Jack Ryan

Since Jehovah's Witnesses seem to have made it a recurring event to attend the human rights conferences of the OCSE, I checked the OCSE website if they did so again this year.
I found something else that I haven't heard of before:

The European Association of Jehovah's Witnesses,
Religious Freedom Subcommittee
 
Based in UK and/or Belgium this Jehovah's Witnesses' committee submits statements and document to the OCSE, the UN, and others.The submissions are all about protecting the human rights, freedom of religion, and assets of Jehovah's Witnesses.
It is unclear whether any official representation of Jehovah's Witnesses actually attended in person some of the meetings and conferences for which submissions or statements were submitted. They have done so in the past for OCSE conferences.
A few of the documents submitted by Religious Freedom Subcommittee of The European Association of Jehovah's Witnesses:
Submission to the Comittee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (20-11-2017)
https://rm.coe.int/native/090000168076c93a
Statement for the OSCE Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting 1-2 April 2019, Vienna
https://www.osce.org/odihr/415922
https://www.osce.org/odihr/415919
Submission to the UN Human Rights Committee (02-06-2019)
https://tbinternet.ohchr.org/Treaties/CCPR/Shared%20Documents/GNQ/INT_CCPR_CSS_GNQ_35119_E.docx
Contribution to the Report of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights (05-07-2018)
https://www.upr-info.org/sites/default/files/document/eritrea/session_32_-_january_2019/eajcw_upr32_eri_e_coverpage.pdf
Submission to the UN Human Rights Committee CCPR (29-04-2018)
https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/1443712/1930_1537354367_int-ccpr-ico-eri-26085-e.doc
Contribution for the 33rd session (6-17 May 2019) of the UPR Democratic Republic of Congo
https://www.upr-info.org/sites/default/files/document/congo_democratic_republic/session_33_-_may_2019/eajw_upr33_cod_e_main_rev.pdf
What is the UPR?
 
For the record: I do not deny Jehovah's Witnesses the right to stand up for their interests, and demand from governments and international organizations that human rights are protected.
But it's odd that they are so fiercely opposed to political involvement, yet petition governments and ministers on regular basis.
It's very odd that Jehovah's Witnesses petition the United Nations to protect their religious freedoms, and at the same time they believe the UN to be the very entity that will attack all religions.
 

Not being sexist.
If the Governing Body want to interpret it so literally, it should only be virgin men according to revelation

International anthem of the United Nations

This is almost certainly because the jw.help logo is a blatant ripoff of the “jw.org” trademark.

I hate to say this, and I'm not a lawyer, but jw.help is gonna lose this one badly and should put up a completely different logo and beg forgiveness immediately. It's pretty clear jw.help is “diluting” jw.org by having an official-looking logo and serving as an alternate source of information about the org.
Hopefully they get to keep the name. That's pretty sweet.

Watchtower Society attacks jw.help
The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania has blocked our YouTube channel and our Instagram account for alleged trademark infringement. It is to be feared that further Internet appearances will be affected.
We strongly disagree with this alleged trademark infringement. The brand jw.help is protected in Germany. Therefore, we will take legal action to defend jw.help.
On the one hand, we are pleased that our work is even registered as far as the USA, as we mostly turn to a German audience. On the other hand, this approach also shows how Jehovah's Witnesses are trying by all means to eliminate critics and enlighteners.
Please support us in our efforts to continue to educate Jehovah's Witnesses and other sects and to advise and assist their victims. Especially in the current situation, we depend on their donations.
We would like to thank all those who already support us!
http://jw.help/2019/08/29/watchtower-society-attackiert-jw-help/

On Thursday someone posted a video of the new IKEA catalogue, the video was made by a JW and sent to an ExJW. They were really happy about Ikea using the ’My Book Of Bible Stories’ in their Swedish paper catalogue.  So a few of us took to Twitter to Tweet IKEA about why we had a problem with this.  I then emailed them an in-depth email with Watchtower links to the Child Sex Abuse and Domestic Violence articles. IKEA were very quick to respond to my email and have changed the book in the 5 catalogues I’ve seen online so far. I’m impressed by how they acted on this.  Due to JwOrg having corrupt and harmful policies i thought it was necessary IKEA knows about it.  I will add the e-mails and Tweets in this vid. IKEA’s reply was good.
 

1877_Advent_Christian_Times_Barbour_Russell.pdf
They stated that Russell
was causing divisions in adventists circles
that he was preaching a different gospel/doctrine to his church at that time
subversion
they try to 'belittle' him
their own boast that they have not succeeded
do NOT go near them (shunning) or give them any support (countenance)
In essence the words used labels Russell as an 'apostate' to his current church at that time.
BONUS: If you look at the header of the paper the symbol of the Advent Christian Times is suspiciously close to the one Russell "created" for the Bible Students (or not to say the same, but without the laurels at the sides).

This is almost certainly because the jw.help logo is a blatant ripoff of the “jw.org” trademark.

I hate to say this, and I'm not a lawyer, but jw.help is gonna lose this one badly and should put up a completely different logo and beg forgiveness immediately. It's pretty clear jw.help is “diluting” jw.org by having an official-looking logo and serving as an alternate source of information about the org.
Hopefully they get to keep the name. That's pretty sweet.

William Henry Conley. Co-owner of the Riter Conley company that provided steel and manufactured goods during the second industrial revolution. The first president of “Zions Watchtower” which would later be replaced with Charles Taze Russell. Conley eventually didn’t want to be associated with Russell, he didn’t agree with his pyramid theories and thought his 1874 prediction of Armageddon was ludicrous. So he disassociated himself to care for his wife whom he felt was more important than Russell’s cult following at the time. Russell went on to use Conley's $11 million today equivalent to fund his exhibition, and then Conley went on to believe the organization only wanted him for his money which he went to his grave believing. Upon his death, all trace of his existence and founding of Zions Watchtower was erased. An announcement was not made in Zions Watchtower, Russell did refer to him as “an original Allegheny bible student” though. Russell once believed Conley to be anointed, but do to “succumbing to worldliness and falling out, may be given another chance to awake with the great crowd on an earthly resurrection as a man who was hardworking and loyal.” THAT'S all Russell had to say about the president, the first president and founding member. This information wasn’t found out until 45 years later.
Even the @The Librarian mentioned him in his articles such as this one:


Birth 11 Jun 1840 Death 25 Jul 1897 (aged 57) Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA Burial Highwood Cemetery • Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA Plot Section R Memorial ID 62936475 · View Source  

This is almost certainly because the jw.help logo is a blatant ripoff of the “jw.org” trademark.

I hate to say this, and I'm not a lawyer, but jw.help is gonna lose this one badly and should put up a completely different logo and beg forgiveness immediately. It's pretty clear jw.help is “diluting” jw.org by having an official-looking logo and serving as an alternate source of information about the org.
Hopefully they get to keep the name. That's pretty sweet.

Watchtower Society attacks jw.help
The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania has blocked our YouTube channel and our Instagram account for alleged trademark infringement. It is to be feared that further Internet appearances will be affected.
We strongly disagree with this alleged trademark infringement. The brand jw.help is protected in Germany. Therefore, we will take legal action to defend jw.help.
On the one hand, we are pleased that our work is even registered as far as the USA, as we mostly turn to a German audience. On the other hand, this approach also shows how Jehovah's Witnesses are trying by all means to eliminate critics and enlighteners.
Please support us in our efforts to continue to educate Jehovah's Witnesses and other sects and to advise and assist their victims. Especially in the current situation, we depend on their donations.
We would like to thank all those who already support us!
http://jw.help/2019/08/29/watchtower-society-attackiert-jw-help/

Oh yeah, the LOVE is so evident.

William Henry Conley. Co-owner of the Riter Conley company that provided steel and manufactured goods during the second industrial revolution. The first president of “Zions Watchtower” which would later be replaced with Charles Taze Russell. Conley eventually didn’t want to be associated with Russell, he didn’t agree with his pyramid theories and thought his 1874 prediction of Armageddon was ludicrous. So he disassociated himself to care for his wife whom he felt was more important than Russell’s cult following at the time. Russell went on to use Conley's $11 million today equivalent to fund his exhibition, and then Conley went on to believe the organization only wanted him for his money which he went to his grave believing. Upon his death, all trace of his existence and founding of Zions Watchtower was erased. An announcement was not made in Zions Watchtower, Russell did refer to him as “an original Allegheny bible student” though. Russell once believed Conley to be anointed, but do to “succumbing to worldliness and falling out, may be given another chance to awake with the great crowd on an earthly resurrection as a man who was hardworking and loyal.” THAT'S all Russell had to say about the president, the first president and founding member. This information wasn’t found out until 45 years later.
Even the @The Librarian mentioned him in his articles such as this one:


Birth 11 Jun 1840 Death 25 Jul 1897 (aged 57) Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA Burial Highwood Cemetery • Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA Plot Section R Memorial ID 62936475 · View Source  

In previous decades, when someone was disfellowshipped, they were told their time would be 6 months. Now it’s a full year?
Why did that change from 6 mo to a year? and are they getting more ppl to come back with the increased time? With the less members staying in the org, you would think they want to lower the “jail time “
Also are there any other religions that gives you months or years of time out, if you commit a sin, even if you actually want to come back?
Also any former elders here? Why is there a standard set time for everyone? And why can they reject someone’s letter who wants to come back? Don’t they need more members ?

JW.borg: lovingly and firmly restraining women from participating in liberation movements to fight for equality since the 1870s.
Because we can’t have women getting all uppity and demanding equal rights! 🤦🏽‍♀️

It is heartbreaking to hear the woman who expects her family to reject her for speaking out. She is very brave.
One thing, the video mentions a bill in the US Senate that would require clergy of all faiths to report child abuse. It appears that that bill is on hold due to lack of support. I am very disappointed that our country is choosing to protect institutions and abusers over children. https://sd13.senate.ca.gov/news/2019-07-09-senator-hill-places-senate-bill-360-hold

https://www.vl.no/nyhet/fjern-statsstotten-til-jehovas-vitner-1.1569015
This story is out today!
For context:
https://www.reddit.com/r/exjw/comments/cn1oag/made_national_news_on_government_level_today_hit/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x
https://www.reddit.com/r/exjw/comments/cnzy6z/massive_exposure_today_regarding_jw_and_the/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x
https://www.reddit.com/r/exjw/comments/cpqji8/my_written_opinion_regarding_jwvoting_in_the/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x
Google translate of today's development:
-Remove the state aid for Jehovah's Witnesses
MDG (Green Party) believes Prime Minister Kjell Ingolf Ropstad has only one choice: -Remove state aid from Jehovah's Witnesses. Ap (Labour Party) thinks he should have taken hold of the religious community a long time ago.
Vårt Land revealed last week that members of Jehovah's Witnesses can be expelled from the faith community if they vote in elections. Kjell Ingolf Ropstad (KrF), who is in charge of the Solberg government's belief and life policy, went out saying that voting rights for Jehovah's Witnesses could be the basis for withdrawing state aid.
At the Storting (parliament), the parties look differently at what reactions the religious community should meet with.
The clearest
MDG says it clear. The party believes the practice revealed must have serious consequences for Jehovah's Witnesses, spokesman Arild Hermstad said.
«Should Ropstad Withdraw State Aid When Religious Communities Urge Members Not to Participate in Democratic Elections?»
-«Yes. It is not acceptable for religious communities to put pressure, ban, or punish those who choose to vote. It is an obvious violation of human rights and a violation of Norwegian law. If they do not change practices, we believe they should not receive state aid,» says Hermstad.
The point of view is far supported by Rødt («Red»). Vice President Silje Kjosbakken says they "are looking into the possibility of depriving Jehovah's Witnesses support":
-«We will not ban religious communities that ask members not to exercise their voting rights, but we see no reason to give them public support either.»
Boundaries
Kari Henriksen in the Labour Party believes that Ropstad as Minister of Religion should have addressed this earlier.
«I'm a little surprised that Ropstad didn't know about the practice of Jehovah's Witnesses. It is known that they will not vote, but perhaps less well known what the consequences it will have for members who choose to vote,» says Henriksen, who is a member of the the cultural and family committee in the parliament.
«Ropstad should be invited to dialogue with Jehovah's Witnesses before threatening to deprive the state aid,» says Henriksen.
She believes that state aid should be an active tool for engaging in dialogue with closed faith communities.
«Today, the state would rather report after the aid has been distributed. Now that this has happened, Ropstad should have invited Jehovah's Witnesses to dialogue, stating clearly where the boundaries of the larger community are going.»
Surprised
SV's Freddy Øvstegård sits on the same committee as Henriksen.
«When I was younger, I knew several Jehovah's Witnesses who were politically interested but had to hide this. Therefore, they were secret members of youth parties. This was talked about in the Christian environment, so I'm quite surprised that the reactions from Ropstad are only coming now,» says Øvstegård.
He believes that Jehovah's Witnesses are not alone in having a problematic religious practice.
-«We have to be consistent in the treatment of human rights violations in several faiths. Norway must become better at cracking down on all forms of social control across religious groups.»
«Do you think it was right for Ropstad to threaten to wothdraw the state aid?»
«Yes, certainly given that they deny their members the right to vote. This is serious, and it is only now that we see this kind of abuse so clearly.»
The Center Party (SP) spokeswoman - and member of the same committee, Åslaug Sem-Jacobsen, says that the party "has noted that the Minister of Religion is now addressing the matter and will discuss it with the concerned county people":
«We hope it does not take too long and will listen to the government's assessments as they come.»
Reactions
The ruling parties are careful to comment on the possibility of state aid cuts for Jehovah's Witnesses. But KrF's parliamentary representative Jorunn Gleditsch Lossius says she "responds":
«If it is true that members of Jehovah's Witnesses can be excluded and excluded if they use the right to vote, I react strongly to this.»
«Should state aid be withdrawn when religious communities urge members not to participate in democratic elections?»
«The prime minister has now asked the individual county council to assess whether there have been violations of democratic rights and principles. And there will always be a delicate balance towards upholding freedom of belief.»
Basic
Kristin Ørmen Johnsen (H), chair of the Storting's Family and Cultural Committee, has one comment:
«It is a fundamental right to be able to vote in elections, and it is unacceptable if someone is prevented from using their right to vote.»
Left-wing faith and life-spokesperson Grunde Almeland says voting "one of the most fundamental rights of Norwegian citizens":
«If authorities threaten individuals using this fundamental right with sanctions, it is, as I feel it, an abuse of power.»
Undermines
The Progressive Party (FrP), as the only government party, is clear that they do not want to distribute state aid to any religious community.
«I think the matter gets extra serious when religion is used as an anti-democratic press», says Frps representative in the Family and Culture Committee, Morten Wold, and add:
«Faith is a private matter. Once we have public support for communities of faith and beliefs, it is absolutely essential that they do not undermine democracy and violate fundamental human rights.»
Picture in article. Photo: Xueqi Pang - the journalist.

A letter from the Spain branch was sent to elders informing them about what to do if anyone is assaulted on the carts/trolleys during public witnessing.
The letter is dated 10th July 2019 and includes a sheet with instructions that must be included with each cart. This means that we now have a legitimate document to be able to reason with active JWs.
 
The document is entitled "What to do in the case of aggression during public witnessing activity?"
First point it mentions is to call the police IMMEDIATELY, not the branch, hence highlighting that Watchtower value preaching carts more than the lives of abused children (where the Bethel branch must be called first).
 
But the real point of this post is this: Look at point 3. "If you file a complaint at the police station, what should you say?" Amongst other things, it clearly states that "carts must be reported as the property of the brothers involved in this incident" and they've even underlined it. They stress that JWs "should not say that the carts are the property of the religious denomination or congregation."
 
With me so far? Maybe you don't see anything wrong with this so let me refer you to the Elder's manual (Shepherd ver 2019, Chapter 23, point 9: Public Witnessing Equipment).
There it clearly states that "The equipment will remain the property of the congregation."
 
So why are Watchtower clearly asking their members to lie to the police in an official report? Go back to point 3 in the instructions to get the answer:
 
"The police will probably ask who owns them in order to facilitate the option of asking for compensation." Ah good old money... at the root of most things that motivates Watchtower.
So next time you see the JWs on the carts, ask them if their conscience permits them to lie to the police, not for "theocratic warfare" but for monetary compensation? What would Jesus think about that?

"The Great Tribulation has arrived!"

This is a Civil case. They won't be found "guilty" per se. They'd be found negligent or liable or whatever Zalkin is trying to prove in this case. The penalty will be financial, and there may be some stipulation of turning over documents or agreeing to meet with victims to discuss policy updates to prevent future victims. Watchtower has a huge history of not complying with those types of orders though.
VIDEO : https://www.kcra.com/article/silent-no-more-part-1-the-survivors/28659357#
The complete opposite of discreet.