant?

Elephant tusk
 

 
Elephant skin
 

 
Elephant hair
 

 
Elephant mama
 
(It's just the perspective.)
 
 
Amen! ☺️ What seems to be unusual and unpredictable may actually be something familiar and constant, when viewed in context with the right diopter.
 
Jehovah was dealing with a stubborn, physical-minded people. They lived around people who sacrificed children and had multiple immoral relations and slaves. Jehovah permitted them to have animal sacrifices for awhile, but that changed when Jesus came. Jehovah permitted them to have slaves with regulations, but that began to change when Jesus came. Jehovah permitted them to have multiple wives, but that changed when Jesus came.
 
The people were warlike. (Think of what Simeon and Levi did in Shechem.) They lived among nations who were bloodthirsty. Jehovah regulated their warfare so it wouldn't be worse, but that changed when Jesus came. 
 
Jehovah hasn't changed. Jehovah is reasonable, and He knows how stubborn people are. He doesn't expect more than they can give. He is patient. He has been so patient.
 
The Bible record of the Old Testament records many things that people did. Just because Jehovah had it recorded doesn't mean He approved of some of the things the people did. Just because He regulated it doesn't mean it was the ideal way He wanted things to be. 
 
Some things that appear "harsh" at first glance are better understood with more details. 🙂
 
Jesus said if we don't understand at first, to keep asking for details, and we will get them.
 
 
I have heard people say that too. Why do you think some people say "that Jewish God is unusual and unpredictable"? What specific situations in the Old Testament do you think most people misunderstand, @Srecko Sostar ?

I see Sir you made copy/paste from this link -  https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/come-follow-me-for-aaronic-priesthood-quorums-and-young-women-classes-doctrinal-topics-2021/14?lang=eng
Well, yes, Russell believed that the truth is always the truth, even if Satan said it. Mormons are also people who believe they are telling the truth regardless of not believing the same doctrines as WTJWorg.
This second highlighted sentence, which is bold, is interesting - "It can be easier to obey the commandments when we understand the reasons behind them."  In fact, it is the opposite of GB's claim that they should be trusted and how members have to follow their instructions even if JW members do not understand them.
WTJWorg religion is manipulative.
 

Jesus said there would be weeds among the wheat. It will be a beautiful day when the weeds are removed, and Jehovah's name is cleared of reproach.🙂💖

"Nevertheless, the hour is coming, and it is now, when the true worshippers will worship the Father with spirit and truth, for indeed, the Father is looking for ones like these to worship him.  God is a Spirit, and those worshipping him must worship with spirit and truth.”  The woman said to him: “I know that Mes·siʹah is coming, who is called Christ. Whenever that one comes, he will declare all things to us openly.”  Jesus said to her: “I am he, the one speaking to you.”"
 
(John 4:23-26)
 
Jesus is coming. He will make it clear which doctrines are true and which are false. Thankfully, "love covers a multitude of sins."
 
(Isn't there somebody on here who likes to say "Hanlon's razor" quite a bit?😁)
 
Jesus' name means "Salvation of Jah" or "Jehovah is Salvation".
 
"Righteous Father, the world has, indeed, not come to know you, but I know you, and these have come to know that you sent me.  I have made your name known to them and will make it known, so that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in union with them."
 
(John 17:25,26)
 
"...they will have to know that I am Jehovah.  I will make my holy name known among my people Israel, and I will not allow my holy name to be profaned any longer; and the nations will have to know that I am Jehovah, the Holy One in Israel."
 
(Ezekiel 39:6,7)

Did Russell write that somewhere in his diaries, memoirs? 
You claim that he was looking for a new approach in one of the countless "false religions"? Funny.
Unnecessary and unimportant conclusion. Adventists and Russell are not the only ones who show zeal and still remain in their delusions. And the Pharisees were zealous. Zealots were also zealous and many other groups. JWs are also zealous, so this does not save them from useless and dangerous interpretations and actions. And Paul was a zealous persecutor in one part of his life.

If I accept a deck of cards from you, I can arrange them by suit, or by number, or I can attempt to build a house of cards with them. The cards don't change, just how I organize them changes. How Matt wants to organize certain Christian groups is his prerogative. The research I referred to was researching that those groups exist or existed.  You can prefer whatever method of organizing them pleases you, mi' lord.
 
 
What "truth" are you talking about? What "accurate" are you talking about? Maybe you would be willing to 'splane it.  It's a chart with the names of some religious groups written on it. While the chart shows some basic generalized branches, the only truly accurate completely detailed chart would show each individual in each group and what religious persuasion they originated from, how their views changed over time and where they are at present. Only Jehovah knows all that. And what good would all that info be to anyone anyway? The real information we need is free anyway...
 
"Buy truth and never sell it."
 
(Proverbs 23:23)
 
"...let anyone who wishes take life’s water free..."
 
(Revelation 22:17)
 
"You received free, give free."
 
(Matthew 10:7)
 
 
 

Prehistorical theories are based largely on guesses by people who weren't there telling stories about things for which there is no written record by any witnesses (except for what Jehovah as a witness inspired to be written in the Bible).
 
Historical analyses such as this video have a basis in recorded history, documents with absolute dates on them, photographs, etc. Matt analyzed the documents and organized the religious traditions in a way that makes sense to him. Whether or not a person has a degree makes no difference in their ability to tell truth. He's telling the truth as he sees it. 
 
Matt didn't seem to be preaching to anybody about his personal religious persuasion, it seemed like he was just mentioning his personal beliefs in passing. 
 
The same information could be presented in other ways and still be the truth. Instead of making branches based on time of changed doctrine, the various groups could be organized by similar beliefs (example hellfire or Trinity or congregation hierarchy or shunning etc.) or by geographical growth or by socioeconomic factors or something else.
 
The chart helps to identify some interesting parallels between the  modern-day organization of Jehovah's Witnesses and the ancient nation of Israel. The Bible says Israel was the smallest of nations when Jehovah chose to deliver them from Egypt and give them a place, making them a people for His name. Jehovah's Witnesses are tiny compared to many other religions. Additionally, the Israelites were supposed to represent Jehovah, but they ended up doing things worse than the peoples whose land they dispossessed. Today, Jehovah's Witnesses as an organization claim to represent the God of the Bible whose name is identified by the tetragrammaton, and they claim to obey the law of the Christ sent by Jehovah, yet the degree of disobedience to that law is appalling. Organization wide, traditions of men supersede adherence to the Word of God.
 
Just as Jehovah disciplined His ancient Name People when they refused to turn around from reproaching His Holy Name, so it will be the same again today. The Bible shows all religious institutions will be given attention by the nations per God's command, but specifically the one that claims to represent God using His Name will be given extra disciplinary attention for the sake of cleansing God's Name of reproach.
 
"Indeed, everyone to whom much was given, much will be demanded of him, and the one who was put in charge of much will have more than usual demanded of him."
 
(Luke 12:48)
 
 

Especially now with all the A.I. stuff going on lol 😆 
To find anyone who gives regular information that is unbias is like finding pieces of silver in tall grass. 

That Jewish God is unusual and unpredictable at times.  ..., Jewish people too.
 
It is not always possible to find the right diopter on the first try.  

Not all blind ones have come close to "the elephant in the room", but some of them have. Sometimes it's just a slightly different perspective of the same thing.
 
At the end of the day, when the blindfolds are removed, they'll all see "the elephant in the room" for what it really is.
 

 
"Who is blind except my servant, 
So deaf as the messenger I send?  
Who is so blind as the one rewarded, 
So blind as the servant of Jehovah?"
 
(Isaiah 42:19)
 
"And he took the blind man by the hand...he laid his hands on him and asked him: “Do you see anything?”  The man looked up and said: “I see people, but they look like trees walking about.”  Again he laid his hands on the man’s eyes, and the man saw clearly. His sight was restored, and he could see everything distinctly."
 
(Mark 8:23-25)
 
"Jehovah will go out like a mighty man. 
He will awaken his zeal like a warrior. 
He will shout, yes, he will let out a war cry; 
He will show himself mightier than his enemies.  
“I have kept quiet for a long time. 
I remained silent and restrained myself. 
Like a woman giving birth, I will groan, pant, and gasp all at once.  
I will devastate mountains and hills 
And dry up all their vegetation.  
I will turn rivers into islands 
And dry up reedy pools of water.  
I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know 
And cause them to tread on unfamiliar paths.  
I will turn the darkness before them into light 
And turn the rugged terrain into level land.  
This is what I will do for them, and I will not abandon them.”"
 
(Isaiah 32:13-16)
 

Jesus has his work cut out for him when he gets here! 🙂 There are a lot of "false truths" and more "roots of false religion" all over the place in the organization! Just like there are truths to be found outside the organization. Lots of cleaning and gathering for Jesus to do. Thank God he's qualified.☺️

The perception of the author of the video is that the JW religion originated from the Adventist movement. JWs consider Adventism to be a "false religion." But that is just the perception of JW members.
The author of the video, if I listened correctly, does not claim which religion is false and which is true. You Sir set your perception that Russell was under the influence of a "false religion" until YHVH "enlightened" his mind to found a new religion which has since become "the only true one", according to the perception of JW members of course.
The comment you made includes your perception. You answered my questions according to your perception, too. Why should I open a new topic?
Another comment about "forbidding" and "allowing" Russell to see the truth. JWs have a doctrine where they claim that YHVH "allows" all evil to happen. According to this thesis, it was God, not "false religion", that made it possible for Russell not to see "the truth". In his spiritual darkness, Russell rebelled against the established religious system. But this does not mean that all the roots of "false religion" have been cut off.
By the same or a similar method, Rutherford made changes after Russell, but just like his predecessor he created new "false truths". How would Rutherford's successors be different?
The thesis that YHVH allows darkness, even over WTJWorg, is still valid, right?

It helps if you know the person creating these useful charts. I am familiar with Matt Baker. He is an education professor with no religious study background that now resides in Vancouver.
He was a Texas Tech Professor  for a while.
Do you think Matt has accurate and correct knowledge of religious movements?
His thesis was on critical thinking. How does this chart maker concur with his thesis if in his own words in the video indicate “I will argue it includes Jehovah Witnesses” comment?
I don’t see that as critical thinking.
He has authored a few books. Some of his latest works are © Copyright Matthew Baker: Next level landlord-Join the top 5% and develop HMO’s and co-living spaces where tenants stay and pay. How the countryside made me.